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towns, as well as by the income from lands (tlahtohcamilli) belonging to the office of the ruler. |
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Below the tlahtohqueh were the teteuctin (sing. teuctli), or lords, who held positions of varying status and authority. (The tlahtohqueh were also teteuctin.) The teuctli was head of the teuccalli (lord's house), to which some tribute-paying commoners were attached. He could also possess patrimonial lands received through inheritance. The position of teuctli was hereditary for life, with his successor nominally appointed by the tlahtoani and the teteuctin often served in the capacity of judges, meeting in the tlahtoani's palace and ruling on the affairs of commoners. |
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Below the ruling class were the pipiltin (sing. pilli), hereditary nobles who were the offspring of tlahtohqueh and teteuctin. They held many governmental positions, such as ambassador or minister of justice and were supported by the tlahtoani. They were allocated lands (pillalli) worked by mayehqueh (sing. mayeh), but these lands were considered part of the holdings of the teuccalli. There were several ranks within the pipiltin class: tlahtohcapilli (a tlahtoani's son), tecpilli or teucpilli (a teuctli's son), tlazohpilli (son of a legitimate wife), and calpanpilli (son of a concubine). |
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Below the pipiltin were the cuauhpipiltin, commoners who had achieved noble status by virtue of their deeds in war. They were freed from their tribute obligations, received lands, and took part in the deliberations of the war council with the distinguished warriors of noble rank. But the cuauhpipiltin did not enjoy full noble rights: they could have no tenants on their lands, nor could they sell their lands to commoners, they could join the knightly orders, but, although their sons became pipiltin, their humble heritage was remembered. The position of achcacauhtin (executioners, keepers of the arms, and military trainers; sing. achcauhtli) was apparently held by members of the cuauhpipiltin. |
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Below the nobility were the calpolehqueh (sing. calpoleh), the calpolli (or ward) headmen, who were responsible for watching after the interests of the members of their calpolli and representing them before the government. The position was nominally an elected one but tended to be hereditary in practice, and Zorita's sixteenth-century account indicates that they were commoners (but see the discussion in chap. 13). |
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Below the nobility were the commoners, the macehualtin (sing. |
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