Aztec Middle Class
The middle class was one of the largest groups in Aztec society and mainly consisted of accountants, lawmakers, merchants, quarriers, feather workers, potters, weavers, sculptors, painters, goldsmiths, and silversmiths. Below are just some of the people that were essential to the Aztec Empire. Aztec clothing was made of cotton or of a fiber that was made from Aloe. The common people often wore very simple clothing as required by the law. Women wore loose skirts and sleeveless blouse and men would wear loincloths and tilmas (triangular cloaks). As the people increased in social status, their clothing would be adorned with more color and with decoration.
Merchants
The merchants or pochteca had their own guild and were very picky and fussy about who could join their ranks. They lived a different lifestyle to other Aztecs as they lived in a separate area of the city, belonged to a merchant guild, had their own laws and judges and also worshipped their own god called Yacatecuhtli. Yacatecuhtli was the patron god of travellers and the merchants made offerings to him so that he would protect them on their dangerous journeys for trade. Through the merchants, the Aztecs were able to obtain needed goods. However, merchant's children could only marry children of other merchants in the good. The merchants went on very long, dangerous trading expeditions to all corners of the Aztec Empire. They also acted as spies, reporting back to the Aztec generals about the wealth and power of other cities.
The merchants or pochteca had their own guild and were very picky and fussy about who could join their ranks. They lived a different lifestyle to other Aztecs as they lived in a separate area of the city, belonged to a merchant guild, had their own laws and judges and also worshipped their own god called Yacatecuhtli. Yacatecuhtli was the patron god of travellers and the merchants made offerings to him so that he would protect them on their dangerous journeys for trade. Through the merchants, the Aztecs were able to obtain needed goods. However, merchant's children could only marry children of other merchants in the good. The merchants went on very long, dangerous trading expeditions to all corners of the Aztec Empire. They also acted as spies, reporting back to the Aztec generals about the wealth and power of other cities.
Feather Workers
Feather workers also had their own guild and made many very beautiful objects, However almost all of these objects has been destroyed today. There was a huge aviary in Tenochtitlan where hundreds of workers cared for the thousands of brightly coloured birds. When the birds molted, their feathers were collected, graded and then taken to the feather workers to craft. The most highly prized feathers came from the Quetzal bird.
Feather workers also had their own guild and made many very beautiful objects, However almost all of these objects has been destroyed today. There was a huge aviary in Tenochtitlan where hundreds of workers cared for the thousands of brightly coloured birds. When the birds molted, their feathers were collected, graded and then taken to the feather workers to craft. The most highly prized feathers came from the Quetzal bird.
Potters
A very unique thing about the potters of the Aztec civilisation was that they were able to make beautiful pottery without using the potter's wheel as it was unknown in Mexico. They made incredibly exquisite and beautiful cups, statues, vases and delicate bowls and plates that were sometimes adorned with precious and semi precious stones. They were very painted very well in bright and vivid coloured paintings made from nature. They would then sell these pots to the market place.
A very unique thing about the potters of the Aztec civilisation was that they were able to make beautiful pottery without using the potter's wheel as it was unknown in Mexico. They made incredibly exquisite and beautiful cups, statues, vases and delicate bowls and plates that were sometimes adorned with precious and semi precious stones. They were very painted very well in bright and vivid coloured paintings made from nature. They would then sell these pots to the market place.
Metal Workers
Metal workers only worked with gold, copper and silver as they had no iron. They used these metals to make jewelry and religious objects. As gold, copper and silver wasn't readily available to these metal workers, the only way they can get these goods is otherwise by acquiring them from merchants or tribute. Goldsmiths and silversmiths made their artwork like this. Firstly, they made a clay model of whatever they wanted to make. They then covered it with beeswax and then coated that with more clay. A small furnace was used to melt the metal. The molten metal was then poured into a hole in the top of the mould of the desired object and the heat melted the wax which was replaced by the metal. After the mould was left to cool, the clay was smashed leaving the finished metal object.
Metal workers only worked with gold, copper and silver as they had no iron. They used these metals to make jewelry and religious objects. As gold, copper and silver wasn't readily available to these metal workers, the only way they can get these goods is otherwise by acquiring them from merchants or tribute. Goldsmiths and silversmiths made their artwork like this. Firstly, they made a clay model of whatever they wanted to make. They then covered it with beeswax and then coated that with more clay. A small furnace was used to melt the metal. The molten metal was then poured into a hole in the top of the mould of the desired object and the heat melted the wax which was replaced by the metal. After the mould was left to cool, the clay was smashed leaving the finished metal object.