The glory of the Aztec Empire is largely buried beneath Mexico City.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, the Aztec Empire dominated Mexico. Like other ancient empires, the Aztec Empire was ruled by members of a powerful noble class. Aztec nobles reveled in luxury and Aztec law ensured that they had access to the finest food and goods from across the empire.
Clothing
Aztec men wore a loincloth called a "maxlatl" and a tunic called a "tilma," which resembled ancient Greek tunics. Women wore a skirt called a "cuietl" and a blouse called a "huipilli." Aztec laws strictly controlled how people dressed. Although commoners could earn wealth, they were not allowed to wear fancy clothes and adornments. Nobles, on the other hand, reveled in their finery. They wore feathered headdresses, feathered capes, richly embroidered tunics, jaguar skins, gold, jewels and body paint. Even their sandals were decorated with gems, gold and jaguar skin.
Palaces
Administrative palaces served as meeting places for local governments and the residence of a local lord. They featured a large courtyard that opened onto the city's plaza and served as a public meeting place. The courtyard was typically surrounded by buildings containing rooms similar to modern offices. An Aztec noble's private mansion was a reward from the "tlatoani," or emperor, for exceptional military service. They typically had flat roofs, polished stone walls and polished mortar floors. The Aztecs loved plants and palaces frequently featured gardens and orchards.
Land Ownership
Only nobles could own land on an individual basis. Nobles either bought it from fellow nobles or received it as gift from the "tlatoani" for outstanding service to the empire. A noble could leave land he purchased to his heirs or sell it. Land the noble received from the emperor sometimes came with stipulations that it had to be returned to the emperor when the owner died.
Education
Aztec parents sent their children to school between the ages of six and 13. The Aztecs had two kinds of schools. Nobles and exceptional commoners were educated as government officials and priests at the "calmecac." Subjects included citizenship, government, arithmetic, astronomy, architecture, administration of justice, calendar interpretation, religious rituals, military skills, hunting, herbalism and music. Commoners were educated at the "telpochcalli," which taught citizenship, social customs, morality, history, music, religion and military skills. Girls studied domestic chores such as cooking, weaving and sewing. Some became priestesses, midwives or marriage arrangers. However, Aztec women were predominately housewives.
Food
While Aztec commoners made due with simple fare such as tortillas, beans and porridge, Aztec nobles feasted on a wide variety of flavorful foods that chef Rick Bayless considers the ancestors of modern Mexican cuisine. Meats included turkey, duck, quail, pigeons, deer, dog, fish and shellfish. Produce included avocados, tomatoes, coconuts, pineapples, prickly pears, sweet potatoes, corn, potatoes, beans and squash. Dishes were seasoned with chile and an herb called epazote. They were served with sauces such as "pipian," made from ground pumpkin seeds, red chiles and tomatoes. Beverages included a frothy chocolate drink called "xocolatl" and "octli," also called "pulque," a wine made from the agave plant, the source of modern tequila.
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