{"id":2355,"date":"2018-08-17T01:08:40","date_gmt":"2018-08-17T01:08:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crunchlearning.com\/website_ec2cbfb0\/?p=2355"},"modified":"2026-02-26T10:23:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T10:23:12","slug":"aztec-daily-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crunchlearning.com\/website_ec2cbfb0\/aztec-daily-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Aztec Daily Life: A Detailed Summary"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Daily life for people living in the Aztec Empire<\/a> varied depending on the\u00a0social class<\/a>\u00a0that they belong to.\u00a0 For instance, the upper class of people were referred to as pipiltin.\u00a0 They generally lived in larger homes, were able to afford luxury items and slaves and held more power in the government<\/a>, religion<\/a> and military.\u00a0 While the middle class people referred to as macehualtin, had much more average lives.\u00a0 They worked as farmers, merchants, artisans and warriors.\u00a0 They lived in more moderate homes and could not afford as elaborate clothes or art.\u00a0 Regardless, there are several key aspects to consider about the daily life of most Aztec people, such as: clothing, education, entertainment, food, homes, religion and work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

WHO ARE THE AZTEC?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The\u00a0Aztec Empire\u00a0was a civilization in central Mexico that thrived in the time before the arrival of European explorers during the\u00a0Age of Exploration<\/a>.\u00a0 Throughout its history as a civilization the Aztec Empire expanded<\/a> across much of central Mexico and other surrounding areas, to become the most dominant and powerful people in the region.\u00a0\u00a0Tenochtitlan<\/a>, the main Aztec city (or altepetl), was the center of this vast empire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Map
Map of the Aztec Empire and Aztec Triple Alliance by History Crunch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

AZTEC CLOTHING AND DRESS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An important part of the Aztec daily life was the clothing<\/a> that the people made and wore.\u00a0 First, Aztec society<\/a> was divided between distinct classes, and the different classes wore different types of clothing.\u00a0 For example, the high priests, nobility and royalty would wear very ornate clothing while the lower classes would not.\u00a0 Second, the basic item in Aztec clothing for men<\/a> was the \u2018maxtlatl\u2019, which was a type of loincloth.\u00a0 Men would usually wear the maxtlatl with another garment that resembled a cloak called a \u2018tilmahtli\u2019.\u00a0 The timahtli were stylized differently to distinguish between the different classes in Aztec society.\u00a0 Third, Aztec women were known to wear a type of blouse called a \u2018hu\u012bp\u012blli\u2019 along with a long skirt called \u2018cu\u0113itl\u2019.\u00a0 For footwear, the Aztec nobility wore a sandal which they called \u2018cactli\u2019.\u00a0 Commoners in Aztec society were not allowed to wear these as they were viewed as a sign of status.\u00a0 As well, all Aztec people were required to be barefoot when they entered a temple or when they were in the presence of the emperor (huey tlatoani<\/a>).\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jewelry and accessories were also popular in Aztec society.  For instance, both men and women were known to wear necklaces and bracelets made of gold and different types of stones.  In general, jewelry was a status symbol for the Aztec, with the upper classes wearing more and the lower classes wearing less.  Also prominent in Aztec jewelry and dress were feathers and shells.  In fact, the blue-green feathers from the quetzal bird were highly prized and worn exclusively on the headdresses of the Aztec royalty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Aztec
The Texcoco ruler (Nezahualpilli) wearing xiuhtilmatli (blue cape), maxtlatl (loincloth), and cactli (sandals). From the Codex Ixtlilxochitl.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

