Montezuma Essay, Research Paper

Montezuma

Montezuma was the ruler of the Aztecs. Aztecs lived in Mexico around

the 1400’s to 1500’s. They were an advanced civilization. Their religion seemed

brutal to us but normal to them. Their clothes and customs have changed.

Aztecs lived where southern Mexico is today. Tenochtitlan was their

capital until Spain came around. Due to their religion and customs, Hernando

Cortez, leader of the Spanish Conquest, was believed to be a white god. He made

Montezuma prisoner and captured Tenoctitlan and renamed it Mexico City.

Sacrificing people to gods was a normal thing. They would sacrifice

slaves and prisoners. That is why they waged war with people. Usually they cut

the heart out of a living victim. They thought if you ate someone’s flesh, you

obtained their courage. Every 52 years, they had a new beginning. They would

light a fire on someone’s chest who is alive, then people put their blood on it

so they could become part of it.

Very much do you hear of their culture today and very few people can

speak their language. Their clothes and ways have changed. Their culture was

advanced, large and successful for a period of time.