The Aztec Tribute System: How Tenochtitlan Ruled an Empire

In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore the intricate tribute system that fueled Tenochtitlan's rise. Drawing on the Codex Mendoza and Florentine Codex, they discuss how the Triple Alliance collected taxes in cacao beans, quetzal feathers, jade, cotton, and even sacrificial victims. They examine the role of calpixque (tax collectors), the painstaking record-keeping in amoxtli (codices), and the economic backbone that supported the Templo Mayor, the Tlatelolco market, and the imperial army. They also touch on the burden of tribute on conquered provinces like the Totonacs, Tlaxcala's defiant resistance to the system, and how the Spanish weaponized tribute lists to dismantle Aztec rule. This episode covers the mechanics, logistics, and human cost of an empire built on tribute. #AztecTribute #CodexMendoza #Tlatoani #TripleAlliance #Calpixque #Pochteca #Nahuatl #Tenochtitlan #Tlatelolco #Mexica #FlorentineCodex #Cortés #Tlaxcala #Mesoamerica #AztecEmpire #TaxationHistory #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo