Reading 3: Aztec Account of the Spanish Attack Notes

Aztec Account of the Spanish Attack

  • This account aggregates early written reports by Aztec authors describing the destruction of Tenochtitlan by a coalition of Spanish and Indigenous armies.
  • The collection was assembled by Miguel Leon-Portilla, a Mexican anthropologist.

Initial Meeting and Exchange

  • Montezuma presented necklaces to Cortés.
  • Cortés questioned Montezuma about his identity.
  • Montezuma confirmed he was the king.
  • Montezuma welcomed Cortés to Mexico, his city.
  • Montezuma acknowledged previous kings who preserved the city for Cortés' arrival: Itzcoatl, Montezuma the Elder, Axayacatl, Tizoc, and Ahuitzol.
  • Montezuma expressed a sense of destiny and questioned if the previous kings could witness the present.
  • He said, "I was in agony for five days, for ten days, with my eyes fixed on the Region of the Mystery. And now you have come out of the clouds and mists to sit on your throne again."
  • Montezuma stated that the kings foretold this event.
  • He welcomed Cortés to his royal houses.

Communication and Deception

  • La Malinche translated Montezuma’s address into Spanish for Cortés.
  • Cortés replied, assuring Montezuma of their friendship and affection, translated by La Malinche.
  • Cortés stated they came as friends and there was nothing to fear.
  • The Spaniards showed affection by grasping Montezuma’s hands and patting his back.

Escalation and Violence

  • The people asked Montezuma how to celebrate their god’s fiesta. He instructed them to dress the god in finery.
  • The Sun commanded that Montezuma and Itzcohuatzin be made prisoners.
  • The Spaniards hanged Nezahualquentzin, a chief from Acolhuacan.
  • They murdered Cohualpopocatzin, the king of Nauhtla, by wounding him with arrows and burning him alive.

Massacre During the Fiesta

  • Sentries from Tenochtitlan and Tlatelolco were guarding the Eagle Gate.
  • Messengers instructed them to dress the figure of Huitzilopochtli.
  • The sentries left their posts to dress the figure in sacred ornaments and paper clothing.
  • The celebrants began to sing.
  • Without warning, the Spaniards killed the dancers and singers, who were unarmed.
  • They only carried embroidered cloaks, turquoises, lip plugs, necklaces, heron feathers, and deer hooves trinkets.
  • The Spaniards attacked the musicians first, killing them.
  • The slaughter in the Sacred Patio lasted for three hours.

Further Atrocities

  • The Spaniards entered the temple rooms, killing those carrying water, fodder for horses, grinding meal, sweeping, or standing watch.
  • Montezuma, accompanied by Itzcohuatzin and food providers, protested, stating they were unarmed.
  • The people were murdered on the twentieth day after the captain left for the coast.

Beginning of War

  • The Aztecs initially allowed the Captain to return to the city in peace.
  • The Aztecs then attacked with full force, marking the beginning of the war.