Aztec History for Kids: A Captivating Guide to the Aztec Empire and Civilization, from the Aztecs Settling in the Valley of Mexico to the Spanish Conquest by Captivating History

Author:Captivating History [History, Captivating]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-02-02T06:00:00+00:00

Aztec family

Aztec society was far ahead of other cultures when it came to education, as every child would have to go to school. Education was mandatory by law, and it was free for all boys and girls, no matter what social class they were in. Girls and boys would go to separate schools that taught different lessons.

Boys from noble families went to Calmecac (kal-meh-kaak), where they would learn to become priests, military leaders, or government officials. Boys from the lower classes would attend Telpochcalli (tel-push-kahl-lee), where they would learn to fight and become soldiers for the army. Boys would attend school from the ages of 10 to 20. Once they reached 15, they would be taught to fight using real weapons. As well as learning to fight, they would learn about religion, the gods, and religious ceremonies. They would memorize songs, poems, and dances that were often part of religious rituals.

Girls would also be taught about religion in their schools. But instead of training for the military, they would be taught skills that would help them run their households when they were married.

Once boys finished school, they had lots of options for work. If they didn’t become a full-time warrior, they could become a farmer, craftsman, or merchant. Skilled craftsmen would make many different things that could be sold at local markets.

Tlatelolco Marketplace. Credit: Joe Ravi, Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tlatelolco_Marketplace.JPG

Markets would have stalls that sold art, jewelry, clothing, and food. The Aztec diet was mostly vegetarian, and they ate locally grown produce. They ate lots of maize (corn), which they would grind into flour to make tortillas. Corn tortillas are still a staple food (food that is often eaten) in Mexico today.

Fun Fact: Today, corn tortillas are still an essential part of our favorite Mexican dishes, such as enchiladas, quesadillas, and, of course, tacos!

Other foods like beans, tomatoes, chilies, avocados, squash, and potatoes were grown. These were also part of their regular diet. On top of this, the Aztecs would even eat insects and their eggs.

Fun Fact: Fried grasshoppers (chapulines) are still regularly eaten in Mexico today and are considered a delicacy!

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