Aztec Tribute Exercise

ASB 337
;EXERCISE 7
Aztec Tribute

The Triple Alliance (i.e. the Aztecs) presided over a large tribute empire, which was
centered at Tenochtitlan. By 1502, during the rule of Monteczuma the Younger, the
empire was collecting tribute from the tropical forests of the Gulf Coast to the beaches of
the Pacific Ocean. Aztec merchants had even opened trade to areas of Guatemala, likely
in preparation for further conquests. The Aztec collection of tribute was not merely for
material gain, though. It was an active and vital part of their imperial strategy.
Read the information below on Aztec use of tributary and strategic provinces. Then, use
the Aztec Tribute Handout, as well as the Aztec Tribute Item Key, to answer the four
questions listed below.
PART I - IMPERIAL PROVINCES
BACKGROUND
Aztec imperial strategies led to the creation of two types of provinces in the outer empire:
tributary provinces and strategic provinces (Berdan 1996, Smith 2003). Tributary
provinces were groups of adjacent, conquered city-states that provided regular tribute and
trade. Records of these provinces and their tribute were kept at imperial capitals. The lists
of tribute in two codices, the Matricula de Tributos and the Codex Mendoza, allow us to
identify these tributary provinces. Strategic provinces were conquered client-states that
could help maintain the borders of the Aztec Empire against enemies in lieu of paying
regular tribute. These provinces were not listed in the tribute rolls, but are gathered from
lists of Aztec conquests and other sources.
QUESTIONS
Use the information provided in Table 1 to identify the tributary and strategic provinces
on the map of Aztec imperial provinces in 1519 CE (Figure 1). You may find it useful to
print the map and color in the different types of provinces in some manner.
1. Do you notice any patterns in the spatial locations of tributary versus strategic
provinces? What do you think explains the pattern? (4 points)
The strategic provinces are placed on the border with enemy lines. It makes sense,
because those provinces are more concerned about the security and let tributary
states do their economical parts safely.

PART II TRIBUTARY PROVINCES AND THEIR RESOURCES

BACKGROUND

Aztec Tribute Exercise

ASB 337

The Matricula de Tributos (Also known as the Codex Moctezuma) lists 39 tribute-paying
provinces. It also describes the annual tribute quota that a province had to pay to the
Aztec Empire. (Note that these lists are likely incomplete: Several researchers cite the
absence of known tribute items, like silver, in the tribute lists as evidence that the tribute
rolls we have are not exhaustive. In addition, examples of provincial lists of what they
paid the Aztecs dont always match the Matricula). Regular tribute was paid twice or four
times a year. Occasionally, Aztec rulers demanded special, one-time gifts from both
tributary and strategic provinces.
In the Part II portion of the exercise, you will interpret the tribute rolls from two tributary
provinces in very different parts of the empire. Archaeologists name the Aztec provinces
after their central tribute-collection site. This was often, but not always, the largest city in
the province. Compare the lists of place-names on each tribute list to list of provinces in
Part I to find out where the tribute is coming from. Then use the key to the tribute rolls to
identify what is being paid.
QUESTIONS
2. Tribute List No. 1 (Page 13, Matrcula de Tributos)
a. Identify the province by name (hint: look at the writing above the symbol in
the bottom left corner). (1 point) - Tollocan
b. Where in Mesoamerica is this province located? Where is this in relation to
Tenochtitlan? (1 point) - This tributary state is located a bit southwest of
Tenochtitlan, the central highlands of Mesoamerica.
c. Using the Tribute Item Key, what items can you identify on this tribute list
from the Codex Mendoza? How many of these items were being paid as
tribute? (2 point)
1- Warrior suits: 22
2- Warrior shields: 22
3- Maize, beans, chia: 3
4- Dyed maguey cloth: 400
5- Fine maguey cloth: 400
6- Regular cotton cloth: 1200
7- Live bird: 1
3. Tribute List No. 2 (Page 25, Matrcula de Tributos)
a. Identify the province by name (hint: look at the writing above the symbol in
the bottom left corner). (1 point)
Xoconocho

Aztec Tribute Exercise

ASB 337

b. Where in Mesoamerica is this province located? Where is this in relation to

Tenochtitlan? (1 point)
This state was tributary and was located in the Pacific Coast Plain of
Mesoamerica. It is located southeast of Tenochtitlan.
c. Using the Tribute Item Key, what items can you identify on this tribute list
from the Codex Mendoza? How many of these items were being paid as
tribute? (2 point)
1- Petrified amber resin: 2
2- Varnished gourds: 400
3- Sashes best: 1
4- Jaguar skin: 40
5- Cacoa beans: 180
6- Bodies skins of birds: 160
7- Yellow feathers: 800
8- Green feathers: 800
9- Quetzal feathers: 800
10- Blue feathers: 800
11- Red feathers: 800
12- Gold lip plugs/labrets: 2
13- Strings of greenstone/jade beads

4. Comparison and interpretation

a. Do you notice a difference in the types of goods demanded from the two
provinces? What do you think explains this difference? (4 points)
Yes, the province of Tollocan is very near enemy lines their province is also a
lot smaller then Xoconocho province. Xoconocho province is the furthest part
of the empire and is not affected by the enemies; therefore they can produce
with whey more contributions to the Rulers. The Tollocan also provides more
of a warrior based contributions, makes sense since they are close to the
strategic provinces.
b. Why do you think that the rulers of Tenochtitlan demanded all of these items?
In other words, why was it important to the rulers of Tenochtitlan that they
import such a diversity of both utilitarian and exotic goods to the city? Why
would they also demand special gifts in the form of labor, materials, or even
captives? (4 points)
I think the Rulers wanted the provinces to stay busy. Also, this way Rulers
keep their power over the provinces by making them fear of punishments.
Furthermore, capital city might be lacking of some goods for it to flourish and to

Aztec Tribute Exercise

ASB 337

stay strong, they also might require some special goods, for their outfits, so that
people would recognize a Ruler.