Spanish and Aztec Crime and Punishment
Law
Many Aztecs were apart of the Aztec law system. In the world of the Aztec's , the gods had power over people. That was until the Spanish came and made them follow Christianity. Interestingly, though, when it came to law, religion was less of a factor than in most of Aztec daily life. The empire was a really loosely connected alliance between various cities. These cities shared a common emperor and often a similar heritage, so laws were similar throughout the empire, but not exactly the same. So Aztec crime and punishment did vary from city to city. Aztec laws covered almost every aspect of life. This included laws about marriage, not following Christianity, inheriting an estate, the class system, and economic situations. As an example of a law intended to protect the class system, a common person was not allowed to decorate his house or dress in lavish clothes as a noble was. Regarding marriage, a man could have as many concubines as he wished, but only descendants of his original wife could inherit his estate. Divorce was allowed in certain situations, but the woman would get half of the couple's assets, and was free to re marry.
Crime
t's hard to know today how much crime there actually was in the empire. When crime happened punishment was harsh. Although some crime was overlooked, much of it was dealt with through a system of courts. Some crimes considered serious would includes stealing from another's crops, public drunkenness , and murder. The King and Queen of Spain ordered Christopher Columbus to torcher or kill anyone who declined Christianity
Courts
Most crime was dealt with in a court, where senior warriors would be the judges. If the crime was more serious, it could be tried in the capital city Tenochtitlan in the teccalco court. Very serious cases, such as those involving nobles, could be tried by professional judges in the emperor's palace. The fact that much of the Aztec crime and punishment was swift and local made the system efficient, which it needed to be without a system of prisons.
Punishment
A system of prisons was impossible for the Aztec's. Aztec crime and punishment had to develop a totally different punishment. There were no prisons, and no torture. Instead, the death penalties was a common punishment for crime.The criminal could be taken to an alter and put to death, strangled, or even stoned on the spot. The nobles, who were supposed to set an example, often delivered harsher punishments. Those who declined to following Christianity where killed or torchered Sometimes there would be a, for example if this was a first offence. A lighter punishment might include having your home demolished, or having your head shaved.
Law
Many Aztecs were apart of the Aztec law system. In the world of the Aztec's , the gods had power over people. That was until the Spanish came and made them follow Christianity. Interestingly, though, when it came to law, religion was less of a factor than in most of Aztec daily life. The empire was a really loosely connected alliance between various cities. These cities shared a common emperor and often a similar heritage, so laws were similar throughout the empire, but not exactly the same. So Aztec crime and punishment did vary from city to city. Aztec laws covered almost every aspect of life. This included laws about marriage, not following Christianity, inheriting an estate, the class system, and economic situations. As an example of a law intended to protect the class system, a common person was not allowed to decorate his house or dress in lavish clothes as a noble was. Regarding marriage, a man could have as many concubines as he wished, but only descendants of his original wife could inherit his estate. Divorce was allowed in certain situations, but the woman would get half of the couple's assets, and was free to re marry.
Crime
t's hard to know today how much crime there actually was in the empire. When crime happened punishment was harsh. Although some crime was overlooked, much of it was dealt with through a system of courts. Some crimes considered serious would includes stealing from another's crops, public drunkenness , and murder. The King and Queen of Spain ordered Christopher Columbus to torcher or kill anyone who declined Christianity
Courts
Most crime was dealt with in a court, where senior warriors would be the judges. If the crime was more serious, it could be tried in the capital city Tenochtitlan in the teccalco court. Very serious cases, such as those involving nobles, could be tried by professional judges in the emperor's palace. The fact that much of the Aztec crime and punishment was swift and local made the system efficient, which it needed to be without a system of prisons.
Punishment
A system of prisons was impossible for the Aztec's. Aztec crime and punishment had to develop a totally different punishment. There were no prisons, and no torture. Instead, the death penalties was a common punishment for crime.The criminal could be taken to an alter and put to death, strangled, or even stoned on the spot. The nobles, who were supposed to set an example, often delivered harsher punishments. Those who declined to following Christianity where killed or torchered Sometimes there would be a, for example if this was a first offence. A lighter punishment might include having your home demolished, or having your head shaved.