Montezuma: Warlord of the Aztecs (Potomac Books' Military Profiles)

Places Aztec civilization and history in the context of world history Montezuma (ca. 1466–1520), who had been educated as a priest and had served well as a military commander, ascended to the Aztec throne in about 1502 on the basis of his military record and reputation for piety. As Peter G. Tsouras demonstrates, almost immediately Montezuma transformed himself from a man of good judgment to a pitiless autocrat. He killed indiscriminately at home and waged wars of conquest against his neighbors, adding territory in contemporary Honduras and Nicaragua to his empire. In 1519, Hernán Cortés arrived in Mexico at the head of a Spanish expedition. Montezuma believed the invaders to be gods fulfilling the prophecy that the god Quetzalcoatl would return. He failed to resist and cautiously offered gifts. As a result, Cortés and the conquistadors marched on the capital and seized Montezuma. The monarch fell, surrendering his power, wealth, and even the sovereignty of his people, almost gladly. He became a puppet of the Spaniards and finally allied himself in battle against his own people. When the emperor’s brother at last led an uprising, the ungrateful Spaniards killed Montezuma. Against the backdrop of ancient Mexico’s rich cultural heritage, Tsouras captures the tragedy that befell Mexico during Montezuma’s reign. "Montezuma (ca. 1466-1520) ascended to the Aztec throne on the basis of a successful military record and his reputation for piety. As Peter G. Tsouras demonstrates, almost immediately Montezuma transformed himself from a man of good judgment to a pitiless autocrat. He killed indiscriminately in his own empire and waged wars of conquest against his neighbors. In 1519, Hernan Cortes arrived in Mexico at the head of a Spanish expedition. Montezuma believed the invaders to be gods fulfilling the prophecy of the god Quetzalcoatl's return. He failed to resist and cautiously offered gifts. As a result, Cortes and the conquistadors marched on the capital. Almost gladly, the monarch surrendered his power, wealth, and even the sovereignty of his people. He became a puppet of the Spaniards and finally aligned himself with Cortes in battle against his own people. When the emperor's brother at last led an uprising, the ungrateful Spaniards killed Montezuma." "Against the backdrop of ancient Mexico's rich cultural heritage, Tsouras captures the tragedy that befell Mexico during Montezuma's reign, simultaneously placing Aztec civilization and history in the context of world history."--BOOK JACKET Montezuma (ca. 1466 - 1520), who had been educated as a priest and had served well as a military commander, ascended to the Aztec throne in about 1502. As historian Peter G. Tsouras demonstrates, almost immediately Montezuma transformed himself from a man of good judgement to a pitiless autocrat. He killed indiscriminately at home and waged wars of conquest against his neighbors, adding territory in contemporary Honduras and Nicaragua to his empire. In 1519, Hernan Cortes arrived in Mexico at the head of a Spanish expedition which Montezuma believed to be the manifestation of a prophecy that the god Quetzalcoatl would return. Montezume failed to resist the Spaniards, offered gifts, and soon found himself imprisioned, his capital overrun, and the sovereignty of his people destroyed. He became a puppet of the Spaniards, allied himself in battle against his own people, and was ultimately killed by his captors in the aftermath of an uprising led by his brother The Rise Of Empire -- There Was Dread In The World -- Arrow Wars And Flower Wars -- Omens Of The End Of The World -- The Meeting Of Two Worlds -- The Taming Of Motecuhzoma -- He Had Survived His Honor -- The Dusk Of Empire. Peter G. Tsouras. Includes Bibliographical References P. (106-110) And Index. In early November 1519 Hernan Cortes and his band of adventurers emerged from a mountain pass and saw the Valley of Mexico, the teeming heart of the Mexica Empire.