Below the Tlatoani, the most important official in the Mexica state was the Cihuacoatl, the “woman-serpent” or viceroy. The Cihuacoatl was the chief administrator of the Mexica state, and he served as the Tlatoani’s deputy in both civil and military affairs. The Cihuacoatl was appointed by the Tlatoani from among the highest ranks of the nobility, and he was usually a close relative of the ruler. He presided over the supreme council of the state, the supreme court, and the central administration. He was also the commander of the Mexica armies in the absence of the Tlatoani, and he played a major role in the conduct of war. The central administration of Tenochtitlan was a complex bureaucracy, with officials responsible for the various aspects of government.
The Cihuacoatl, the Viceroy
The Cihuacoatl was one of the strongest figures in Mexica society, second only to the Tlatoani himself. The Cihuacoatl was appointed by the Tlatoani from among the highest ranks of the nobility, and he was usually a close relative of the ruler, often a brother or a cousin. The Cihuacoatl served for life, and he was not subject to the Tlatoani’s authority in the same way as other officials. The Cihuacoatl had his own palace in the sacred precinct of Tenochtitlan, and he had a large retinue of officials, advisors, and servants.
The title Cihuacoatl, which means “woman-serpent” in Nahuatl, has been the subject of much scholarly debate. The title is thought to refer to the divine patron of the office, who was the earth goddess Coatlicue or one of her manifestations. The Cihuacoatl was the chief priest of the earth goddess, and he performed the rituals associated with her cult. The Cihuacoatl was also the chief judge, and he presided over the supreme court of Tenochtitlan.
The Cihuacoatl was the chief administrator of the Mexica state, and he was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the government. He supervised the collection of the tribute, the maintenance of the temples, the regulation of the markets, and the administration of justice. The Cihuacoatl was also the chief military commander, and he led the Mexica armies in the absence of the Tlatoani. The Cihuacoatl was the chief diplomat, and he negotiated treaties with foreign powers and received envoys from other states.
The Council of Four
The supreme council of the Mexica state was the council of four, which consisted of the Tlatoani, the Cihuacoatl, and two other senior officials. The council of four was responsible for the major decisions of the state, including the conduct of war, the negotiation of treaties, the appointment of officials, and the administration of justice. The council met regularly, and it was the principal forum for the discussion of the affairs of the state.
The council of four was supported by a larger council, the council of the tlatocan, which included the senior officials of the Mexica state. The council of the tlatocan was responsible for the day-to-day affairs of the state, and it was the principal administrative body of the Mexica state. The council of the tlatocan included the judges, the military commanders, the priests, the tribute collectors, and the market officials.
The Judges
The Mexica had a hierarchy of judges, with the Cihuacoatl at the top. Below the Cihuacoatl were the senior judges, who served in the supreme court of Tenochtitlan. The senior judges were drawn from the highest ranks of the nobility, and they were appointed by the Tlatoani. The senior judges heard the most serious cases, including those involving the high officials, the nobility, and the most serious crimes.
Below the senior judges were a series of lower judges, who served in the courts of the calpulli, the courts of the military orders, the courts of the markets, and the courts of the priesthood. The lower judges were drawn from the lesser ranks of the nobility and from the most respected commoners. The lower judges heard the lesser cases, including those involving the residents of the calpulli, the merchants, and the religious offenses.
The Mexica judges were required to be honest, impartial, and wise. They were trained in the calmecac and in the law, and they were required to follow the procedures of the court. The judges were paid for their service, and they were given considerable authority in the courtroom. The judges were subject to severe penalties if they were found to be corrupt.
The Tribute Collectors
The tribute collectors, the calpixqui, were the eyes and ears of the Mexica state in the subject provinces. The calpixqui were drawn from the Mexica nobility, and they were appointed by the Tlatoani for periods of several years. The calpixqui were responsible for the collection and transport of the tribute, for the supervision of the local rulers, and for the maintenance of order in the province.
The calpixqui never worked alone. Each one had a small staff of assistants — scribes, accountants, and military officers — who together kept the tribute system running. Scribes entered the payments in the codices, accountants worked out the amounts owed, and military officers protected the calpixqui and backed up his authority. The calpixqui wielded considerable power in the province, and they were often resented by the local population.
The Military Commanders
The Mexica had a hierarchy of military commanders, with the Tlatoani and the Cihuacoatl at the top. Below the Cihuacoatl were the senior military commanders, who led the Mexica armies in the field. The senior military commanders were drawn from the highest ranks of the nobility, and they were appointed by the Tlatoani. The senior military commanders included the leaders of the Eagle Warriors and the Jaguar Warriors, who were among the most respected figures in Mexica society.
The military commanders were responsible for the organization and training of the Mexica armies, for the conduct of the campaigns, and for the capture of prisoners for sacrifice. The military commanders were required to be skilled in the use of weapons, in the tactics of warfare, and in the leadership of men. The military commanders were also required to be brave and disciplined, and they were expected to lead their men in person during the battles.
The Priests
The Mexica had a large and well-organized priesthood, with the high priest of the Templo Mayor at the top. The high priest, called the quauhpitzahuac, was appointed by the Tlatoani, and he was one of the strongest figures in Mexica society. The high priest was responsible for the maintenance of the Templo Mayor, the performance of the most important religious rituals, and the supervision of the other priests.
Below the high priest were a series of lesser priests, who served in the temples of the various gods. The lesser priests were responsible for the day-to-day affairs of the temples, for the performance of the daily rituals, and for the training of the novices. The lesser priests were drawn from the sons of the nobility who had been trained in the calmecac, and they were expected to maintain the highest standards of religious observance.
The Pochteca, the Merchants
The pochteca were a class of professional merchants who served as the principal commercial agents of the Mexica state. Drawn from the commoners and organized into a hierarchy of ranks, the senior pochteca were among the most respected figures in Mexica society. In foreign territories the pochteca acted as informal envoys: they were required to report on the rulers, the markets, and the military situation of every region they visited, making the guild a particularly valuable sources of intelligence the Mexica possessed.
The pochteca enjoyed a special legal status that allowed them to travel freely through enemy territory, and they were granted certain privileges, including the right to wear certain ornaments and to be attended by servants. The pochteca were also important in the diplomatic system, and they often served as the principal envoys of the Mexica state in their dealings with foreign powers. The most skilled pochteca could rise to high social rank, and they were sometimes given noble status.
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See also:
- What was the role of the Cihuacoatl as viceroy? — the chief administrator
- Who were the judges in the Aztec court system? — the legal system
- What were the Aztec merchant elites called? — the pochteca
- The Tlatoani and the Imperial Office — the supreme ruler
- Provincial Administration and Tributary States — the provincial administration
- Aztec Empire and Political Structure — the broader context