The poor/Free
The Macehualtin, or commoners, were usually occupied with jobs involving agriculture, construction, and the army. The majority of the Aztec population was involved in war, while not many people were involved in manual labor. Commoners could get an education at special schools called Telpochcalli, where they were taught general knowledge and skills and how to be good and faithful citizens. A bright and promising commoner could get a chance to go to Calmecac (the noble school), based on the scholarship system. 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. Slaves wore loincloths only. Women wore loose skirts and sleeveless blouse and men would wear loincloths and tilmas (triangular cloaks).
Slaves
Slaves were a class of people who were owned by the nobility and some wealthy citizens of the merchant class. Unlike the servants, slaves were considered property and they could be sold over and over again. A slave was considered to be the legal property of their master. Their master could make them do whatever he wanted them to do however within certain limits because even slaves had certain rights. The Aztec slaves differ a bit from the slaves we have today. Of course, the conditions of life for slaves were tough and often brutal, their lives were considered relatively free. Slaves could buy their own slaves. If slaves chose to marry, they could with their master’s permission. Any children they had were born free unless their partner was also a slave. For a slave to earn their freedom, they could otherwise buy his or her freedom, or his master could write a letter releasing the slave from slavery. Slavery was a kind of punishment for criminals and prisoners of war. Aztec fathers could sell their families into slavery to settle financial problems and debt. Slaves were also often used as sacrifices to the Aztec deities during sacred ceremonies.
Slaves were a class of people who were owned by the nobility and some wealthy citizens of the merchant class. Unlike the servants, slaves were considered property and they could be sold over and over again. A slave was considered to be the legal property of their master. Their master could make them do whatever he wanted them to do however within certain limits because even slaves had certain rights. The Aztec slaves differ a bit from the slaves we have today. Of course, the conditions of life for slaves were tough and often brutal, their lives were considered relatively free. Slaves could buy their own slaves. If slaves chose to marry, they could with their master’s permission. Any children they had were born free unless their partner was also a slave. For a slave to earn their freedom, they could otherwise buy his or her freedom, or his master could write a letter releasing the slave from slavery. Slavery was a kind of punishment for criminals and prisoners of war. Aztec fathers could sell their families into slavery to settle financial problems and debt. Slaves were also often used as sacrifices to the Aztec deities during sacred ceremonies.
Servants
Servants were also owned by nobility, but they were not considered as property of the nobility. They were also free to marry and their children was also born free, like slaves. They could also own property, slaves and even their own servants. However they could also be sold just as easily as slaves unless their owner has a document freeing them from service. They were also allowed to have businesses or trades of their own to support their families and themselves.
Servants were also owned by nobility, but they were not considered as property of the nobility. They were also free to marry and their children was also born free, like slaves. They could also own property, slaves and even their own servants. However they could also be sold just as easily as slaves unless their owner has a document freeing them from service. They were also allowed to have businesses or trades of their own to support their families and themselves.