Jamail Center for Legal Research

Rare Books & Special Collections

Tribute

Tributes were an important part of Aztec public administration and an important adjunct to a thriving market economy. Tribute supported the ruler and nobles, as well as religious and public institutions. Only nobles and slaves were exempt from tribute. Spaniards admired the efficiency of the tribute system.

A tribute roll from the Codex Mendoza (right). On the left are name-glyphs for seven towns, whose annual tribute to the Aztec ruler included over 4,000 mantles and loincloths, 800 bales of dried chilis, 20 bags of down feathers, two war-dresses and shields, three strings of precious stones, and two plates inlaid with turquoise.