Soical Hierarchy
Levels of Society
The Aztec civilization was highly developed socially, intellectually, and artistically. This highly structured society has a strict caste system. It was based on agriculture, trade, and guided by religion. There are three social classes, the Pipiltin (Upper class) which included Nobles, Warriors, and Priests. The Macehualtin (Middle class) included commoners. The lower class, the Mayeques (commoners) included peasants and Tlacotin (slaves).
* Nobles (highest in power)
* Commoners (the majority of population, were mostly farmers)
* Serfs (worked land for the nobles)
* Slaves (consisted of those captured and indebted who couldn’t pay
Women in the Aztec empire cared for the household and family, could NOT have a position of power, could do crafts, run businesses and control their own property. They received legal protection
from marital abuse and if a marriage ended, women had automatic custody of children.
Men in the Aztec empire did physical work and were forced to join the army when soldiers were needed. The children in the Aztec empire started work around age 5. Girls married in mid-teens and boys married late teens, early twenties.
The Aztec people had their rights protected by a system of written laws. This legal system served to remind people of their responsibilities as citizens to be honest and obedient. All citizens had to obey the laws including the nobles, who were expected to set an example for the rest of society. Since the nobles were expected to set an example, they were treated more harshly. The Aztecs realized that the slaves performed very important work, and for this reason they had laws to protect their rights. Nobles could not beat slaves without being punished (sometimes by execution). Slaves could also win their freedom if they could escape and run to the emperor’s palace. Slaves could keep their property,
including their own slaves, until they paid their debts and took their place in society again. Children born of slaves were considered free.
* Nobles (highest in power)
* Commoners (the majority of population, were mostly farmers)
* Serfs (worked land for the nobles)
* Slaves (consisted of those captured and indebted who couldn’t pay
Women in the Aztec empire cared for the household and family, could NOT have a position of power, could do crafts, run businesses and control their own property. They received legal protection
from marital abuse and if a marriage ended, women had automatic custody of children.
Men in the Aztec empire did physical work and were forced to join the army when soldiers were needed. The children in the Aztec empire started work around age 5. Girls married in mid-teens and boys married late teens, early twenties.
The Aztec people had their rights protected by a system of written laws. This legal system served to remind people of their responsibilities as citizens to be honest and obedient. All citizens had to obey the laws including the nobles, who were expected to set an example for the rest of society. Since the nobles were expected to set an example, they were treated more harshly. The Aztecs realized that the slaves performed very important work, and for this reason they had laws to protect their rights. Nobles could not beat slaves without being punished (sometimes by execution). Slaves could also win their freedom if they could escape and run to the emperor’s palace. Slaves could keep their property,
including their own slaves, until they paid their debts and took their place in society again. Children born of slaves were considered free.