Montezuma II
The emperor before Montezuma II was a man named Ahuitzotl. He approximately doubled the land owned by the Aztecs and his governor was Monteuzuma II. Montezuma II is also called Moctezuma II and has the real name, Heuy Tlatoani Moctezuma, meaning 'great speaker of the city Tenochtitlan' (Aztec-History.com, 2006-2013). Montezuma II was born in approximately 1466 and was a successful ruler and governor. Montezuma soon became the emperor in 1502 after the death of emperor Ahuitzotl (Aztec-History.com, 2006-2013). During the siege of Tenochtitlan he was either stoned by his own people in the revolt or murdered by the Spaniards in the year 1520 (discussed in the Siege of Tenochtitlan).
The Relationship Between montezuma ii and hernan cortes
There are different accounts of what the Aztecs thought of the Spanish when they first arrived and these differences would greatly effect Montezuma and Cortes' relationship. One of the theories is that the Aztecs first thought that Cortes was a god, as they coincidentally arrived when the Aztec god, was due to arrive. The other theory is that Montezuma and the Aztecs thought of the Spanish human and equal to themselves which is what most modern scholars believe (New World Encyclopedia, 2013). I will discuss both of the theories to explain what Montezuma and Cortes' relationship would have been for both circumstances.
Theory 1- Montezuma II believes that Cortes is a god
There was an Aztec prophesy that stated that the god, Quetzalcoatl would arrive at the year 1519, the exact year that Hernan Cortes arrived at Tenochtitlan. If Montezuma thought of Hernan Cortes as Quetzalcoatl then he would have treated him with an exceptional amount of respect and fear. This would have been very pleasing to Cortes and he would be considering how he could use this position to aid him in his siege of the city. Over time when Montezuma saw Cortes and how he attacked his people at the festival of Toxcatl and believed in a different religion, Christianity, Montezuma discovered that Hernan Cortes was in fact not a god and could be a possible enemy (Cortes, H., 1920). Therefore, Montezuma became suspicious of the Spanish men's every actions and particularly Cortes. The relationship between Cortes and Montezuma started to deteriorate, as Montezuma faces a possible enemy and Cortes no longer has the strategical advantages of being considered a god.
Theory 2- Montezuma knows that Cortes is human
If Montezuma II and the Aztecs knew that Hernan Cortes was also a human and not a god then the Aztecs would not show as much respect to Cortes men. When Montezuma first met Cortes, he is said to have lifted his shirt revealing the words saying, ' I am mortal blood as you are mortal blood' showing that Montezuma recognises that they are both human (New World Encyclopedia, 2013). Montezuma welcomed the Spanish with gifts as he did not know what to think of the Spanish and had no idea whether they be good or evil. Montezuma II would have found it much easier to go against Cortes if he did not think of him as a god, that he should respect and fear and could be religiously punished for going against. As Cortes started to attack the Aztecs and kill Montezuma's people there would be a terrible relationship between them, as the possible destruction of Montezuma's empire stood before him.
Both of these theories on the relationship between Montezuma II and Hernan Cortes are only for the approximate start of the battles between the Spanish and Aztecs. After the battles had begun and Cortes captures Montezuma, the relationship between the two is obvious. There was a definite fight between Montezuma's people and Cortes' men with the only recognising each other as the enemy. Even though the Aztecs started to revolt against Montezuma and he became of little use, he was still the figurehead of the Aztecs and Cortes' mortal enemy.
Theory 1- Montezuma II believes that Cortes is a god
There was an Aztec prophesy that stated that the god, Quetzalcoatl would arrive at the year 1519, the exact year that Hernan Cortes arrived at Tenochtitlan. If Montezuma thought of Hernan Cortes as Quetzalcoatl then he would have treated him with an exceptional amount of respect and fear. This would have been very pleasing to Cortes and he would be considering how he could use this position to aid him in his siege of the city. Over time when Montezuma saw Cortes and how he attacked his people at the festival of Toxcatl and believed in a different religion, Christianity, Montezuma discovered that Hernan Cortes was in fact not a god and could be a possible enemy (Cortes, H., 1920). Therefore, Montezuma became suspicious of the Spanish men's every actions and particularly Cortes. The relationship between Cortes and Montezuma started to deteriorate, as Montezuma faces a possible enemy and Cortes no longer has the strategical advantages of being considered a god.
Theory 2- Montezuma knows that Cortes is human
If Montezuma II and the Aztecs knew that Hernan Cortes was also a human and not a god then the Aztecs would not show as much respect to Cortes men. When Montezuma first met Cortes, he is said to have lifted his shirt revealing the words saying, ' I am mortal blood as you are mortal blood' showing that Montezuma recognises that they are both human (New World Encyclopedia, 2013). Montezuma welcomed the Spanish with gifts as he did not know what to think of the Spanish and had no idea whether they be good or evil. Montezuma II would have found it much easier to go against Cortes if he did not think of him as a god, that he should respect and fear and could be religiously punished for going against. As Cortes started to attack the Aztecs and kill Montezuma's people there would be a terrible relationship between them, as the possible destruction of Montezuma's empire stood before him.
Both of these theories on the relationship between Montezuma II and Hernan Cortes are only for the approximate start of the battles between the Spanish and Aztecs. After the battles had begun and Cortes captures Montezuma, the relationship between the two is obvious. There was a definite fight between Montezuma's people and Cortes' men with the only recognising each other as the enemy. Even though the Aztecs started to revolt against Montezuma and he became of little use, he was still the figurehead of the Aztecs and Cortes' mortal enemy.