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Montezuma, -1520

The last Aztec emperor of Mexico; born about 1470. Because of his merits as a warrior and priest, he was elected emperor in 1502. He was in the act of sweeping the stairs of the great temple-teocalle at Mexico when his elevation was announced to him. His sumptuous style of living and great public expenses caused a grievous imposition of taxes. This, with his haughty deportment, made many of his subjects discontented. His empire was invaded by Cortez in 1519, when he gave the audacious Spaniard, at first, great advantages by a temporizing policy. Cortez seized him and held him as a hostage. He would not accept Christianity in exchange for his [251] own religion, but he formally recognized the supremacy of the crown of Spain, to whom he sent an immense quantity of gold as tribute. While Cortez was about to assail a force sent against him by Velasquez, the Mexicans revolted against the Spaniards. Cortez either persuaded or compelled Montezuma to address his turbulent subjects and try to appease the rising tumult; but the latter, having lost respect for their emperor, assailed and wounded him with missiles. From the injuries thus received he died in June, 1520. See Cortez, Hernando; Velasquez, Diego.

Harper and Brothers Publishers. . New York. 1902.

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