Daily Life
Aztecs lived in harmony with one another and were a united empire. The daily life of an Aztec, largely revolved around: cooking, harvesting, hunting, building and playing.
Where they lived
The Aztecs lived in the area of which is now called Central America. Their empire was the largest city of any part of America before Columbus came. Their empire continued to expand well throughout the middle ages when they prospered in the fields and trade. The Aztec’s main city was located in modern day Mexico, called Tenochtitlan until the Spanish renamed it as Mexico City.
Housing
Poorer Aztecs lived in smaller and more confined houses, and the richer or “noble” Aztecs lived in bigger houses.
The physical features of the houses covered a range of different shapes. Some has flat pole roofs and others had peaked tops. Materials such as wood, straw, stone, sand, lime, and clay were used in the construction of the huts. Lime plaster was used for the walls and had to be imported from other regions, while wood and stone could be found locally. Roofs were made of straw while the floors where made of dirt and stone.
The physical features of the houses covered a range of different shapes. Some has flat pole roofs and others had peaked tops. Materials such as wood, straw, stone, sand, lime, and clay were used in the construction of the huts. Lime plaster was used for the walls and had to be imported from other regions, while wood and stone could be found locally. Roofs were made of straw while the floors where made of dirt and stone.
Food
The ground on which the Aztecs settled was rich with nutrients. Maize or corn was the most common grain known to the Aztecs. The most common foods where maize, beans and squash. Tomatoes and peppers where grown too, along with flower crops. The Aztecs also were the first inventors of what is now known as chocolate. Traditionally, chocolate was a liquid substance mode of cacao beans and hot chilies. Later the Spanish took this recipe and took out the chilies and added
clothing
Common class - Men from lower or the slave class generally wore very little. Their wardrobe consisted of a loincloth made of cotton or fibre from the Maguey Cactus. Women wore skirts and sleeveless blouses from the same material.
Upper class – Women and men from the upper class wore the same type of clothes were worn by the commoners, only they decorated their clothes with religious symbolism, bright colours and jewellery (such as feathers, jewels, rocks and pendants.)
Military – Clothing from the military largely varied depending on what tribe they belonged to and what animal “belonged” to that tribe. For example, the Aztec tribe which had an eagle as its signature animal would dress in elaborate feathers. The military also wore headdresses and masks which blocked and shielded them from head attack.
Upper class – Women and men from the upper class wore the same type of clothes were worn by the commoners, only they decorated their clothes with religious symbolism, bright colours and jewellery (such as feathers, jewels, rocks and pendants.)
Military – Clothing from the military largely varied depending on what tribe they belonged to and what animal “belonged” to that tribe. For example, the Aztec tribe which had an eagle as its signature animal would dress in elaborate feathers. The military also wore headdresses and masks which blocked and shielded them from head attack.
Family Roles
Men – A husband may have more than one wife, however, the principal wife would bare him his heirs and take his inheritance. In many ways, the man was the dominant figure in society.
Women – Women held a significant role in Aztec tribe. Women were allowed to run businesses out of their homes. Older widows were seen as wise and were turned to for advice.
Children – Children were expected to work around the house as well as attend school When older, girls received more home-schooling from her parents (which mainly consisted of preparation for marriage), and boy trained at a junior military academy.
Women – Women held a significant role in Aztec tribe. Women were allowed to run businesses out of their homes. Older widows were seen as wise and were turned to for advice.
Children – Children were expected to work around the house as well as attend school When older, girls received more home-schooling from her parents (which mainly consisted of preparation for marriage), and boy trained at a junior military academy.
Leisure Activities
Aztec children played with marbles, stones and bows and arrows. As they grew older they played Ullamaliztli – a ball game. From a young age, children were taught the importance of music and instruments and many played and sang.