The Mexica emperors communicated with other rulers through an elaborate system of diplomacy, which included formal protocols for the sending and receiving of envoys, the exchange of messages, and the negotiation of treaties. The envoys were drawn from the nobility and from the pochteca, and they were trained in the art of diplomacy. The Mexica were skilled diplomats, and they used a combination of threats, promises, and gifts to maintain their empire.
The Envoys
The Mexica emperors communicated with other rulers through a system of envoys, who were drawn from the nobility and from the pochteca. The envoys were trained in the art of diplomacy, and they were required to know the languages, the customs, and the political situations of the regions they visited. The envoys were also required to be skilled in the use of the codices, which were used to record the messages and the treaties.
The most important envoys were the senior pochteca, who served as the principal agents of the Mexica state in foreign territories. The pochteca were also the eyes and ears of the Mexica state, and they provided valuable intelligence about the political and economic situation of the regions they visited.
The Messages
The messages sent by the Mexica emperors were typically recorded in codices, which were carried by the envoys. The codices were typically made of bark paper or deerskin, and they were folded into a long strip. The codices used a combination of pictographic and phonetic elements, and they were typically accompanied by oral explanations from the envoys.
The Mexica emperors used a variety of messages to communicate with other rulers, including demands for tribute, declarations of war, invitations to negotiate, and statements of friendship. The messages were typically framed in formal language, and they were accompanied by gifts that were appropriate to the situation.
The Protocols for Receiving Envoys
The Mexica had elaborate protocols for the receiving of envoys, and the ceremonies were designed to impress the envoys with the power and the wealth of the Mexica state. The envoys were received at the boundary of the Mexica territory by a delegation of Mexica officials, and they were escorted to Tenochtitlan by a series of relays. The envoys were housed in special quarters, and they were entertained with feasts, dances, and the giving of gifts.
The most important ceremonies were reserved for the reception of the rulers of the allied and subject states. The rulers were received by the Tlatoani in person, and they were seated on a raised platform in the great hall of the palace. The rulers were entertained with elaborate feasts, and they were given gifts of gold, feathers, and other luxury items.
The Negotiation of Treaties
The Mexica had a sophisticated system for the negotiation of treaties, and the treaties were recorded in the codices for posterity. The treaties specified the rights and obligations of the parties, the division of the tribute, the obligations of mutual defense, and the duration of the agreement. The treaties were negotiated by the envoys, and they were ratified by the Tlatoani and the council.
The Mexica had a particular skill in the negotiation of treaties, and they used a combination of persuasion, threats, and gifts to achieve their goals. The Mexica were willing to make concessions when necessary, but they were also willing to use force when persuasion failed. The Mexica also had a particular skill in the interpretation of treaties, and they often interpreted the treaties in ways that favored the Mexica state.
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