How did the Social Systems of the Aztec Reflect their Worldview
Aztec society was highly structured, based on agriculture and trade, and guided by a religion that was part of every aspect of life.
They had a hierarchical system of authority that was divided into three social classes: upper, middle and lower.
Nobility
.•Pipiltin were the upper, ruling class (government, army & priests) •Emperor- huey tlatoani (high priest too)•Land ownership based on social class•Pipiltin had to follow strict behavior code (role models)•Nobility kept all records and gained honor
Commoners
Macehualtin were the middle class (military, priests, merchants, artisans, or long-distance traders)
Warriors were next to nobility – very important, exemplary leaders and judges of petty crimes
Macehualtins became very wealthy usually through trading
Mayeques (peasants) worked for nobles and received land and payed taxes.
Tlacotin another name for slaves and they could buy their freedom Not born into slavery – choice/punishment
Division of Social Class
UPPER Huey Tlatoni (Emperor) Pipiltin (Ruling class)
MIDDLE Macehualtin
(Warriors, Priests, Pochteca, Toltecah)
LOWER Mayeques (Peasants) Tlacotin (Slaves)
Priests
Boys from all classes could study to become priests
Did not get married Top rank reserved for pipiltin They would advise the emperor and
oversee important religious functions Their most important job was to offer
human sacrifices Women could also serve as priestess
for the goddesses
Roles of Men and Women Women cared for the household and family;
some did become artisans. Men did all other physical work;
forced to join the army when soldiers were needed.
Children worked beside parents as early as age 5.
Girls marry by early teens; boys marry by late teens/early twenties.
In case of break-up, wife gets automatic custody of kids
Women enjoyed legal protections, along with a high degree of freedom.
Education Free for girls and boys Taught religious rituals and structured
classes Singing, dancing, music
Pass on traditions by dancing and singing
Long poems, stories, songs, histories were important to memorize Oral Tradition
Separate schools for upper and lower class Calmecac; Telpochcalli
Went to school until marriage Boys and girls taught separately Boys taught occupational skills, history,
religions & good citizenship Girls taught how to manage the house,
spinning & weaving
How did the Political and Economic Systems Reflect the Aztec Worldview?
Aztec Political System The emperor, huey tlatoani, was elected by
the council of wise men The council men were elected by their
calpullis (clans) made up of the greatest warriors and the wisest
priests The huey tlatoani was the representative of
Huitzilopochtli, no one could disobey him. The council of wise men could dismiss the
huey tlatoani if they disagreed with him his title/place was not heriditary.
Role of Priests in the Government
Held highest position in royal court – members of nobility.
Emperor consulted them on dreams and omens
Priests decided the days that were lucky to go to war and hold sacrificial ceremonies.
Responsible for providing music and directing religious ceremonies
Aztec Economy Tribute was an important factor –
payment to the Aztec emperor. Ensured a steady flow of goods for
the Aztec and encouraged the development of new businesses and improved the economy.
Forms of tribute – FOOD: cacao beans NATURAL RESOURCES: cotton \
LUXURY ITEMS: precious metals MILITARY SERVICE
Rulers benefited because many items were redistributed as payment for their allegiance to the emperor
Development of new businesses and improved the economy.
Tribute system continued under Spanish rule
FARMING – backbone of the Aztec economy Used for tribute or to pay taxes or trade Technological innovations such as
irrigation and dike systems led to faster & more efficient farming. Farming was done
on floating gardens called chiampas
Marshland farmers worked full time but inland farmers had to have other jobs such as producing goods made from raw materials or mining salt or stone.
Cottage industries supplied other object such as ceramic pottery, blades, obsidian tools and paper made from the inside of bark
In the cities, there were services such as barbers and herbalists and individuals who sold “fast food” (prepared good and drinks)
Some people became artisans and made jewellery from precious stones, gold and silver
The most valued artisans were the feather workers who crafted vibrantly coloured capes, garments, and ceremonial
items made from tropical bird feathers.
Good that weren’t used for tribute or taxes were sent to the MARKETPLACE
Market trade was based on barter or trade
Markets were divided into streets and each type of merchandise was sold its own street
Trade outside the marketplace was forbidden
Hernan Cortes says:
… twice as big as [a Spanish city] with arcades all around, where more than sixty thousand people come...to buy and sell, and where every kind of merchandise produced in these lands is found; provisions, as well as ornaments of gold and silver,lead, brass, copper, tin, stones, shells, bones and feathers. They also sell lime, hewn and unhewn stone, adobe bricks, tiles and cut and uncut woods of various kinds. There is a street where they sell game and birds of every species found in this land...They sell rabbits and hares and small gelded dogs which they breed for eating. There are streets for herbalists where all the medicinal herbs and roots foundin the land are sold...There are shops like barbers where they have their hair washed and shaved and shops where they sell food and drink. There are also men like porters to carry loads.
