Montezuma II
~1466–1520 · Aztec (Tenochtitlan, modern-day Mexico City) · Pre-Columbian Americas, Aztec Empire
Known for: Last independent Aztec emperor—confronted Cortés and died during the Spanish conquest
Montezuma II ruled the Aztec Empire at its height—Tenochtitlan was one of the world's largest cities with 200,000+ people, built on an island in Lake Texcoco with aqueducts, causeways, and pyramids. He expanded the empire through conquest and tribute.
When Cortés arrived in 1519, Montezuma's response was fatally indecisive—whether he believed Cortés was the returning god Quetzalcoatl (probably not, despite the legend) or was simply calculating, he allowed the Spanish into Tenochtitlan. He was taken hostage and died during an uprising—either killed by his own people or by the Spanish.
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