Pochteca

The Pochteca were skilled merchants and traders in the Aztec Empire who specialized in long-distance commerce. They organized and managed the exchange of valuable goods like textiles, cacao, feathers, and jewelry across regions. Beyond selling products, they often played important diplomatic and intelligence roles for the Aztec rulers, gathering information from distant territories. Their network and expertise allowed the Aztecs to control trade routes, acquire luxury items, and maintain economic and political influence throughout Mesoamerica. The Pochteca were respected members of Aztec society, combining commerce with strategic service to their empire.