Social classes during pre-hispanic period

During the pre-Hispanic period in Mesoamerica, social classes were typically hierarchical and stratified. At the top were the nobility and ruling elites, including kings and priests, who held political and religious power. Below them were artisans, merchants, and farmers, who contributed to the economy and daily life, while the lowest class comprised slaves, often captured during warfare or unable to pay debts. This social structure varied among different cultures, such as the Aztecs and Maya, but generally reflected a system where wealth and status dictated one's role in society.