The Aztec's Administration

• The Aztec empire had no elaborate bureaucracy or administration. 

• The Aztecs and their allies simply conquered their subjects and assessed tribute, leaving local governance and the collection of tribute in the hands of the conquered peoples themselves.

• The allies did not even maintain a military throughout their empire or keep a permanent, standing army. They simply assembled forces as needed when they launched campaigns of expansion or remounted expeditions against insubordinate subjects. 

• The Aztecs had a reputation for military power and the fear of reprisal kept most subject peoples and line.