The Mexica had a formal system of education that was both rigorous and demanding, and that was overseen by the state. All Mexica children, male and female, were expected to receive some form of formal training, and the state took a direct interest in the education of the young. There were two main types of school, the calmecac for the children of the nobles and the priesthood, and the telpochcalli for the children of the commoners. The calmecac provided advanced training in religion, writing, mathematics, astronomy, and oratory, and it prepared its students for careers in the priesthood, the bureaucracy, and the higher ranks of the military. The telpochcalli provided training in the martial arts, in civic responsibilities, and in the basic skills of Mexica life. The curriculum of both types of school was demanding, and it included both intellectual and physical training.
The Calmecac
The calmecac was the school for the sons of the nobility and for those who were being trained for the priesthood. The calmecac was attached to the major temples, and it was supervised by the high priests. The students lived at the school, and they were subject to the discipline and the rigors of religious life. The calmecac was a demanding institution, and only the most capable students were able to complete its curriculum.
The curriculum of the calmecac was wide-ranging and demanding. The students studied religion, including the myths of the creation, the rituals of the religious year, and the duties of the priests. They studied writing and mathematics, including the calendar and the astronomical observations that were required for the proper timing of religious ceremonies. They studied rhetoric and oratory, which were essential for the political and religious life of the Mexica. They also studied history, including the history of the Mexica migration and the history of the Triple Alliance.
The students of the calmecac were also required to participate in the religious life of the temple. They assisted the priests in the rituals, and they performed the manual labor of the temple, including the cleaning of the sacred precinct, the preparation of the offerings, and the care of the sacred objects. They were also required to undergo a series of trials and tests, including fasting, bloodletting, and physical endurance tests, to prove their worthiness for the priesthood.
The Telpochcalli
The telpochcalli was the school for the sons of the commoners, and it was the more widespread of the two types of school. The telpochcalli was attached to the calpulli, and it was supervised by a senior warrior. The students lived at home, but they attended the school during the day, and they were subject to the discipline of the school.
The curriculum of the telpochcalli was more practical than that of the calmecac, and it focused on the martial arts, on civic responsibilities, and on the basic skills of Mexica life. Students were drilled in the use of weapons, including the macuahuitl, the spear, and the bow. They learned the tactics of warfare, including the formation of battle lines, the assault of fortified cities, and the conduct of flower wars. They also learned the basic skills of Mexica life, including agriculture, trade, and civic responsibilities.
Religious and civic instruction formed a second pillar of the telpochcalli curriculum. Boys were taught the myths of the creation, the rituals of the religious year, and the duties of the citizen. They absorbed the importance of obedience, of discipline, and of service to the state. They were also required to participate in the religious life of the calpulli, including the festivals, the rituals, and the offerings.
The Curriculum
The curriculum of the Mexica schools was demanding, and it included both intellectual and physical training. The intellectual training included the study of religion, history, writing, mathematics, and astronomy. The physical training included the martial arts, the use of weapons, and the physical endurance tests. The Mexica also placed great emphasis on the development of public speaking, and the training of orators was a major part of the curriculum.
The Mexica students were required to memorize large bodies of material, including prayers, songs, and historical traditions. The memorization was reinforced by repetition, by recitation, and by the use of mnemonics. The Mexica also used a system of visual aids, including pictographs and codices, to help the students remember the material.
The Mexica also placed great emphasis on physical discipline, and the students of both types of school were subject to harsh physical punishment. The Mexica believed that physical discipline was a necessary part of education. Beating, fasting, sleep deprivation, and the withholding of food were among the punishments used to correct misbehavior, and the older students were often given responsibility for enforcing discipline on the younger ones.
The Training of Priests
The training of priests was a particularly important part of Mexica education, and it was carried out in the calmecac and in special schools attached to the major temples. The priests were responsible for the maintenance of the temples, the performance of rituals, the interpretation of the calendar, and the training of novices. The high priests, who served the Templo Mayor, were among the most powerful figures in Mexica society, second only to the Tlatoani himself.
The training of priests was long and demanding, and it began in childhood. The candidates for the priesthood were selected from the sons of the nobles, and they were required to undergo a series of trials and tests, including fasting, bloodletting, and physical endurance tests. The training included the study of religion, the calendar, the rituals, the myths, and the writing system. The candidates were also required to master the use of the various ritual objects, including the incense burners, the obsidian knives, and the sacred bundles.
The Training of Warriors
The training of warriors was another important part of Mexica education, and it was carried out in the telpochcalli and in special training schools attached to the Templo Mayor and to the major temples. The warriors were responsible for the defense of the state, for the conduct of war, and for the capture of prisoners for sacrifice. The most successful warriors, the Eagle Warriors and the Jaguar Warriors, were honored with special privileges, and they were among the most respected figures in Mexica society.
The training of warriors was physical and demanding, and it included the use of weapons, the tactics of warfare, the endurance tests, and the military drills. The candidates were required to master the use of the macuahuitl, the spear, the bow, and the sling, and they were required to undergo a series of trials, including mock battles, endurance marches, and the capture of prisoners. The candidates were also required to participate in the flower wars, which were the principal training ground for the Mexica warriors.
The Survival of Mexica Education
Many elements of the Mexica educational system survived the Spanish conquest and continued to influence Mexican education for centuries. The use of mnemonics, the emphasis on memorization, the importance of public speaking, and the combination of intellectual and physical training are all features of the Mexica tradition that have survived in modified form. The Mexican school system of the present day, with its emphasis on memorization, on recitation, and on public speaking, reflects the long history of Mexica educational practice.
The Spanish conquest brought new institutions and new ideas to Mexican education, including the European university, the printing press, and the formal curriculum of the Spanish schools. Yet the basic elements of the Mexica educational system survived, particularly in the indigenous communities, where the training of the young continued to emphasize the values and the skills of the Mexica tradition. The persistence of indigenous educational practice in the face of intense Spanish pressure ranks among the great survivals of Mexican culture.
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See also:
- What was the telpochcalli, the warrior school? — the school for commoners
- What was the calmecac, the priestly school? — the school for nobles
- What subjects did Aztec students learn? — the curriculum
- Social Classes and Structure in Aztec Society — the social context
- Family Life and Childhood in the Aztec World — the family context
- Aztec Society and Daily Life — the broader social context