Moctezuma II Biography

Montezuma II (also known as Moctezuma, Moteuczoma, Motecuhzoma) was the ninth emperor of the Aztec Empire who ruled from 1502 to 1520. He greatly expanded the Aztec Empire which reached its maximum size during his reign. A brave and ambitious warrior, he undertook several military campaigns which led to the extensive expansion of his empire which grew to include the regions of Xoconosco in Chiapas and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. He was born as the son of Axayacatl, the sixth Aztec Emperor. He was courageous from a young age and proved himself to be a valiant soldier. His uncle succeeded his father to the throne and Montezuma II played significant roles in the military campaigns launched by the emperors succeeding his father. He ascended to the throne upon the death of his uncle and became the emperor at a time when the Aztec Empire’s glory was at its zenith. He further expanded the empire and introduced several reforms in the administration. Montezuma was also highly superstitious. When Spanish Conquistador Hernán Cortés and his men reached the Aztec Empire, he warmly welcomed them believing them to be messengers of God. The Spaniards made use of the opportunity and made Montezuma II a prisoner in his own palace. The emperor died under mysterious circumstances in subsequent conflicts