Nobles and Commoners

How was land handled?

• held un usufruct

• allocated by tlatoaini and caloulli/calpolli

Who was the Tlataoni

• led army

• controlled land

• received tribute

• led religious ceremonies

• highest judge

• luxurious lifestyle

Who were the Tecuhtli/ pilpiltin (nobles)?

• varying status depending on achievement

• granted privileges - free houses

• military service

who were the Macehuatlin (commoners)?

• diverse

• military or labour service

• paid tribute in labour or crafts

who were the pochteca - merchants?

• exempted from military or labour services

• wealthy, but no visible display

how does Jacques soustille describe merchants?

‘ a nation within a nation’

Who were the Tlacotin (enslaved people)?

• can carry and own property

• children born free

• delinquent slaves may be sold as sacrifices

who were the Tlamaitl ‘hand of the earth’?

• manual labourers

what was one’s rank dependent on?

• success

what was the appearance of the Aztec like

• did not shave

• women of ruling classes relied on cleanliness

• accenuated simplicity

• man and women - particularly of the working class went barefoot

Soustelle on Mexican people

• houses differed deepening on rank and wealth

• luxury of the house resisted in size, number of rooms and garden