Montezuma

Montezuma, or Moctezuma, name of two Aztec rulers of Mexico before the Spanish conquest. Montezuma I (1390–1469) was a successful military leader who ruled from 1440. His descendant, Montezuma II (1466?–1520), was the last Aztec emperor (c. 1502–20). When the Spanish conquistadors arrived, Montezuma failed to resist them because he believed Cortés to be the god Quetzalcoatl. When Montezuma was taken hostage, the Aztecs rebelled against the Spanish, and Montezuma was killed in the struggle.

See also: Aztecs.