The Aztec Social Hierarchy On the top was

The Aztec Social Hierarchy • On the top was the Emperor. He was elected by a council of nobles; the role wasn’t hereditary. The Emperor had to be very skilled because he was the commander-in-chief of the Aztec army. • Next was the priests, nobles, merchants, artisans and soldiers. Only 10 -15% of the population belonged to nobility, but they held most of the political power. Noblemen worked as scribes, government officials and teachers. The council of nobles and some Priests also gave the Emperor advice in making decisions. • The next few levels was where all the Commoners (Farmers, fishers, women and slaves) belonged. Anyone who wasn’t a noble belonged to this class. This is a picture of the headdress the Aztec Emperor wore

Signs of Status and moving up in Society • 1. 2. 3. • In Aztec society, there were 3 common ways they indicated what position in society you were: Clothing Jewelry Size and Location of your house The main way to move up in society was by achieving success in war. An example would be by killing someone for sacrifice. The more people you kill, the more you would rise in society

Aztec Education • School for Commoners • School for Nobles was called Telpochcalli called Calmecac • Nobles learned how to • Commoners received all read and write their instruction by • All boys trained as spoken word warriors at school • All boys trained as • Women had to get a good warriors at school education until married • Women had to get a good education until married

Aztec Citizenship • The virtues of an ideal Aztec Citizen are courage, selfsacrifice, modesty, clean living and obedience • Everyone in society was expected to obey the laws • Moctezuma was the head of the legal system • For less harsh crimes, the guilty person was fined or sentenced to slavery • For serious crimes (ex. theft) the punishment was often death • Retributive justice- dealing with law-breakers by punishing them • Restorative justice- dealing with law-breakers by requiring the offender to repair the harm done • Since slaves performed much necessary work, the Aztecs created laws for protecting their rights. • If slaves sold in marketplaces could escape and run to the Emperor’s palace, they would be free

Key Terms • Ocelot- A nocturnal wildcat that has a grayish or yellow coat with spots. • Calpolli- Units of organization in Aztec society. Another definition of it is groups of people who had close family ties. • Artisans- skilled craft workers. • Quetzal- A brilliantly colored bird that lives in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. • Conscription- Mandatory military service. • Glyphs- Pictures or symbols used in writing.

Quiz 1. Schools for Commoners were called _______. 2. 3 common ways of indicating what position in society you were was clothing, _____, size and location of your house 3. The role of the Emperor was not _____. 4. Restorative justice is dealing with law-breakers by ___________.

Answers 1. Schools for Commoners were called Telpochcalli. 2. 3 common ways of indicating what position in society you were was clothing, Jewelry, size and location of your house 3. The role of the Emperor was not Hereditary. 4. Restorative justice is dealing with law-breakers by requiring the offender to repair the harm done.