Widening Social Gulf
lBy the 16th century the seven original calpulli had expanded from kinship groups to become residential groupings including neighbors, allies, and dependents. lThe calpulli performed vital local functions in distributing land and labor and maintaining temples and schools.
lDuring wars they organized military units.
lCalpulli were governed by councils of family heads, but all families were not equal. lDuring Aztec expansion a class of nobility (pipiltin) had emerged from privileged families in the most distinguished calpulli.