AZTEC EDUCATION<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u200bEducation<\/a>\u00a0was an important part of daily life for the young people of the Aztec Empire.\u00a0 All children attended schools where they were taught the traditions and history of their people.\u00a0 In fact, education was free for all people regardless of their social class.\u00a0 At first, Aztec children were taught by their parents, until they were in their teens when they attended schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As they grew up, Aztec boys received an education that ultimately prepared them for battle and service in the Aztec military.\u00a0 For instance, boys between the ages of ten and twenty were required to attend school.\u00a0 Boys of the lower classes attended schools called Telpochcalli.\u00a0 While the boys from the nobility attended schools called Calmecac.\u00a0 The Telpochcalli schools focused on preparing the boys for warfare and teaching the boys how to use different weapons, while the Calmecac schools prepared the noble boys to be leaders in the military, priesthood and government.\u00a0 Aztec religion was also a central component of these schools, as children were taught the different gods and traditions related to each. For instance, they were instructed to recite the correct songs and poems related to each festival and practiced different dances for different religious ceremonies.\u00a0 Children of the pipiltin (nobility) were also instructed in how to play the famous ballgame\u00a0that was common throughout much of Mesoamerica.\u00a0 At the age of fifteen, the boys began training with\u00a0weaponry\u00a0and would often accompany more experienced warriors into battle, but they did not participate in the fighting.\u00a0 As well, it was during this time that the boys would usually seek the guidance from an experienced warrior to act as a mentor.\u00a0 Finally, when the boys were approximately twenty years old they joined the military ranks and became an\u00a0Aztec warrior<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Girls also attended school in the Aztec Empire but not the same ones as boys.\u00a0 Instead of focusing on warfare and weapons, girls were instructed in housekeeping.\u00a0 With that said, girls would also be taught the religious traditions and history of the Aztec Empire.\u00a0 For, instance they were instructed to learn the songs and poems of the different religious festivals and ceremonies and learned to dance.
\u200b
These schools were important for developing and fostering the\u00a0Aztec culture<\/a>\u00a0among its people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Aztec
Aztec Calmecac from Florentine Codex.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

AZTEC ENTERTAINMENT (MESOAMERICAN BALLGAME)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u200bDespite being concerned with regular military expansion throughout central Mexico, the Aztec people were also known to participate in different games and be entertained.\u00a0 One of the most important games in Aztec history was the ballgame<\/a> referred to as \u014dllamalitzli.\u00a0 The term \u2018\u014dllamalitzli\u2019 translates to \u2018rubber to play ball\u2019.\u00a0 In fact, the\u00a0ballgame\u00a0was common throughout much of Mesoamerica and was played by many different groups of people, including: Maya, Teotihuacan<\/a>, and the Aztec.\u00a0 It is believed that the game originated sometimes around 1400 BCE in modern-day Mexico, meaning it had a long history in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200bHistorians do not know the exact rules of the game, but there are some basic assumptions of how it was played.  For example, two teams would face off against each out in a \u2018ball court\u2019 which was essentially a large rectangular space. Furthermore, in the Tenochtitlan (the Aztec capital), the largest ball court was called \u2018teotlachco\u2019 meaning \u2018holy ball court\u2019.  The ball court was, of course, the location of the game but it also served purposes for other religious festivals and ceremonies.\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The game was played with a rubber ball that was approximately 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) in weight.  It is believed that the point of the game was for the players to hit the ball back and forth to each other by using their hips, forearms or thighs.  The purpose was to keep the ball in play and keep the game going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200bThe ballgame had important religious and cultural significance for the Aztec people.\u00a0 For instance, it was a major event in Aztec society that brought many people together in a common space.\u00a0 As well, historians believe that the Aztec people may have viewed the ballgame as a metaphor for the conflict between the sun and the moon.\u00a0 As such, it is believed that the Aztec associated the game closely with the god\u00a0Huitzilopochtli.\u00a0 For the Aztec he was the representation of the sun.\u00a0 He was also considered to be the national god of the \u2018Mexica\u2019 which is the term the Aztec used to refer to themselves.\u00a0 As well, he was the patron god of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan.\u00a0 In fact, there was a temple built in his and Tlaloc\u2019s honor in the center of the city called\u00a0Templo Mayor<\/a>, which some refer to as the Great Temple of Tenochtitlan. In Aztec tradition Huitzilopochtli was viewed as the sun, his sister the moon, and his brothers the stars.\u00a0 The constant movement of the sun, moon and stars was viewed by the Aztecs as an ongoing battle between Huitzilopochtli and his siblings.\u00a0 Thus, the Aztec believed that they needed to provide tribute to Huitzilopochtli<\/a> in order to ensure the sun\u2019s survival and ability to \u2018fight\u2019 each day.\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond its religious connections, the game was\u00a0a form of entertainment for the Aztec people.\u00a0 This was especially true of the pipiltin (nobility), who were taught to play the game as children in the\u00a0Calmecac schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Aztec
Mural from Teotihuacan depicting the Mesoamerican ballgame.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

