Slavery was widely practiced in Mesoamerica, and in the Aztec world, in a form most modern Westerners might be less familiar with. For instance, it was not a permanent or even impoverished chattel state. One could willingly sell themselves into slavery to pay off a debt, for instance, and be released when it was paid. Criminals were also made into slaves, and only repeat offenders could be sold for their most famous purpose: sacrifice.

Slaves made up a significant portion of sacrificial victims and teixiptlas. Often they were purchased by collectives of skilled workers to represent their patron Teotl, or chosen by priests for festivals.