The Aztec originally distributed power from the bottom up not from the top down like many other cultures. They first confirmed citizens to employ the necessary jobs such as farmers then merchants and artisans. Before confirming troops to become the soldiers of their empire. The nobles and royals were usually born into power and their life-style, although during one of the beginning generations of Aztecs they elected an emperor and thus a royal family whilst the nobles had to work their way to the top. Manipulating your way up the social pyramid was difficult but not impossible. For example a solider could become a noble if he was notable in battle by capturing and killing hundreds of enemies or a merchant could become a noble by simply gaining enough wealth but it was harder than it sounds. It was very possible to lose your power as well, Farmers, merchant and artisans could surrender their freedom if they were living in poverty because they could not earn enough. If they chose to do this they would become a slave who would work for nobles and royalty in exchange for shelter and food, however they had no freedom and money. This would also mean they were viable for human sacrifices.
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