Who was Montezuma II
Moctezuma, who is also commonly known as Montezuma II was the 9th emperor of the Aztec Empire during the 15th century. Today, he is remembered for having lost his empire to Spanish invaders
Moctezuma, who is also commonly known as Montezuma was the 9th emperor of the Aztec Empire during the 15th century. Today, he is remembered for having lost his empire to Spanish invaders.
Montezuma was born in 1466 to Axayacati, who died in 1481. Axayacati’s throne was passed to his brother Tizocic. He reigned for five years until his brother Ahuitzotl assumed rule.By this time, Montezuma reached manhood and served in the military as a general. For his part, his uncle Ahuitzotl was concentrating on the expansion of the empire . The campaigns and battles in which Montezuma took part played a key role in preparing him for the throne.
Ancestry and Family
Montezuma was the son of Emperor Azayacatl and Empress Azcalxochitl.
His wives included Tayhualcan, Teotlaco de Tacuba, Tzihuacxochitzin and Miahuazochtzin.
Montezuma had two brothers. They were Francisco de Xocoyotzin and Cadque de Xicalango.
His half brothers were Atlilxcatzin, Hermana Moctezuma, Matlatzincatzin, Vincente de Saldivar Cortez Moctezuma and Cuitlahuac I who would later become the 10th Aztec Emperor.
He fathered 13 children, including:
- Dona Francisca de Moctezuma
- Leonor de Moctezuma
- Maria de Moctezuma
- Macuil
- Techichpo
- Xocotzin
Reign of Montezuma II
After the death of his uncle in 1502, Moctezuma assumed the throne automatically. He ruled the land until his untimely death in 1520. Due to his uncle’s efforts in expanding the empire, Montezuma’s rule stretched across what is now known as the southern United States to the middle of Central America
Montezuma proved to be a competent government administrator. He developed the program to construct Tenochtitlan. However, the millions of people under his rule were not always happy with the Emperor. As such, overlords rebelled periodically. In anger, Montezuma responded with force, which made him that much more unpopular.
Montezuma II and the Spanish
In 1517, a scout informed Montezuma that strangers were approaching from the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. Upon hearing of the traveler’s great ships, the Emperor ordered that the strangers’ activity be monitored. When they made landfall two years later, Montezuma became fearful.
Hernán Cortés led the expedition of Spanish conquistadores. Cortez quickly established alliances with a number of Montezuma’s subjects who were disgruntled with the Emperor. As the Spaniards drew closer to the Aztec city Tenochtitlan, Montezuma remained calm. His army was vast in comparison to that of the strangers’. But, he decided not to engage in combat.
Initially, he tried appeasing the strangers with gifts in hopes they would leave peacefully. However, they stayed.It is believed that Moctezuma thought that Cortés was the reincarnation of Quetzalcóat.. The people believed that this god would rule over Mexica.
However, others perceive that Montezuma’s strategy was to buy time. He would attack later at an opportune time. But, Cortez turned the tables on the emperor.He believed that holding the emperor hostage would guarantee peace.. So, Montezuma was seized.
Death of Montezuma: assassination or rebellion?
It is commonly believed that Montezuma died in 1520. However, there are different theories as to how he met his end. One story explains that Cortez had the emperor assassinated when he deemed Montezuma was no longer useful.
Another opinion holds that the emperor’s own people killed him. The story goes that Cortez left the city to deal with rival conquistadors. When Cortez returned to Tenochtitlan, he found a revolt underway.Spanish leader urged the emperor to reason with his subjects.
However, when Montezuma attempted to calm the crowd, they lashed out with arrows and rocks. He was said to have died from his injuries three days later. The Aztec empire fell in 1521 and the palace was destroyed by the Spanish.Subsequently, they built what we know today as Mexico City on the rubble of the ruins..
Legacy
In the present day, Montezuma’s descendants reside in Mexico and Spain.They hold the noble title of Counts of Miravalle..
Upon Montezuma’s death, Cortez cared for his daughter Techichpo. She converted to the Catholic faith and was renamed Isabel de Moctezuma. Her first of six husbands was Don Alonso de Grado. She was rumored to have had an illicit affair with Cortez that produced a daughter named Maria Cortes Moctezuma.She married Juan Cano de Saavedra, with whom she had five children.. Her offspring married into noble Spanish families.
Although Isabel lost her Aztec inheritance, Spain recognized her son Pedro Cano de Moctezuma as heir. From that time until 1934, the Spanish relatives of the Moctezuma family received pensions from Mexico and Spain. They were also bestowed with the title to Miravalle County.
According to researcher Jose Miguel Carrillo de Albornoz, approximately 2,000 of Isabel’s relatives are alive today. Her son Pedro’s relatives became known as the Dukes of Moctezuma de Tultengo. The rank and title are currently held by Juan José Marcilla de Teruel-Moctezuma y Valcárcel.
Montezuma II in Popular Culture
In 2008, archaeologists discovered the remnants of Montezuma’s palace in downtown Mexico City. The entire complex was believed to have consisted of five connecting buildings that served as Montezuma’s office, the living quarters of his wives and children. There was also reportedly a zoo. Excavations were to continue under the Museum of Culture in hopes of finding more evidence of the palace.
The phrase “Montezuma’s revenge” refers to traveler’s diarrhea. Tourists visiting Mexico and mistakenly drinking the water succumb to the illness brought about by bacterial contamination. The phrase developed as a tongue-in-cheek belief that the emperor was exacting revenge on unwanted invaders to his country.
The Marine Hymn mentions the “Halls of Montezuma.”The location involves the Battle of Chapultepec where the marines fought during the Mexican-American War. General Winfield Scott led his soldiers from Vera Cruz to Mexico City. Along the way, they made a stop at Chapultepec and captured the fortress. When the marines were deemed victorious, they flew the American flag over the National Palace of Mexico, which is also referred to as “The Halls of Montezuma”.
You may be interested to read: Tenochtitlan God: The Divine Power Shaping an Empire