Aztec Government

Over the span of many decades Aztec tribal democracy was replaced by an imperialistic monarchy. At the head of this imperialistic monarchy stood the leader, the emperor or king, a man the Aztecs called “tlatoani.” The tlatoani lived in an incredible palace with his family and advisers. The highest ranking people in the Aztec government were called tecuhtli. Generals, chiefs, judges, even the emperor and the gods of the Aztec religion carried this title. However, priests rarely carried this title. A tecuhtli was always a man of importance. It was the tecuhtli that the Spaniards called caciques. The tecuhtli wore distinguishing jewels and clothes and their name always ended with -tzin. They all lived in palaces, and were supported by the people of his village or town. It was their duty to represent the people of his village before the higher authorities.