AZTEC FOOD AND FARMING<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Aztec had a diverse range of food<\/a> items that made up their diet.\u00a0 With that said, because the events of the\u00a0Columbian Exchange\u00a0had not yet occurred, the Aztec where limited to locally grown foods.\u00a0 As such, since most domesticated animals originate from Eurasia, the Aztec diet was primarily based upon vegetables and fruits.\u00a0 For instance, likely the most common food item of the Aztec Empire was maize (corn).\u00a0 Maize is a cereal grain that was likely first grown by humans over 10,000 years ago in modern-day Mexico.\u00a0 As such, by the time of the Aztec Empire, maize had a long history of use in farming practices in Mexico.\u00a0 The Aztec would prepare the maize in several different ways, including grounding it down into a flour that could then be used to create a tortilla.\u00a0 Maize remains an important crop today and has spread across the world and is used in many different types of foods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Besides maize, the Aztec also had other foods that were also important, such as beans, squash, tomatoes, potatoes, peanuts, chilies, and chocolate.  In general, the vegetables listed provided the Aztec people with much of their nutritional needs.  However, the Aztec were also known to eat some animals, including: ducks, turkeys, dogs, fish, and other smaller animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Aztec
Aztec farmers harvesting maize (corn).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

AZTEC RELIGION<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u200bAn important aspect of the Aztec Empire and history was their religious beliefs<\/a> and practices.\u00a0 In general, the Aztecs shared many of their main religious beliefs and practices with other societies in the region.\u00a0 For example, some gods and religious practices were common throughout different Mesoamerican societies, including: Toltec<\/a> and\u00a0Teotihuacan<\/a>.\u00a0 As such, when learning about Aztec religion it\u2019s important to understand that much of it also applies to other civilizations throughout the history of the region.\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The concept of \u2018god\u2019 in Aztec society is referred to as \u2018Teotl\u2019 in Nahuatl, the language of the Aztec<\/a>.\u00a0 The Aztecs, like other Mesoamerican societies, had a\u00a0wide pantheon of gods<\/a>.\u00a0 As such they were a polytheistic society, which means they had many gods and each god represented different important parts of the world for Aztec people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As stated above, the gods in the Aztec religion represented different aspects of life and the world for the Aztec people.\u00a0 The aspects that the gods represented included: culture of Aztec society and Mesoamerica, nature and the natural world, creation stories, fertility, food, death and the underworld, trade and excess or entertainment.\u00a0 Each god had different attributes and personality traits and were usually represented in distinct ways by the Aztec.\u00a0 Some could take human or animal form and were celebrated in festivals and rituals.\u00a0 There were many gods in the Aztec religion but some of the most prominent included: Huitzilopochtli<\/a>, Quetzalcoatl<\/a>, Tezcatlipoca<\/a>, Mictl\u0101nt\u0113cutli<\/a>, and Tlaloc<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Aztec
Gods and religious traditions were an important part of Aztec culture. This image from the Codex Borbonicus, shows the Aztec gods: Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

AZTEC WORK<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u200bThere were several different forms of work in the Aztec Empire.\u00a0 In general, men were expected to do more laborious work while women were expected to work in the household and care for the family.\u00a0 For example, women were tasked with caring for young children, preparing meals and repairing clothing.\u00a0 Some women worked as artisans or craftspeople and sold their creations in the many different markets that were so important to the\u00a0Aztec economy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For their part, men worked in several different occupations, including: farmer, artisan, craftsman, merchant, warrior, priest or government official.  For instance, commoners or middle class citizens in the Aztec Empire (who were referred to as macehualtin) mostly worked as farmers growing crops such as maize (corn), beans and squash.  Some, who were skilled artists and creators, worked as artisans and sold their goods at market.  The Aztec referred to skilled artisans as tolteca after the earlier Toltec civilization that the Aztec admired.  The commoners were also required to work, at different times, to build and maintain the temples and public buildings in the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some macehualtin worked as merchants in the markets by selling and trading different types of goods.\u00a0 Furthermore, some men worked as long distance traders, which were referred to as pochteca.\u00a0 These men carried goods from vast distance across the Aztec Empire to different markets.\u00a0 As well, all Aztec men were expected to serve time in the Aztec military as a\u00a0warrior.\u00a0 For instance, the boys trained from a very young age to use different types of Aztec weapons and the rules and conduct of battle.\u00a0 Men of the noble class (pipiltin) were trained from a very young age to serve as high priests or in top government positions.\u00a0 These people oversaw the many Aztec ceremonies and festivals, and carried out the functions of the\u00a0Aztec government<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Aztec
Tlatelolco Marketplace from the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, United States.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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