Aztec society was based on obedience to the law, and anyone who committed a crime was punished severely. Because the tlatoani<> himself had made all the laws, a person who broke a law was seen as having disobeyed the tlatoani. A noblewho committed a crime was often punished more harshly than a commoner.
Laws covered every part of Aztec life. These included religion, public behavior, marriage, families, and property or possessions inherited from someone who died. However, one of the most important areas of law was the social class system. When Montezuma I introduced his new legal code in the 1440's, his main aim was to codify (organize legally) the gap between nobles and commoners.
Montezuma I issued many new laws during his reign, including— …show more content…
Inca law was quite severe, laying out strict punishments for many offenses. The higher the status of the individual, the more severe the punishment for a crime. For example, adultery among commoners was punishable by torture, but if the woman was a noble, both parties were executed. Crimes against the government were treated with special severity. Stealing from the fields of the state was punishable by death. If a curaca (hereditary village chief) put a person to death without permission of his superior, a stone was dropped on his back from a height of three feet. If he did it again, he was killed. Treason was punished by imprisoning the person in an underground prison in Cuzcothat was filled with snakes and dangerous animals. The person rarely survived the …show more content…
However, during the mid-1440s, many trials awaited Montezuma, including pestilence, floods, frosts, and snow that destroyed his people's crops. In addition, a four-year drought caused tragic starvation among his people. Montezuma managed them all as well as anyone could. When prosperity finally returned, Montezuma successfully resumed the expansion of his domain through trade, negotiation, and war. Under Montezuma, the Aztec Empire expanded beyond the Valley of Mexico and took control of much of central Mexico.
During his reign, Montezuma improved living conditions by bringing fresh water to Tenochtitlán, establishing penal and social laws, and setting high standards for civic and social advancement. He also encouraged the development of a sophisticated culture secure in its history and proud of its present accomplishments. He is famous for reworking the Mexica calendar and recording Mexica history, and he constructed magnificent sculptures, beautiful temples, and rich botanical gardens.
When Montezuma died ca. 1469, he was succeeded as emperor by Axayacatl, the grandson of Itzcóatl. By the end of the century, during the reign of Ahuitzotl, the Aztec Empire has expanded as far as Oaxaca, the Gulf Coast, and Guatemala. Thus, when Montezuma II, the Aztec ruler at the time of the arrival of the Spaniards,
Laws covered every part of Aztec life. These included religion, public behavior, marriage, families, and property or possessions inherited from someone who died. However, one of the most important areas of law was the social class system. When Montezuma I introduced his new legal code in the 1440's, his main aim was to codify (organize legally) the gap between nobles and commoners.
Montezuma I issued many new laws during his reign, including— …show more content…
Inca law was quite severe, laying out strict punishments for many offenses. The higher the status of the individual, the more severe the punishment for a crime. For example, adultery among commoners was punishable by torture, but if the woman was a noble, both parties were executed. Crimes against the government were treated with special severity. Stealing from the fields of the state was punishable by death. If a curaca (hereditary village chief) put a person to death without permission of his superior, a stone was dropped on his back from a height of three feet. If he did it again, he was killed. Treason was punished by imprisoning the person in an underground prison in Cuzcothat was filled with snakes and dangerous animals. The person rarely survived the …show more content…
However, during the mid-1440s, many trials awaited Montezuma, including pestilence, floods, frosts, and snow that destroyed his people's crops. In addition, a four-year drought caused tragic starvation among his people. Montezuma managed them all as well as anyone could. When prosperity finally returned, Montezuma successfully resumed the expansion of his domain through trade, negotiation, and war. Under Montezuma, the Aztec Empire expanded beyond the Valley of Mexico and took control of much of central Mexico.
During his reign, Montezuma improved living conditions by bringing fresh water to Tenochtitlán, establishing penal and social laws, and setting high standards for civic and social advancement. He also encouraged the development of a sophisticated culture secure in its history and proud of its present accomplishments. He is famous for reworking the Mexica calendar and recording Mexica history, and he constructed magnificent sculptures, beautiful temples, and rich botanical gardens.
When Montezuma died ca. 1469, he was succeeded as emperor by Axayacatl, the grandson of Itzcóatl. By the end of the century, during the reign of Ahuitzotl, the Aztec Empire has expanded as far as Oaxaca, the Gulf Coast, and Guatemala. Thus, when Montezuma II, the Aztec ruler at the time of the arrival of the Spaniards,