Pipiltin
ThePipiltin(sg.pilli) were thenoblesocial classin theMexica Empire.They are the lowest nobles in the civilization's social structure and above the commoners who achieved noble status due to an outstanding deed in war. These people were members of the hereditary nobility and occupied positions in thegovernmentas ambassadors and ministers, the army and thepriesthood.Pipiltin often headed their own noble houses, calledtecalli,with their own lands and dependent labourers. The subclasses within thePipiltinwere:tlahtohcapilli(atlahtoani's son),tecpilliorteucpilli(ateuctli's son),tlazohpilli(son of a legitimate wife), andcalpanpilli(son of aconcubine).[1]
Children of thePipiltinwere given extensive education in preparation for the role they would play in their adult life. They were sent to thecalmecac,which was the center for higher learning, to study the ancient wisdom as well as "elegant forms of speech, ancient hymns, poems and historical accounts, religious doctrines, the calendar, astronomy, astrology, legal precepts and the art of the government."[2]
Origin
[edit]As theAztecsbegan settling what would later become their homelands, an elite emerged (thePipiltin) that claimed descent from theToltecs,the former empire of CentralMexico.The new hereditary elite unified the clans that had been the center ofAzteclife and paved the way for a conquest empire. Some sources describe thePipiltinas the offspring oftlahtohquehandteteuctin,which were different social classes within the ruling nobility.[1]
The name was also where thePipil peopleof western El Salvador get their name, as they are descendants of Toltec people who migrated and settle in El Salvador.
The authority and prestige of thePipiltinwere based on the belief that they descended from the original migrant founders of the Aztecs and came from a mythical place.[3]Due to this heritage, they enjoyed privileges such as special family dispensation, the use of privilege goods and dwellings that were appropriate to their station.[3]
See also
[edit]- Macehualtin,the commoners
References
[edit]- ^abHassig, Ross (1995).Aztec Warfare: Imperial Expansion and Political Control.Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. p. 29.ISBN0806121211.
- ^Bethell, Leslie (1984).The Cambridge History of Latin America.Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 22.ISBN0521232236.
- ^abChavez, Alicia (2006).Mexico: A Brief History.Berkeley: University of California Press. p. 23.ISBN0520233212.
Nobilityby nation | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(*): state wheremonarchystill exists | |||||||||
| Africa |  | ||||||||
| Americas |
| ||||||||
| Asia |
| ||||||||
| Europe |
| ||||||||
| Oceania |
| ||||||||