Montezuma was no stranger to warfare as the ninth ruler of the Aztec Empire and Emperor of Tenochtitlan. Indeed, he excelled at it. Receiving…
Montezuma was no stranger to warfare as the ninth ruler of the Aztec Empire and Emperor of Tenochtitlan. Indeed, he excelled at it. Receiving an outstanding education and becoming both scholar and priest at Huitzilopochtli’s temple temple; distinguished himself in numerous battles. Additionally he proved adept at politics while living an extraordinary lifestyle with his luxurious palace at the center of Tenochtitlan city as well as full-time servants ready to cater to any request and numerous wives and concubines at his command.
Montezuma’s lifestyle as part of the elite Tlatoani class was unparalleled by any other kings or sultans of his time. His daily diet included thirty different dishes ranging from turkey, pheasant and partridge to rabbit, venison and wild boar; his closest servants used special cups that only they used; he traveled around in a great litter; had his own zoo with carnivorous animals as well as an extensive collection of exotic birds in his palace aviary.
Montezuma knew the end was near; he heard stories about strange men coming from faraway, destroying land and taking people hostage; when these strangers finally appeared he was prepared.
Montezuma feared that Spaniards were sent by his god Quetzalcoatl to take over his empire when it was at its most glorious. To prevent a conflict with them, Montezuma attempted to make peace through gifts and welcome ceremonies; additionally he consulted Mexica diviners and priests about these strangers in order to gain answers about who they were, what their motives were, and the best way to deal with them.
While much has been written about Moctezuma’s opinion of the Spanish, we really don’t know. There have been reports that he believed they were gods; this legend only gained prominence later. What we do know, however, is that when Hernan Cortes and his men entered Tenochtitlan in November 1519 without resistance (even though he could easily have defeated them), Moctezuma did not put up resistance or put up any fight whatsoever against Hernan Cortes and his men.
No matter how we interpret Montezuma’s beliefs about Spaniards as gods, his actions serve as an excellent lesson that it’s best to extend a hand of friendship rather than fight a battle that you will likely lose. When traveling abroad, keep some Pepto Diarrhea on hand just in case!*