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macehualli), who formed the bulk of Aztec society. They were organized by calpolli, worked with their hands, and paid tribute in goods and labor until the age of fifty-two. However, some particularly important commoner groups, such as the merchants and artisans, were exempt from some types of labor obligations and paid tribute in their wares. |
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Another group of commoners, the mayehqueh or tlalmaitin (sing. tlalmaitl), were permanent laborers on the patrimonial lands of the nobility. This was a hereditary position, and except for war service the mayehqueh were exempt from tribute obligations. |
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Below both the macehualtin and the mayehqueh were the slaves (tlatlacohtin; sing. tlacohtli). These slaves had usually sold themselves into service, although some had been enslaved as punishment for criminal acts. The rights of their owners were limited, and except for labor, slaves were free, could marry, and could own property, including other slaves. Not all of these social groups were eligible for military service, nor did everyone who was eligible aspire to it. But those who did received lengthy and professional training. |
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Warfare no doubt emphasizes people's aggressive behavior. Certainly the Spanish conquistadors saw it thus in the Aztecs. The Anonymous Conqueror
6 described them as very warlike and fearless, facing death with absolute determination, and Cortés7 reported that they were courageous men. The ability to face death on the battle-field was a valued trait, one that was not innate but was learned from an early age. |
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Two separate types of schools offered military training; the telpochcalli and the calmecac. Which school one entered depended largely on heritage. The following account presents the idealized sequence of events. |
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Four days after a male child was born, he was given the symbols of his father's profession. If the father was a soldier, these were a shield and arrows, and the child's umbilical cord was then buried with the weapons in the direction from which the enemy was expected. If the parents wished the child to serve in the army, when he was twenty days old he was taken to a schoolthe telpochcalliand presented to the master of youths (tiachcauh; pl. tiachcahuan) or instructor of youths (telpochtlahtoh; pl. telpochtlahtohqueh), |
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