The Mexica had a series of laws against theft, and the punishments for theft were severe. The Mexica recognized several different forms of theft, and the punishment varied according to the seriousness of the crime and the social status of the offender. The Mexica had a particular horror of theft from the temples and from the Tlatoani, and the punishment for these crimes was particularly severe.
The Categories of Theft
The Mexica recognized several different forms of theft, and the most common were the theft of food or other goods, the theft of more valuable goods such as featherwork or jewelry, and the theft of sacred or royal property. The Mexica also recognized the theft of slaves, the theft of cacao beans (which were used as money), and the theft of animals.
The Mexica had a clear distinction between petty theft and grand theft, and the punishment varied accordingly. The Mexica also had a clear distinction between the theft of public property and the theft of private property, and the punishment for the theft of public property was more severe.
The Punishments for Theft
The punishments for theft varied according to the seriousness of the crime. The most common punishment for petty theft was a fine, paid in cacao beans or in cotton cloaks. The fines were typically proportional to the value of the goods stolen, and they were designed to compensate the victim for the loss.
For more serious thefts, the Mexica imposed a period of slavery, with the thief being required to work for the victim or for the state. The period of slavery was typically proportional to the value of the goods stolen, and it could last for several years. The Mexica also imposed a period of slavery for repeat offenders, and the punishment was more severe for those who had been convicted of theft multiple times.
For the most serious thefts, particularly the theft of sacred or royal property, the Mexica imposed the death penalty. The Mexica had a particular horror of theft from the temples, and the punishment for this crime was death by sacrifice. The Mexica also imposed the death penalty for the theft of tribute goods, and the punishment was typically death by sacrifice at the Templo Mayor.
The Enforcement of the Laws Against Theft
The Mexica had a sophisticated system for the enforcement of the laws against theft, and the system included a number of officials. The calpixqui were responsible for the enforcement of the laws in the calpulli, and the market officials were responsible for the enforcement of the laws in the markets. The Mexica also had a system of informants, who were paid to report violations of the law.
The Mexica also had a system of compensation for the victims of theft, and the fines collected from the offenders were typically given to the victims as compensation. The system of compensation shaped the Mexica legal system, and it was designed to ensure that the victims were made whole for the losses they had suffered.
The Legacy of the Laws Against Theft
The Mexica laws against theft have been the subject of much scholarly analysis, and they are now recognized as some of the most sophisticated legal provisions of any pre-modern state. The laws against theft reflect the Mexica’s emphasis on the protection of property, and they show the sophistication of the Mexica legal system.
The Mexica legal system has been compared to similar systems in other pre-modern states, including the Roman legal system and the Islamic legal system. The Mexica system is particularly notable for its emphasis on compensation for the victims, and it has been cited as an example of a sophisticated system of justice in a pre-modern state.
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