One of Montezuma II's major accomplishments was his role in the expansion and consolidation of the Aztec Empire. He came to power in 1502 and inherited a large and powerful empire that had been established by his predecessors. However, during his reign, the Aztec Empire continued to grow, both through military conquest and through the incorporation of new tributary states. Montezuma II was a skilled military strategist and was able to lead successful campaigns against neighboring states, such as the Tlaxcaltecas, who had long resisted Aztec domination. He was also able to maintain good relations with many of the tributary states, which helped to secure the loyalty of these allies and prevent rebellions.
Another important accomplishment of Montezuma II was his role in the development and refinement of the Aztec system of government and administration. He was known for his strong leadership and his ability to maintain order and stability within the empire. He implemented a system of taxation and tribute that helped to support the functioning of the Aztec state and provided resources for public works projects and other initiatives. He also oversaw the development of a complex bureaucracy that was responsible for the administration and management of the empire.
In addition to his political and military accomplishments, Montezuma II was also a patron of the arts and a patron of education. He was known for his love of poetry and song, and he supported the arts by commissioning works of art and literature. He also established schools throughout the empire and encouraged the study of history, science, and other subjects.
In conclusion, Montezuma II was a significant figure in the history of the Aztec Empire. He played a key role in the expansion and consolidation of the empire, and he was a skilled ruler who implemented important reforms and supported the arts and education. Despite his eventual downfall at the hands of the Spanish, his legacy lives on as a testament to his many accomplishments as the leader of the Aztec people.
How did Montezuma II Die? Quetzaltepec was also conquered, but it rebelled along with various sites across Oaxaca soon after when the Mexica lost the Several military defeats occurred in some of these expansionist campaigns however, such as the invasion of Amatlan in 1509, where an unexpected series of snowstorms and blizzards killed many soldiers, making the surviving ones too low in numbers to fight. Gold, jewelry, food, and other valuable resources were provided. Symbol of indigenous leadership As a symbol of resistance against the Spanish, the name of Moctezuma has been invoked in several indigenous rebellions. Retrieved 22 May 2018. The upper floor had a large courtyard which was likely used as a cuicacalli, for public shows during religious rituals.
Motecuhzoma commanded, then, an empire which stretched from the northern limits of Mexico to today's Guatemala. He had his own luxurious palace in Tenochtitlan and many full-time servants to cater to his every whim. Montezuma: Warlord of the Aztecs. If he had never shown great personal bravery on the battlefield, he never would have been considered for Tlatoani in the first place. Following La Noche Triste, more than half of Cortes' force had been defeated and his contingent of Tlaxcalteca forces had most abandoned him. After the campaigns in the Oaxaca region, Moctezuma began to move his campaigns into northern and eastern territories around 1514, conquering the site of Quetzalapan, a Chichimec territory through the Huastec region, taking 1332 captives and suffering minimal casualties, with only 95 reported losses.
The bottom floor had two rooms which were used by the government. These animals were fed on hunted animals like deer, turkeys and other smaller animals. Researchers believe an additional line of descent exists in Mexico through Ana Francisca de Gabay y Moctezuma, the wife of Basque nobleman, and early colonist and settler in Mexico, Don Lope Ruiz de Esparza. Her will reveals her to have been a decisive and strong woman who was generous and thoughtful. Retrieved 18 December 2021. His sportsmanship made him a physically fit man. He was also a despotic ruler.
London: The British Museum Press. . Retrieved 29 December 2020. Durán Codex Quetzaltepec was conquered on the same campaign as Tototepec, as both reportedly murdered the merchants sent by Moctezuma in the area. His complete name was Mohtecuzoma II Xocoyotsin. One of the first things history students are taught in their studies is how to handle primary sources. This rebellion occurred in 1508, which was repressed by a prince named Macuilmalinatzin.
During his campaign against Jaltepec and Cuatzontlan see below , he made negotiations with the Tlatelolca to obtain the weapons and resources needed. Devoutly religious, he ultimately provoked the Spanish conquest of the empire. According to the Spanish version, Montezuma died as a result of his injuries. On top of this the Massacre in the Great Temple caused a serious coordination issue for the Aztec military. Moctezuma and the lords of Texcoco and Tlacopan, Nezahualpilli and Totoquihuatzin, attempted their best to aid the population during the disaster, including using all available food supplies to feed the population and raising tributes for 1 year. These subject states all paid tribute as indicated in the Aztec tax records. Still, after reading the article, that was not the case when he surrendered to the Spaniards.
Antagonistic rulers had been invited into the cities of their enemies to witness religious events or engage in negotiations across Mesoamerica, despite the risks entailed, because that is what Mesoamericans believed a competent leader did. The Millennial Kingdom of the Franciscans in the New World: A Study of the Writings of Gerónimo de Mendieta 1525—1604 2nd edition, reviseded. Internal policy and various events Natural disasters Moctezuma's reign began with difficulties. One of them was used for Moctezuma's advisors and judges who dealt with situations of the commoners, likely the Tlacxitlan. This courtyard had around it suites of rooms which surrounded smaller courtyards and gardens. This battle reportedly ended with 8200 Mexicas killed or captured.
Moctezuma had numerous wives and concubines by whom he fathered an enormous family, but only two women held the position of queen — Tlapalizquixochtzin and Teotlalco. This theme of the power and authority of a Mesoamerican state being an extension of the nature of a ruler appears again and again in the history of Mesoamerica. He soon advanced to Otompan today known as Otumba, State of Mexico , where he sent a message before his entrance in hopes of being received as a king there as well. It also had three patios, and, in one of them, there was a fountain with water brought from Chapultepec a lake near Tenochtitlan. Thus when Cortes fought the Aztec army, he was not pitted against a commander with know-how needed to change tactics dynamically. For the same reason, he was a ruler who distanced himself from the people. However his rule and policies suffered a very sudden interruption upon the news of the arrival of Spanish ships at the east in 1519 see below.
