Trade in Central Mexico or the Basin of Mexico could be carried on by virtually anyone commoner to noble; from small-scale producers to large-scale merchants. The professional merchants were known as Pochteca, who carried out much of the long-distance trade between the Aztec heartland and the distant areas within the empire had a monopoly on this type of trade (Smith 1987). Furthermore, there were several types of Pochteca; one category seemed to engage exclusively in commercial activity for the commoners at the market place, while other categories of Pochteca were certainly involved with state affairs or the affairs of the nobles (Kurtz 1974). The Pochteca whom dealt with the state primarily traded for highly valued prestigious and luxurious goods, which apparently bypassed the consumer market places and flowed directly to the Aztec nobility (Kurtz 1974). The Pochteca dealt with relatively large lots of goods, which emphasized in the luxurious commodities that were expensive, which were the prerogative of the nobles or elite. The Pochteca had to be able to carry all of their goods on their backs so they were not worried about collecting items on minimal worth. The Pochteca could be described as pirates of the land looking for treasures in enemy or neutral territory. In the stories section there is a story about the Pochtecas stealing quetzal birds for their feathers from Tzinacantlan before the people of Tzinacantlan had been conquered (Haemig 1978). See the first story. However, the Pochteca were people of almost nobility inside Mexica or Aztec society.
Caption: Pochteca trading for quetzal feathers. Taken from the codex Florentine
The Pochteca groups enjoyed distinctive privileges and a special status in the Aztec society. The Pochteca were neither nobles nor commoners, but were stationed somewhere between. On one hand, they paid taxes, though in goods only, and in everyday situations dressed as commoners; however they were greatly esteemed by the ruler, allowed to sacrifice slaves, own land, serve as marketplace judges, and permitted to wear certain symbols of noble status at particular annual festivals (Berdan 2005). Like other elite members of Aztec society, the Pochteca received insignia and emblems of high rank after successful commercial and military missions (Kristan-Graham 1993). The ability to be able to wear prized emblems in a society shows how important of a role Pochteca played in the Aztec civilization and how revered they were as a group. Although not members of the nobility, these merchants could amass impressive fortunes partly through private ventures and partly as agents of the Mexica or Aztec State (Smith 1987). The Pochteca were probably the wealthiest of the non-noble born in the Aztec Society. Rather than indulge themselves in their abundant resource and wealth in symbols of rank, the merchants developed quite a different attitude towards wealth (Berdan 2005). The Pochteca choice a more humble approach to there actions and appearance. Normally, the Pochteca wore plain, modest clothing so as not to draw undue attention in public (Kristan-Graham 1993). However, this may only be because the Pochteca were not quite nobles or elite and didn’t want to seem too powerful or a threat towards the upper echelon of the society. In addition, other wealthy social ranks envied their wealth. There is a story in there is a story about how the Pochteca would come back from a trip quietly at night not show anyone what treasure they had acquired. See the second story. The Aztec Pochteca were a very well off class in the society. They could start off at commoner status and almost reach nobility status. This shows how upper social mobility is possible inside Mexica culture. Furthermore, there were noble born Pochteca too. The Pochteca were almost nobles if they were not born to the right family.
The Pochteca had done more than just act as merchants for the Aztec Empire. They also formed an army of spies in the pretext of merchants, gathering intelligence data that might aid in the conquest of a new region whose tribute would then help fuel the expanding Aztec Empire (Kristan-Graham 1993). Moreover, they could engage and declare war. (Berdan 2005). Also, the Pochteca acted as emissaries of the emperor. If a Pochteca was killed in an enemy city or territory it gave the Aztec emperor the right to declare war on that enemy. Being a Pochteca for the state did not always work out the way it was planned. The Pochteca had the riskiest job in my opinion of anyone group in Aztec society. The life of the Pochteca was not for the faint of heart. They spent much of their time out in far off lands in disguise to look like people of that area talking in a different ascent to blend into the outside culture (Haemig 1978). In the stories section there is a story about the Pochtecas disguising themselves as different people and talking in different tongues. See the first story. Lastly, the Pocheteca lived a very diverse life they had many different roles to play for themselves and the Aztec Empire.