At the top of the Mexican social structure, the military elite received the most public honors and awards. Although commoners could sometimes improve their social standing by distinguishing themselves on the battlefield, most of the military elite came from the Mexican aristocracy who may have had the best training and the most opportunities to demonstrate their talent on the battlefield. the battlefield. Mexican society was a rigid hierarchy, as the military elite also received large land grants and tributes from commoners. In addition, there was a council composed of the most successful warriors to discuss public matters and hold government positions. This elite class lived luxuriously, eating the richest foods like turkey, pheasant, duck, deer, wild boar, and rabbit with spices like vanilla and tribute cocoa. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on "Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned"?Get Original Essay Mexico's social structure was also reflected in laws that required commoners to wear coarse burlap but allowed aristocrats to wear cotton. Warriors distinguished themselves from society by wearing brightly colored capes, lip caps, and eagle feathers after capturing their enemies. Benefiting from special education in calendar and ritual, priests were another elite class. They performed religious ceremonies that Mexico believed were necessary for the continuity of the world. By advising Mexican leaders, they wielded political influence as they read omens and explained the forces that ruled the world. Some priests became leaders of the Aztec empires, such as Motecuzoma II, a popular cult leader. Enjoying prestige in society, skilled artisans who produced luxury items for the elite, such as gold, silver cotton textiles, and tropical bird feathers, had an important role. role in long distance trade. Not only did they provide luxury goods, but they also provided aristocrats with military and political intelligence. Because merchants were generally seen as greedy profiteers, aristocratic warriors extorted wealth and goods from merchants without powerful patrons to protect them. Mexican society was composed primarily of commoners who lived in hamlets growing chinampas assigned to their families by the calpulli. The calpulli began as groups or clans of families descended from common ancestors, but they evolved to play a political role in organizing community affairs. Commoners also worked on aristocrats' lands and on public works projects, such as palaces, temples, roads, and irrigation systems. Farmers paid tribute to state agents, who distributed it to aristocrats and stored the rest in state granaries and warehouses. Finally, many slaves were at the bottom of Mexican society. Working as domestic servants, these were usually Mexicans sold into slavery by their families or due to criminal behavior. Mexican society was extremely patriarchal, since all warrior elites were men who held political power. Respected for their role in the family, women exercised influence within families and enjoyed honors as.