In 1519, The Spanish explorer Hernando Cortes landed on the east coast of Mexico with 500 soldiers and 16 horses and later marched inland in search of gold. What he first found was the Aztecs, the largest and strongest Empire in pre-hispanic Mexico. When Moctezuma heard the news that white man with horses and armor were seen on the east coast something the Aztecs have never seen before Moctezuma though it was the god Quetzalcóatl that promise hes return one day. To placate them, the Indians sent gifts of gold and other precious objects. Then one day, Cortés was presented with tribute of a different kind: a gift of 20 slave girls was delivered to the Spanish encampment. Out of these he chose one described by the chronicler as "outgoing, meddlesome, and beautiful," The Spanish baptized her "Marina," she who came from the sea, but her people called her "la Malinche," the traitoress, a traitoress to the Indians. She was thrust into an extraordinary destiny, whatever name she was given. She became "mi lengua," for Cortés who took her as his interpreter and lover. "Mi lengua," "my tongue," the interpreter who would guide him through the Aztec empire. Through Malinche, who quickly acquired a knowledge of Spanish, Cortés was able to interview the messengers and envoys who came to his camp. He learned that the great king Moctezuma lived in a magnificent city beyond the mountains and that his armies, lined up in a field, would cover it like the waves of the sea. But he was also informed that many vassal kings, who owed allegiance to the emperor, secretly detested him, and would readily support anyone who might help them throw off the hated Aztec yoke. But if the vassal kings were ready to march, the Spanish were not. Skirmishes had taken their toll. Bread was becoming scarce, as were salt and bacon. Some feared the cold of the mountains; others complained of the weight of the armor. But Cortés refused to turn back with empty hands.
The Spanish soldiers were divided between their desire for fame and wealth and their fear of defeat and death. "We're only 500," they told Cortés, and he answered, "Then our hearts must be doubly courageous." "We are dying of fevers and Indian attacks," others complained. "Let us go back, let us sail back," others said in frank mutiny. "But there are no ships," Cortés answered, "I have sunk the ships, right here.
Cortez destroyed hes own ships to assure the company of hes man. There is no way but up, there is no retreat. We must go forward to Mexico ." So, the soldiers cheered and acclaimed Cortés as their leader, and all cried "Forward, to Mexico, to Mexico!"
On August the 16th, 1519, the Great March began. Many other indians that were invaded and resented their heavy taxes by the Aztecs joined the march to the Aztec capital. Mexico City lay 250 miles to the northwest beyond the mighty volcanos of Popocatépetl and Ixtaccíhuatl. On a causeway leading to the city, one of the great encounters of history now took place. Exposed and outnumbered, Cortés could count on nothing but the courage and resolution of his men.
But to Moctezuma, he was a god, the Plumed Serpent who was returning to his people. Finally, when the Spaniards arrived these were the first words of Cortes and Montezuma..
You have come back to us; you have come down from the sky. Rest now, and take possession of your royal houses. Welcome to your land, my lords! " When Motecuhzoma had finished, La Malinche translated his address into Spanish so that the Captain could understand it. Cortés replied in his strange and savage tongue, speaking first to La Malinche: "Tell Motecuhzoma that we are his friends.
There is nothing to fear. We have wanted to see him for a long time, and now we have seen his face and heard his words. Tell him that we love him well and that our hearts are contented."
Then he said to Motecuhzoma: "We have come to your house in Mexico as friends. There is nothing to fear."
La Malinche translated this speech and the Spaniards grasped Motecuhzoma's hands and patted his back to show their affection for him....
Cortez took advantage of the biggest mistake Motecuhzoma did. Cortez was aided by the legend of Queztalcoatl, the feathered serpent god who was to return one day from the east as a fair-skinned bearded god.
[Spaniard Defeat][Aztec Defeat][Aztec Kings][Aztec Gods]
