Aztec Education

Introduction Aztec children were educated at home before they started school It is estimated they started school between the ages 10 and 15 Children were pampered until they were three, then they were supposed to be hard-working and obedient If children were disobedient, they were punished Turn them into citizens with “a stone heart and a stone face” What does it mean? How does this fit with citizenship? Education was highly valued in Aztec society Schooling was free Every child went to school, this is called universal education There were two kinds of schools Calmecac (call-MEH-cakh) Telpochcalli (tell-poach-CALL-lee)

High government officials Schools for Nobles The calmecac was the school for children born into the nobility It was located in the neighbourhood where nobles lived and it was often attached to a temple Students studied codices to learn about their society Religion was also an important part of their education What they studied What they trained to be Astronomy/Astrology Generals in the Army Mathematics Judges Reading Priests Writing Scribes Music High government officials Law Diplomats The Calendar Teachers

Reading, Writing and Counting All higher education was based on the ability to read and write using glyphs instead of letters Only nobles would learn how to read and write Commoners received their education through the spoken word How does this enforce the social hierarchy? What is our counting system based on? The Aztec counting system was based on the number 20 It took on a sacred meaning Each month had 20 days

Military Training Boys trained as warriors at school so they could defend the Aztec empire Once their training was complete, they would serve as a soldier's servant and follow the army to observe At 15 years old, boys would become warriors themselves and take an active role in battle The eagle and jaguar were the most prestigious military orders Why do you think this is?

Education for Commoners The commoners' schools were called telpochcalli All instruction was spoken – they needed to learn lessons through rote memorization They were given lessons in Aztec history, religion and citizenship duties Music was important to society, so they also learned to play flutes, drums and dance sacred dances Boys spent much of their time in school doing hard labour, like digging ditches and carrying firewood Girls and boys also received education from their parents

Educating Aztec Women Aztec women had little political power The emperor and council members were all men They thought it was important for women to be educated, however Every girl received an education no matter her rank At age 16 most got married and lived with their husbands They then educated their own children Although women could not hold positions in public office, they were not undervalued Women were healers and doctors and often travelled with the army Some became priestesses and their wisdom was highly sought Older women acted as matchmakers or midwives

Social Roles When an Aztec girl was born, their umbilical cord was placed beneath the family fireplace When an Aztec boy was born, their umbilical cord was buried in a battlefield What do these actions tell us about gender roles? Take care that your garments are such as are decent and proper; and observe that you do not adorn yourself with much finery, since this is a mark of vanity and folly. As little becoming is it that your dress should be . . . dirty, or ragged, since rags are a mark of the low . . . When you speak, do not hurry your words . . . speak deliberately and calmly. In walking . . . see that you behave becomingly, neither going with haste, nor too slowly; since it is an evidence of being puffed up to walk too slowly, and walking hastily causes a vicious habit of restlessness and instability. -Advice to Aztec girl from her mother