Since the Aztec did not have oxen or horses to transport goods, they transported goods by canoe along the waterways that ran down the Valley of Mexico.
Porters worked for the Pochteca (long-distance merchants) and traded finished goods and raw materials to make clothing and jewellery for the nobility.
Were also called spying merchants because they travelled to enemy territory & reported back to theEmperor
The pochteca held a high position of status in the empire.
How did the Culture of the Aztecs Reflect their Worldview?Aztec Religious Beliefs and Practices
Rituals and sacrifices Thought warrior hearts were
the best nourishment and that sacrifice kept the world together.
Believed that human blood was above all else
Sacrifices were large public events that were performed at the top of temples.
Medicine Bundles
Sacred objects of the Aztecs were bundles containing blessed corn, feathers, rubber and precious stones.
Each altepetl (city) has its own bundle that was the centre of the city
Huitzilopochtli’s bundle was kept in the main temple of Tenochtitlan.
Medicine
Religion – certain gods were thought to send illness or to heal
Magic – some diseases were thought to be sent by magic. Anyone thought to be casting spells would be condemned.
Medicine – they knew a lot about the healing properties of plants and minerals.
The Arts
Books and Codices Used picture writing
Had no alphabet Scribes and priests recorded poetry, history,
moral lessons, rituals, tribute lists, governmental and business records.
Only the elite (pipiltin) were taught to read Often wrote on deerskin, cloth or ornate
paper Painted on both sides of long paper strips The few codices that were not destroyed were
about animals and guides for living
Sculpture
Religious in nature Stone sculpture were of Gods
Were often placed in and under temples In recognition of the three levels of the
universe ▪ In recognition of gods, earth and the
underworld Smaller statues were of animals
usually jaguars and snakes maintaining balance with the natural world
Craftsmen taught their talents to their sons
Architecture Temples were the largest building in any city
The most magnificent was in Tenochtitlan Architecture was borrowed
from the Teotihuacan or Toltec
They developed the idea to divide the pyramid at the top to represent the sacred mountains
It was called Templo Mayor
Featherworks & Luxury Items
Aztecs prized feathers more than gold Feathers were rare, delicate
and brightly coloured Many luxury items such as
jewels and ornaments had no religious importance and were created to satisfy the desires of the wealthy
Artisans created jewellery, ceramics and mosaics using precious stones and jewels
The importance of time
The main calendar was called Xiuhtlapohually made up of 18 months, 20 days plus 5 extra days Each month named for a god and incorporated a religious festival
dedicated to that god Regulated agricultural activities such as planting and harvesting and
determined market days The second important calendar was the ritual calendar called
Tonalpohually 260 days People were name based on the day they were born on Eacd day associated with a specific fate that was good, bad or
indifferent. They believed that the day on which they were born would - Used to determine when their religious rituals and sacrifices should be
performed
Life was coordinated by two calendars
How did the Spanish Social Systems Reflect the Spanish Worldview?
Spanish society used the feudal system until 1486 and then switched to the seigneurial system.
Peasants were given sections of land by the lord of an estate to cultivate in return for money, goods, or services. They essesntial worked for the landlord but had more freedom.
The nobility was the smallest class and owned the most land.
There were many more peasants than business owners, but the merchant class was growing.
Nobility
Were powerful and ruled their estates almost like monarchs.
King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella took back much of the land owned by nobility.
Large tracts of land were passed on to the eldest son of nobles.
Sons studied to enter clergy or tried to gain honour (Conquistadors)
Classes of minor nobles = hidalgo Spanish nobility very much hated
manual labour and commerce, and judged an individual’s worth by social position rather than by achievement.
Commoners
Made up 90% of Spain’s population. Feudal peasants had the lowest status. Most lived and worked on nobles’
estates. Only small percentage owned land Couldn’t save money Under Ferndinand & Isabella, the middle
class began to grow. Many of the wealthy merchant class were
educated and owned land.
Priests
Roman Catholic priests became the religious leaders in local parishes or joined formal religious orders.
Parish priests often would have to look for other work to earn money to support themselves.
Priests from religious orders (Franciscan, Domincan, Salesians) were better educated and came from wealthier families▪ Religious orders were well organized & independent ▪ Religious orders operated many schools for commoners
The priests who made it to upper clergy had great status and rank.
Roles of Men and Women Similar to the roles of men and women
during the Renaissance. Women were expected to marry well and
take care of the household. Divorce was strictly forbidden in the church Some became fine writers and artisans
Men were expected to do the hard labour. Some peasant women would cultivate land
when needed Only men could hold government positions
and be involved in running a business.
