Paperback, good condition
Graham Hancock, renowned for his expertise in ancient civilizations and the bestselling book Fingerprints of the Gods, merges his interests in archaeology and hallucinogens in the second volume of the War God trilogy. The narrative follows conquistador Hernan Cortes as he dreams of Tenochtitlan, the fabled Aztec city of gold. To claim the Aztecs' riches, Cortes and his mere five hundred men must confront the deranged emperor Moctezuma and his vast army of hundreds of thousands.
Hernán Cortés and the Conquest of the Aztec Empire
Hernán Cortés, a Spanish conquistador, led an expedition that resulted in the fall of the mighty Aztec Empire in the early 16th century. Driven by a desire for gold, glory, and God, Cortés and his small force of Spanish soldiers, along with thousands of indigenous allies, embarked on a daring campaign that reshaped the course of history in Mexico.
Early Encounters and Alliances
Cortés first arrived on the Mexican coast in 1519, having previously destroyed Maya settlements in Potonchan. He quickly established alliances with rival indigenous groups, such as the Tlaxcalans, who were enemies of the Aztecs
. These alliances proved crucial to Cortés' eventual success.
Confronting Moctezuma and the Aztecs
Upon reaching Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire, Cortés encountered the Aztec emperor, Moctezuma II
. Through a combination of diplomacy, intimidation, and the belief that Cortés was a returning god, the conquistador managed to gain a foothold in the city
.
Siege and Fall of Tenochtitlan
After a series of battles and negotiations, Cortés and his forces, aided by their indigenous allies, laid siege to Tenochtitlan in 1521
. The city eventually fell, marking the end of the Aztec Empire and the beginning of Spanish rule in central Mexico
.
Legacy and Controversy
Cortés' conquest of the Aztecs was a remarkable military achievement, but it also brought about significant changes to the region. The Spanish colonization of Mexico led to the subjugation of indigenous populations, the introduction of European diseases, and the imposition of Catholic beliefs
. Today, Cortés remains a controversial figure, celebrated by some for his daring exploits but condemned by others for the devastating impact of Spanish colonization on the native peoples of Mexico
.
