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The End of the Aztecs The tattered band of Spanish conquistadors crept into the beleaguered city. Everywhere they looked they saw dead bodies. The 80-day siege that had cut off all supplies of food and water had transformed the once magnificent Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán into a vast cemetery. During those 80 days, more than 240,000 people had died agonizing deaths after being reduced to eating lizards, weeds, and even leather in a vain attempt to cling to life. It was the end of the mighty Aztec Empire-and of the beautiful city of Tenochtitlán. It was also the tragic end of one of the most advanced cultures the world has ever seen. But, how did an empire that ruled more than 15 million people fall to a band of 600 conquistadors? The answer is both intricate and mysterious. Omens Montezuma II, emperor of the mighty Aztec Empire, slept fitfully, haunted by the disturbing omens that soothsayers had been pointing out. Comets, sudden unexplained fires, floods, and deformed births all indicated that some disaster was about to sweep through the Aztec realm. To make matters worse, the most learned of the soothsayers were unable to interpret these dangerous omens. Fearful for the future, Montezuma had even challenged the ruler of a neighboring city to a ritual ball game. According to Aztec legend, the out- comes of such ceremonial games could be used to predict the future. In Montezuma's case, he had challenged the ruler of Texcoco to the game to determine whether the Texcocan astrologers' pre- dictions of an imminent invasion were true. The Texcocan ruler had firmly trounced Montezuma. The Spaniards In the spring of 1519, Montezuma's fears were heightened by reports of floating "hills" sighted off the eastern coast of his empire. He dispatched emissaries to confirm the reports, and they returned with even more incredible stories of the floating hills. These hills, the emissaries breathlessly reported, carried strange-looking tall, chalk- complexioned creatures with yellow beards. The creatures even rode on the backs of giant deer, and had giant weapons that spit fire! Today, of course, we know that the floating hills were Spanish ships, the creatures were Spanish conquistadors under the command of Hernando Cortes, and the deer were horses. But the reports filled Montezuma with dread. Could these creatures be the legendary god Quetzalcoatl and his soldiers returning to Mexico as he had promised when he had been forced out of the country 600 years ago? It was only logical that Quetzalcoatl would return this year, for it was the year One Reed, or Ce Acatl. And Ce Acatl was one of the sacred names of Quetzalcoatl. Besides, Quetzalcoatl had disappeared eastward and had promised to return from the east. If indeed Quetzalcoatl was among the creatures, Montezuma had to welcome the triumphant god; or could these creatures be the invaders that the astrologers had warned against? If so, Montezuma had to unleash his mighty armies and drive the invaders into the sea. Throughout the summer and fall, Cortes and his band of 600 conquistadors marched relentlessly toward the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán. Uncertain of the real identity of the invaders, Montezuma sent lavish gifts, including the ceremonial cloaks of Quetzalcoatl and huge plates of gold, to try to convince them to leave the empire. The gifts, however, only whetted the Spaniards' unquenchable appetite for gold. At the same time, the emperor sent sorcerers to cast spells, and guides to lead the strangers over hazardous routes in hopes that they would fall off the sides of steep precipices. The Spaniards in Tenochtitlan All of Montezuma’s ploys failed, and the Spaniards neared the Aztec capital. Finally, on November 8, 1519, the richly adorned Montezuma mounted a giant litter and went to greet the Spaniards on the causeway leading into the imperial city. As the emperor neared the approaching Spaniards, his large party of nobles stopped and bowed deeply as he descended from the litter. Then, servants-their eyes cast downward, for it was a sin to look at the emperorscrambled to sweep the ground before him. Slowly, ever so slowly, the regal Montezuma approached the Spaniards, welcomed them, and led them into his city. Without fighting a single Aztec warrior, the Spaniards thus entered the most fabulous city on earth. Giant pyramids, teeming marketplaces, and elaborate palaces loomed before the Spaniards. Indeed, the city was far more magnificent than any European city of the time. Conquest Once inside the city, the Spaniards were again showered with gold. And the noble Montezuma even allowed himself to be taken hostage, perhaps still uncertain whether his guests were gods or humans. For months an uneasy truce was maintained between the Aztecs and the Spaniards. Then, when Cortes was out of the city, one of his men ordered the slaughter of hundreds of Aztecs during a feast. Outraged, the Aztecs besieged the Spaniards in their palace. Although Cortes persuaded Montezuma to address his people and order them to stop the siege, the Aztec emperor no longer had his people's trust. They had seen how he allowed himself to be taken hostage and considered him far too weak to lead the empire. When he appeared before them, the people first jeered and then pelted him with stones, so injuring him that he soon died from his wounds. Desperate, the Spaniards crept out of the city under cover of darkness. Although the Aztecs discovered the flight and attacked, many of the Spaniards escaped and soon returned to besiege the city. By 1521 the Spaniards had conquered the capital. The Aztec Empire was no more. Reasons for the Conquest But how could a force of only a few hundred men defeat an empire with 15 million subjects? First, many of the people of the empire hated the harshness of their Aztec overlords. As a result, they willingly allied themselves with the Spaniards to topple the Aztecs. Historians believe that as many as 150,000 Indian allies helped the Spaniards besiege Tenochtitlán. Second, Montezuma's indecisiveness certainly played a role. We can only speculate how history might have been different had the emperor ordered the murder of the Spaniards when they first appeared in the empire. Third, the Spaniards' weapons were far superior to those of the Aztecs. Whatever the causes for the Aztec defeat, one thing is certain. The defeat spelled the end of one of the most brilliant civilizations the world has ever known.