The tale of Cortez and Montezuma is one of the most amazing ones in the discovery of the new world. In 1519, Hernan Cortez of Spain landed of the coast of Mexico. In search of gold, he led his men inland to the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan [ later called Mexico City]. Here Montezuma, the Aztec emperor, greeted them in friendship. He thought Cortez was the god Quetzalcoatl, who had white skin, whose return had been predicted lo
ng before. In fact, Cortez had arrived in the same day and in the same year that Quetzalcoatl was supposed to return. Also, he fitted the description of the form Quetzalcoatl was predicted to take.
Some of the Aztecs, did not believe Cortez was really a god, and they were angry with Montezuma for allowing Spaniards to stay. One afternoon, when Montezuma appeared on a balcony, he was struck in the head by a stone thrown by one of his own people; although Cortez tried to save him, Montezuma died in three day later. Most of the Aztecs blamed the Spaniards for his death. In their attempt to escape from Tenochtitlan at night, almost of all Spaniards were killed; the few who escaped soon returned with some other Indians in the area who were enemies of Aztecs. The three months battle finally ended in a Spanish victory when wild animals were released from the zoo by the Spaniards. What had ended was not just a battle but an entire culture. The Aztecs had been right to fear the stranger who came from the sea.
ng before. In fact, Cortez had arrived in the same day and in the same year that Quetzalcoatl was supposed to return. Also, he fitted the description of the form Quetzalcoatl was predicted to take.Some of the Aztecs, did not believe Cortez was really a god, and they were angry with Montezuma for allowing Spaniards to stay. One afternoon, when Montezuma appeared on a balcony, he was struck in the head by a stone thrown by one of his own people; although Cortez tried to save him, Montezuma died in three day later. Most of the Aztecs blamed the Spaniards for his death. In their attempt to escape from Tenochtitlan at night, almost of all Spaniards were killed; the few who escaped soon returned with some other Indians in the area who were enemies of Aztecs. The three months battle finally ended in a Spanish victory when wild animals were released from the zoo by the Spaniards. What had ended was not just a battle but an entire culture. The Aztecs had been right to fear the stranger who came from the sea.
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