1. For the Good of the People
Chapter 8:
For the Good of the People

2. The Aztec Social Hierarchy
On the top was the Emperor. He was elected by a council of nobles; the role wasn’t hereditary. The Emperor had to be very skilled because he was the commander-in-chief of the Aztec army.
Next was the priests, nobles, merchants, artisans and soldiers. Only 10-15% of the population belonged to nobility, but they held most of the political power. Noblemen worked as scribes, government officials and teachers. The council of nobles and some Priests also gave the Emperor advice in making decisions.
The next few levels was where all the Commoners (Farmers, fishers, women and slaves) belonged. Anyone who wasn’t a noble belonged to this class.
This is a picture of the headdress the Aztec Emperor wore

3. Signs of Status and moving up in Society
In Aztec society, there were 3 common ways they indicated what position in society you were:
Clothing
Jewelry
Size and Location of your house
The main way to move up in society was by achieving success in war. An example would be by killing someone for sacrifice. The more people you kill, the more you would rise in society

4. Aztec Education School for Commoners was called Telpochcalli
Commoners received all their instruction by spoken word
All boys trained as warriors at school
Women had to get a good education until married
School for Nobles was called Calmecac
Nobles learned how to read and write
All boys trained as warriors at school
Women had to get a good education until married

5. Aztec Citizenship
The virtues of an ideal Aztec Citizen are courage, self-sacrifice, modesty, clean living and obedience
Everyone in society was expected to obey the laws
Moctezuma was the head of the legal system
For less harsh crimes, the guilty person was fined or sentenced to slavery
For serious crimes (ex. theft) the punishment was often death
Retributive justice- dealing with law-breakers by punishing them
Restorative justice- dealing with law-breakers by requiring the offender to repair the harm done
Since slaves performed much necessary work, the Aztecs created laws for protecting their rights.
If slaves sold in marketplaces could escape and run to the Emperor’s palace, they would be free

6. Key Terms
Ocelot- A nocturnal wildcat that has a grayish or yellow coat with spots.
Calpolli- Units of organization in Aztec society. Another definition of it is groups of people who had close family ties.
Artisans- skilled craft workers.
Quetzal- A brilliantly colored bird that lives in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America.
Conscription- Mandatory military service.
Glyphs- Pictures or symbols used in writing.

7. Quiz Schools for Commoners were called _______.
3 common ways of indicating what position in society you were was clothing, _________, size and location of your house
The role of the Emperor was not __________.
Restorative justice is dealing with law-breakers by _____________________.

8. Answers Schools for Commoners were called Telpochcalli.
3 common ways of indicating what position in society you were was clothing, Jewelry, size and location of your house
The role of the Emperor was not Hereditary.
Restorative justice is dealing with law-breakers by requiring the offender to repair the harm done.