Moctezuma II
Moctezuma II, also known as Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin (1466-1520) and often called Montezuma in English, was the Aztec emperor (tlahtoani) from 1502 to 1520. His name comes from the Nahuatl word Motecuhzoma, which means "he who is leader because of his fury". In Spanish, he is called Moctezuma.
| Moctezuma II Motecuhzoma Xocoyoti | |
|---|---|
| 9th Tlatoani of Tenochtitlan Ruler of the Aztec Triple Alliance | |
 Moctezuma II in the Codex Mendoza | |
| Reign | 1502–1520 |
| Predecessor | Ahuitzotl |
| Successor | Cuitláhuac |
| Born | c. 1466 |
| Died | June 29, 1520 (aged 53–54) Tenochtitlan |
| Consort | Teotlalco Tlapalizquixochtzin |
| Issue | Isabel Moctezuma Another daughter Chimalpopoca Tlaltecatzin |
| Father | Axayacatl |
Arrival of Cortés
changeHernán Cortés, a Spanish conquistador, arrived in Mesoamerica in 1519 and invaded the Aztec Empire. Instead of seeing Cortés as a threat, Moctezuma thought Cortés was the god Quetzalcoatl and did not fight back.
The Spanish took control of the empire's capital city, Tenochtitlan, in 1520. Cortés took Moctezuma prisoner. When the Aztec people resisted, Cortés told Moctezuma to calm them down. While doing that, Moctezuma was killed.
Death
changeHistorians do not know exactly how Moctezuma died. The Spaniards said he was killed by Aztec people who threw rocks at him. Meanwhile, the Aztecs said Cortés killed Moctezuma. They said they found Moctezuma's body in the streets with many sword wounds after the Spanish left.
Other websites
change
- A reconstructed portrait of Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin, based on historical sources, in a contemporary style.
| Preceded by Ahuitzotl |
Tlatoani of Tenochtitlan 1502–1520 |
Succeeded by Cuitláhuac |
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