Chapter 8-Aztecs

Question 1

What was the Aztec Social Hierarchy? (top to bottom)

Answer 1

Emperor —> Nobility & Priests —> Merchants, Artisans, Soldiers —> Farmers, Fishers, Women —> Slaves

Question 2

How did the Aztecs show respect to their emperor?

Answer 2

Obeying without failure

Giving every possible privilege and luxury

Spectacular living conditions

Question 3

What where the emperors three responsibilities?

Answer 3

Chief Priest
Head of State
Commander in Cheif

Question 4

What were the calpollis?

Answer 4

They were neighbor hoods were people of the same job or class lived and they worshipped the same temple

Question 5

What did the councils in the calpollis do?

Answer 5

The captain and the council were elected by the people living their. The council assigned land and houses to families living their. They also collected taxes and kept the neighbourhood clean.

Question 6

Describe the merchant class.

Answer 6

The merchants made up the richest calpolli in Tenochititlan.
Went on trading expeditions into the far corners of the Aztec empire
They brought back prized goods and acted as spies for the Aztecs.
Their detailed knowledge of geography and layout of foreign cities made them valuable advisors to generals planning attacks.
They sold their goods in the market.

Question 7

Describe the farmer class.

Answer 7

Grew crops to feed the city
They were also skilled hunters and fishers.
Sold much of their crops in the market
Gave up a share of their crops as taxes.

Question 8

Describe the artisan class.

Answer 8

The high demand for finer goods kept the artisans busy
Artisans included mask makers, goldsmiths, and feather workers
The feather workers creations were the most valued items in Aztec society

Question 9

How could you tell the class or wealth of Aztec citizens?

Answer 9

Colour of clothing
Amount of Jewelry
Location and Size of house

Question 10

What were the houses of the rich like?

Answer 10

Made of sun dried brick or stone

Had separate rooms for steam bathing

Question 11

What were the homes of the poor like?

Answer 11

Huts with thatched roofs
Furniture was limited
Everyone had a garden to their own

Question 12

How did the clothes the Aztecs wore symbolize wealth and status?

Answer 12

The more decorated it was the more wealthy the person was
Quality of the cloth increased with rank
Gold was an important accessory associated with wealth
Higher class men’s robes were decorated with feathers

Question 13

What laws were still in effect when the Spanish arrived?

Answer 13

The common people were not allowed to wear cotton clothing, or they would be punished by death

No one but the noblemen could build a house with more than one story. This was also punishable by death

Question 14

How did you move up in the ranks of society?

Answer 14

You needed to achieve success on the battlefield. This was done by capturing at least four people to be sacrificed

Question 15

How did the Aztec warriors dress after they achieved a higher ranking?

Answer 15

They were dressed like a jaguar

Question 16

Conscription

Answer 16

Required to serve by law in the military

Question 17

All boys were trained as what? Why?

Answer 17

All boys were trained as warriors to defend the Aztec state

Question 18

What would boys do after they learned how to fight?

Answer 18

They would serve as soldier’s servants and follow the army to learn how warriors conducted themselves in battle

Question 19

What happened when boys turned 15?

Answer 19

They became warriors themselves and took an active role in battle.

Question 20

What were the commoners’ schools called?

Answer 20

Telpochcalli

Question 21

How were the commoners instructed at school?

Answer 21

Since they could not read or write, all instruction was spoken

Question 22

What oral lessons did the commoners receive at school?

Answer 22

They had lessons in Aztec history, religion, and citizenship duties.

Question 23

What did commoner boys spend much of their time doing?

Answer 23

They spent their time doing hard physical labor, digging ditches and carrying firewood.

Question 24

Regardless of social rank, what could girls do?

Answer 24

Any girl could attend school.

Question 25

What happened to girls at 16 years of age?

Answer 25

They usually got married and moved in with their husband

Question 26

What jobs could Aztec women have?

Answer 26

Army as doctors or healers
Priestesses
Matchmakers

Question 27

How did the Aztec citizens show the virtues of courage?

Answer 27

Aztecs were expected to show courage and deal with hardships without complaining because it made the army stronger.

Question 28

How did the Aztec citizens show the virtues of self sacrifice?

Answer 28

The group was considered more important than the individual. Every Aztec would be willing to sacrifice possessions, comfort, or even life for the good of society.

Question 29

How did the Aztec citizens show the virtues of modesty?

Answer 29

No one was to boast about personal achievements or do anything else to stand out from the crowd.

Question 30

How did the Aztec citizens show the virtues of clean living?

Answer 30

People had to keep themselves healthy and avoid over indulging in food or drink.

Question 31

How did the Aztec citizens show the virtues of obedience?

Answer 31

Everyone had to obey superiors without question, because this helped preserve the social order.

Question 32

What was it like being a slave in Aztec times?

Answer 32

They had laws protecting their rights
If slaves sold in the market could escape and run to the emperors palace, they would be freed
The Aztecs did not think it was shameful to be a slave and did not consider it a permanent condition