How important was the Law to Aztecs?
It's interesting to think that, when it came to the Law, the Aztecs thought that religion was not as important and focused on practicality, as it played a larger role in their daily lives.
What do Aztec laws cover?
Aztec laws cover almost every aspect of life, this includes laws on marriage, inheriting an estate, the class system and economic situations.
An example of a law intended to protect the class system, is that a common person was not allowed to decorate his house or dress in fancy clothes as a noble was.
Regarding marriage, a man could have as many wives as he wished, but only children of his original wife could inherit his estate.
Divorce was allowed in certain situations, but the woman would get half of the couple's assets, and was free to re- marry.
What was considered a Crime?
It's hard to know today how much crime actually existed, in the Aztec Empire, but historians have gathered some facts. Some crimes were overlooked, but some of the ones that were considered a serious offence were;
- Stealing from another's crops
- Public drunkenness (except at a festival or if you're over 70 years old)
- Murder
Were crimes dealt with at Court?
Yes, most crime was dealt with at Court, where Senior Warriors would be the judges.
Much of the Aztec crime and punishment was swift and local made the system efficient, which it needed to be without any evidence of prisons.
What Punishments did the Aztecs have?
As there were no prisons and no torture, a death penalty was a common punishment for crime. The criminal would often be taken to an alter and put to death, strangled, or even stoned on the spot.
The Nobles, who were supposed to set an example, often got harsher punishments.
If the crime was not a serious offence, sometimes a lighter punishment would be issued - for example if it was a first offense. A lighter punishment might include having your home demolished, or having your head shaved.
Slavery was also a punishment as well. In the Aztec Empire, slavery was a common way to pay back what was owed. This would be used if you had stolen an item from an Aztecs home, or stealing from another's crops.