Aztec Laws

The Aztecs had a sophisticated and strict system of law and order.

The emperor and his closest advisers and nobles probably made the laws. There were laws against murder, theft, crimes against the state (treason) etc., as you would expect. There were also laws against being drunk in public, practicing witchcraft, and cheating on a husband or wife.

Aztec Government - an overview

The basis of the Aztec government began long before the Aztec Empire began. The first piece of the government was the family and extended family. From the family was the calpulli. The calpulli was basically a neighborhood based government unit that ran a school and collected taxes from the citizens under its control.

Aztec Sun God

Gods and Myths were very important to the Aztec society and culture. The myths that the Aztecs believed in shaped how their society was structured and how they went about everyday life. By studying the myths and the gods, people can learn a lot about the Aztec people.

Aztec Language

The Aztecs had many influences on modern day life, and one of these influences is language. The Aztecs spoke a language called Nahuatl. During their empire's rule, the Aztecs controlled most of Mexico, and this allowed the Nahuatl language to spread. When the Aztecs were conquered, the Latin languages and alphabet influenced Nahuatl. One of these influences was that Nahuatl became what is known as a literary language. This means that it became a written language, and many pieces of poetry, legal and administrative documents, and codices were written in Nahuatl. Because of these written documents, Nahuatl can still be studied today. In fact, it is the most studied and well documented language of the Americas.

Aztec Inventions and Achievements (A Few)

The ancient Aztecs had to be problem solvers and inventors to meet the needs of a growing empire.

One of the most amazing of the Aztec's inventions was how they dealt with the water needs of the great city of Tenochtitlan. Even though the city was built on an island in the middle of Lake Texcoco, the salty lake water was not good for drinking. The Aztecs had to bring water to the city using aqueducts.

Aztec Architecture

The ancient Aztecs built beautiful, extraordinary religious structures, homes, and other buildings during their empire's reign. The Aztecs valued craftsmanship, and this can be seen in the buildings that they built.

Aztec Economy and Trade

If you could travel back in time and wander through an Aztec marketplace in a large city such as Tenochtitlan, you would witness a well developed economy and system of trade.

The Aztecs traded anything and everything. If you wanted food, you could buy rabbits, birds, dogs, fish, turkeys, and other proteins. Or, if you were in the mood for produce, you could purchase chili peppers, maize (corn), or tomatoes. Don't forget to buy some salt to bring the flavor out. If you did not want to prepare food yourself, you could purchase ready-made dishes like cornbread, pies, and drinks.

Aztec Education and Schools

You might think that boy / girl stereotypes are something born in modern times. Not so. The idea that boys should grow up strong and learn to fight is an ancient one. So too is the notion that girls should learn to sew, clean, cook, and take care of the household. In fact, the Aztecs taught these ideas early and often to their children, and it continued when Aztec boys and girls went off to school for a more formal education.

Moctezuma Meets Cortes - Nov 8, 1519

On November 8, 1519, Aztec Emperor Moctezuma and Spanish Conquistador Hernan Cortes met for the first time outside the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlan.

Aztec accounts of the event, compiled by Miguel Leon-Portillo shortly after and published as The Broken Spears, claim that Moctezuma (also Montezuma) believed Cortes was a god.

“Our Lord, you are weary. The journey has tired you, but now you have arrived on the earth. You have come here to site on your throne, to sit under its canopy.”

The accounts also say that Cortes told Moctezuma, “We have come to your house in Mexico as friends. There is nothing to fear.”

Moctezuma would soon be dead, and Cortes would be the ruler of New Spain.

A critical moment in history? I would say so.