Living on the edge in an ancient imperial world: Aztec crime and deviance

Frances Berdan

Global Crime, 2008, vol. 9, issue 1-2, 20-34

Abstract: The ancient Aztecs created the largest empire in the prehistory of Mesoamerica. During this brief period (1428--1521 AD), Aztec life was complex and volatile. This article treats the place of crime and deviance within this dynamic setting, exploring (1) the Aztec historical and institutional context for living a proper (and improper) life, (2) recorded and expected realms of criminal and deviant behaviour, (3) opportunities for malfeasance and those who took advantage of them and (4) the manner in which Aztec institutions and powerful individuals dealt with crime and deviance. These dimensions provide the basis for an explanatory discussion of the presence or absence of organised crime in Aztec life.

Date: 2008
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DOI: 10.1080/17440570701862710

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