Tracing events from the discovery of the New World through the fall of the Aztec empire in 1521, this book discusses the battles between the Spanish explorers and the Aztecs--battles that culminated in the ruin of a civilization. The first half of the work alternates between Aztec and Spanish history, discussing events and motivations on each side as the two cultures expanded toward one another on their way to inevitable conflict. Placing special emphasis on Aztec mythology and religious beliefs, the author explains how the Spanish exploited the Aztecs' own cultural practices to insure the success of their invasion. The gold-and-glory engines driving the Spanish Crown and the actions of contemporary Spanish explorers such as Juan Ponce de Leon and Francisco Cordoba are examined. The concluding chapters give a thorough account of the struggle between Hernan Cortes and the Aztec ruler Montezuma, including the role of other indigenous tribes in the eventual downfall of the empire. The final chapter details the siege of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, and summarizes the ultimate destruction of the Aztec civilization.
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Tracing events from the discovery of the New World through the fall of the Aztec empire in 1521, this book discusses the battles between the Spanish explorers and the Aztecs. Placing emphasis on Aztec mythology and religious beliefs, it explains how the Spanish exploited the Aztecs' own cultural practices to insure the success of their invasion.
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Table of Contents Preface      1. The Flight of the Feathered Serpent      2. The Spanish Invasion      3. The Flight from Aztlán      4. The Voyage of Francisco de Córdoba      5. A Stone Rising from the Water      6. The Grijalva Expedition      7. The Road to Empire      8. In Search of Fame and Fortune      9. Divine Dedication      10. Tales of the Bearded Men      11. The Empire That Was Montezuma's      12. Native Alliances      13. The Long Road to Tlaxcala      14. The Massacre at Cholula      15. Into the Realm of Enchantment      16. The Reins of Power      17. The Struggle for Control of Mexico      18. The Rage of the Sun God      19. La Noche Triste      20. A Foregone Conclusion      Chapter Notes      Bibliography      Index     
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Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9780786422524
Publisert
2005-12-02
Utgiver
Vendor
McFarland & Co Inc
Vekt
381 gr
Høyde
229 mm
Bredde
152 mm
Dybde
14 mm
Aldersnivå
UU, UP, P, 05, 06
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Heftet

Forfatter

Biographical note

After a long career in the banking industry, Peter O. Koch now runs a small online business. The author of several books, his research interests include American Indian cultures and the New World expeditions of the Spaniards. He lives in Bradenton, Florida.