Calmecac

/kɑːlˈmeɪ.kɑːk/ noun

Definition

An elite school in the Aztec civilization where the sons of nobles were educated in astronomy, history, and religious practices.

Etymology

From Nahuatl 'calmecac' (from 'calli' meaning house and 'mecatl' meaning rope or instruction). This Aztec institution was the counterpart to the telpochcalli for commoners.

Kelly Says

The Aztecs had a sophisticated two-tier education system where nobility attended calmecacs to learn astronomy and priesthood while commoners went to telpochcalli for military training—they recognized that different roles required different knowledge.

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