STEP THREE

Hierarchy among the Aztecs and Incas

As seen in both the textbook narrative and the documents section in Chapter 12, both the Incas and the Aztecs had hierarchical societies based on class and gender. Complex legal codes as well as tradition guided social practices. Review the chapter and documents and answer the questions below.

  1. Question

    Review the image of Aztec women. What observations can you make about women’s roles in maintaining the material prosperity of a household?

  2. Question

    Note three examples from Document 12.1 that illustrate how the Aztecs used material objects (fashion, housing, possessions) to demonstrate status.

  3. Question

    According to Document 12.2, how were social status and material possessions demonstrated among the Incas?

  4. Question

    Find an image on the Internet from the Aztec Florentine Codex or from the Inca empire that illustrates hierarchy of class or gender (or both). In what ways can you use context to get clues about social status and work?