Pochteca (English spelling)

Japanese: ポチテカ（英語表記）pochteca

A group of privileged long-distance traders who emerged in the central Mexican plateau from the second half of the 15th century onwards as Aztec power expanded. Their activities differed from the exchange of self-produced goods in local markets, but rather involved organising caravans to trade from Tabasco to the Yucatan Peninsula and from Chiapas to Guatemala to acquire luxury goods consumed by the ruling class and their raw materials, such as feathers, precious stones and metals. The Pochtecas brought with them daily necessities such as obsidian knives and needles, as well as cotton cloth and accessories bestowed by Aztec lords or procured at the great market in Tlatelolco, as well as slaves.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

メキシコ中央高原において15世紀後半以降，アステカ勢力が拡大するとともに台頭した特権的な遠隔地交易商人の集団。彼らの活動は，地方市場における自己生産品の交換と異なり，支配階層の消費する奢侈（しやし）品やその原材料である羽毛類，宝石貴金属材を取得するために，タバスコからユカタン半島方面，チアパスからグアテマラ方面まで隊商を組織して交易することであった。ポチテカは交易品としては，黒曜石製ナイフ，針など日用品のほか，アステカ領主から下賜されたり，トラテロルコの大市場で調達した木綿布，装身具のほか奴隷などを持参した。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

<<: Laws concerning cemeteries, burials, etc.

>>: Bocskay István