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Full Description
Tracing events from the discovery of the New World through the fall of the Aztec empire in 1521, this book discusses the battles between the Spanish explorers and the Aztecs--battles that culminated in the ruin of a civilization. The first half of the work alternates between Aztec and Spanish history, discussing events and motivations on each side as the two cultures expanded toward one another on their way to inevitable conflict. Placing special emphasis on Aztec mythology and religious beliefs, the author explains how the Spanish exploited the Aztecs' own cultural practices to insure the success of their invasion. The gold-and-glory engines driving the Spanish Crown and the actions of contemporary Spanish explorers such as Juan Ponce de Leon and Francisco Cordoba are examined. The concluding chapters give a thorough account of the struggle between Hernan Cortes and the Aztec ruler Montezuma, including the role of other indigenous tribes in the eventual downfall of the empire. The final chapter details the siege of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, and summarizes the ultimate destruction of the Aztec civilization.
Contents
Table of Contents
Preface
1. The Flight of the Feathered Serpent
2. The Spanish Invasion
3. The Flight from Aztlán
4. The Voyage of Francisco de Córdoba
5. A Stone Rising from the Water
6. The Grijalva Expedition
7. The Road to Empire
8. In Search of Fame and Fortune
9. Divine Dedication
10. Tales of the Bearded Men
11. The Empire That Was Montezuma's
12. Native Alliances
13. The Long Road to Tlaxcala
14. The Massacre at Cholula
15. Into the Realm of Enchantment
16. The Reins of Power
17. The Struggle for Control of Mexico
18. The Rage of the Sun God
19. La Noche Triste
20. A Foregone Conclusion
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index