Montezuma II
The Aztec empire was at its most authoritative during the rule of Ahuitzotl, from 1482 to 1502. Following the death of Ahuitzotl, Montezuma II took over the control of the empire reaching from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, and Central Mexico. Montezuma II was the 9th emperor of the Aztecs, he was know as Motecuhzuma Xocoyotzin. Nowadays, his name has many different spellings, including Motecuhzuma and Moctezuma. He was born around the year 1466 and was bound to be a successful ruler before he reigned during 1502 to 1520. He ruled an empire of over 5 million people. Montezuma II was very a smart and industrious ruler. In multiple ways, Montezuma seemed to be quite a harsh ruler. It was in 1517 that Montezuma received news of strangers that had landed on the coast.
Relationship Between Cortes & MontezumaThen in 1519 Cortes and Montezuma met, in the beginning they were kind to each other. Montezuma, believed that the Spanish were descendants of the god Quetzalcoatl, tried to persuade Cortes to leave with rich gifts. But later that year Cortes held Montezuma captive and attempted to govern Tenochtitlan through him. In 1520 the Aztecs rose against the Spanish, this is known as the siege of Tenochtitlan. Montezuma II was killed, it is not know if he was killed by the Spanish or the Aztecs.
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