Life in the empire
The Aztec people were broken down into a social hierarchy. At the top of this hierarchy were the nobility. The nobility included rulers, who ruled the political bodies, chiefs, who usually occupied military positions, and nobles, who were the children of the rulers and chiefs. Below the nobility were some intermediate positions in society, such as merchants and artisans. Below them were commoners. Free commoners were usually farmers or fishers. They sometimes also produced crafts. Rural tenants were commoners who worked on the private nobility lands. Slaves were the providers of urban labor for nobility. Slaves usually earned their status through criminal acts, gambling, or economic necessity.
A typical day for a man in the empire began at sunrise. They were signaled by trumpets and horns. He would get ready for his day and head off to work. Women usually rose earlier than men, and began tasks around the home, They looked after the children and animals, cooked, and cleaned.
A typical day for a man in the empire began at sunrise. They were signaled by trumpets and horns. He would get ready for his day and head off to work. Women usually rose earlier than men, and began tasks around the home, They looked after the children and animals, cooked, and cleaned.
The home
Aztec homes varied from huts to palaces, depending on social status. The stucco house was the most common type of dwelling place found in the empire. These homes usually had a garden, a yard and hearth, a large bedroom for the entire family, a bathroom, and an additional small room. Furniture which made up the house usually was sleeping mats, cushions, and cases for storage.
Clothing and hygiene
For Aztec men, clothing was two pieces: the maxtlatl, a loin cloth, and the tilmatli, a maguey blanket or cape. The loin cloth was tied around the waist, passed between the legs, and knotted at the front. Upperclassmen had loin clothes which were embroidered and edged. Some dignitaries were capes that were made of cotton, feathers, or rabbit fur. Cotton capes were usually decorated with patterns. Women wore the cueitl, skirt, and the huipilli, a blouse. The skirt reached down to the calves and was held up by a girdle at the waist. The blouse usually had an embroidered neck and hung over the skirt. Some woman went bare-breasted. These were usually women of poor families.
When it came to hygiene, the Aztecs were very clean for the time period. They usually bathed every two days in the waters of the canals or the lake. Sometimes steam baths were taken as well. Soap was used and made from a fruit. They washed their hair and wore it smoothed down or styled into two horns. Richer women painted their faces with yellow pigments.
When it came to hygiene, the Aztecs were very clean for the time period. They usually bathed every two days in the waters of the canals or the lake. Sometimes steam baths were taken as well. Soap was used and made from a fruit. They washed their hair and wore it smoothed down or styled into two horns. Richer women painted their faces with yellow pigments.
Arts and dance
Aztecs were people who had many different arts and crafts, along with music and dance. Arts included sculptures, featherwork, moasics made of stone, shells. Many Aztecs sculpted animals, and a lot of these were realistic. Metalworkers made items from gold, silver, and copper. These works were usually ornaments. Featherwork was done and sometimes included ornaments with it to make the items more exquisite. Aztec dance was usually a religious act. Songs and dances were strong and solemn.