Schooling

Children of the noble class attended a calmecac, a school for noble children that was attached to the temples. Girls and boys went to separate calmecac schools. The children learned to live prudently, to govern, and to understand the history and ways of their elders, under strict priestly guidance. Learning in the calmecac was essential for advancement within the imperial administration.  The Macehualtin (literally "workers": tradespeople, peasants, and builders) children attended a local school, called telpochcalli. There they were taught basic occupational skills, the elements of warfare, and good citizenship. The children learned the fundamentals of their history and religion. Some Macehualtin children who were bright were sent to a calmecac, where they would have more emphasis placed on scholarship in preparation for advanced careers. At fifteen (15), boys attended either a calmecac or a cuicacalli. The calmecac was run by priests who taught religious and administrative subjects. Calmecac pupils also had extra religious duties, as well as lessons in history, astronomy, poetry, and writing. The cuicacalli was more of a military school. All boys were trained in war and there was great rivalry between the schools, often leading to fights. In addition to their schooling all boys also had to work hard on their family's land. Aztec girls were mainly taught at home and began spinning at four (4) and cooking at twelve (12). Their education was basically a training for marriage, although noble girls spent a year at twelve (12) or thirteen (13) helping in the temple, and some became professional priestesses. Women took little direct part in public life, but had a lot of influence behind the scenes. Aztec fathers and mothers raised their children with care, making sure the children knew their responsibilities and mastered the necessary life skills. They warned the children against the vices of gambling and theft, gossip and drink, and when the children misbehaved, the punishment was painful. One form of punishment had the parent holding their child over a chili pepper fire and forcing them to inhale the chili pepper smoke.