A Tribute Empire
lEach of the Aztec city-states was ruled by a speaker chosen from the nobility.
lThe ruler of Tenochtitlan, the Great Speaker, surpassed all others in wealth and power.
lHe presided over an elaborate court.
lA prime minister, usually a close relative of the ruler, had tremendous power.
lThere was a governing council, but it lacked real power.
lDuring the first 100 years of Aztec expansion a powerful nobility and emperor had taken over authority formerly held by calpulli.