Education
Under Moorish control, Spain used to be more tolerant of religion than anywhere else
Before Spain evicted them, the Jews and Muslims provided a highly respected education.
There were several universities The Spanish benefited very much from the
universities and libraries left behind by the Jews and Muslims.
Education became tightly linked with the Roman Catholic Church.
Spanish scholars began to focus on religious studies rather than humanist pursuits
Education continued…
In towns and cities there was education for most children.
Children of nobility, especially sons, were mostly tutored at home and then went on to university.
Some daughters went to school, but most received private lessons at home
Religious education was present at all levels of educaation
Some rural areas provided basic formal education to children of peasants.
Boys learned carpentry and how to farm. Girls learned how to cook and sew.
How did the Political and Economic Systems of the Spanish Reflect their Worldview?
Spanish Political System Believed only God could give someone
the right to rule. Since God appointed the monarch, no
king or queen could be removed The King & Queen had near absolute
power. Although there was a central authority,
each kingdom maintained a separate parliament
Spanish Political Systems
Spanish parliament was called the Cortes Legislations were approved by the
Cortes. King and queen could dismiss the
Cortes whenever they wished but the Cortes still controlled the treasury.
Nobles were given high ranking but had fewer oppurtunities to be involved
Role of the Church in the Government
Roman Catholic Church was often closely linked to the monarchy.
People who did not accept the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church were disloyal to the monarchy.
King and Queen reduced the power of the church.
Wanted the power to make their own decisions
Spanish Economy Barcelona and Valencia were major
seaports for importing and exporting goods.
The decrease in population due to the Black Death, resulted in a decline in both agricultural and manufacturing output.
Under Moorish rule between the 8th and 13th centuries agriculture flourished.
Olives, grapes, wheat, rice and fruit were the main products
Sheep farmers formed a guild – a powerful organization called a mesta.
Economic Problems
Nobility saw farming and businesses as the lower class
Nobility would buy land and the land would remain uncultivated.
Small businesses would purchase land with extra money instead of creating more business
Spain’s economy suffered because of little investment in agriculture & commerical efforts
When Fernindand & Isabella took over, Spanish economy improved, especially with the wool trade in Castile
However, during wars, Spain’s economy suffered again because they needed guns & weapons, not wool
Economic Problems
Nobilitles began overseas trading when Spain colonies
Spain wasn’t able to produce for both, so its colonies increased their manufacturing
Over time, Spain became one of the richest and most powerful countries.
Gold and silver eventually caused massive inflation in parts of Spain and Europe
How did the Culture of the Spanish Reflect their Worldviews?
Spanish Religious Beliefs and PracticesBelieved they would go to heaven or hell
based on how well they followed the religious teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. Included following the Bible & confession
Cathedrals were the grandest buildings in any cities and built as places to worship God.
Religion united Roman Catholics to conquer the Moors.
By the end of the Reconquista, Catholicism was the only religion allowed in Spain.
Focused on the suffering of Jesus Christ and admired both the courage and willingness of individuals to withstand suffering and sacrifice.
Conquistadors who exhibited these traits were held in high esteem
Special religious ceremonies were held to try people during the Inquisition usually ending in the execution of the person charged. • usually burned at the
stake.
The Arts
Literature
Latin was the language used by theClergy and by Spanish scholars.
Castilian was made the official language when Ferdinand and Isabelle married. later known as Spanish Having one language united the country and
developed a sense of nationalism. Troubadours spread Spanish when they
traveled and performed for the common people and for the royalty. Told tales of love, bravery, romance, poetry &
quiet life of the country
Architecture and Sculpture Spanish architecture was
strongly influenced by Muslim culture
Many Spanish homes had beautiful mosaic decorations and inside courtyards modeled after Muslim buildings
The grandest structures in Spain were Churches and Mosques
The most talented sculptors lived in Catalonia and Aragon
Painting
Spanish artist absorbed influences from different cultures, traditions & religion
Spanish artists were greatly influenced by Flemish & Italians
Spanish art was comprised of beautiful murals & frescoes most often found on the walls of churhces
Ferrer Bassa was one of the first identifiable Spanish artists
Spanish art was influenced by Moors and the King and Queen were patrons of the arts
Measurement of Time
The Spanish used the Gregorian calendar system like today's that started in 46 BCE, and had 365 ¼ days in one year.
The problem was that the summer and winter solstices were planed to be on the 25th of their respected months. By the 1500’s they were on the 11th.
To fix this problem Pope Gregory XIII decreed that the day after Thurs. Oct. 4th 1582 Fri. Oct. 15th 1582