The New Student's Reference Work/Montezuma

Montezuma or Moctezuma II (mŏn-tḗ-zo͞o′mä), the last of the Aztec emperors of Mexico (q. v.), was born in 1479 and ascended the throne in 1502. He gave his chief attention to the improvement of the laws of the country and to building the magnificent palaces associated with his name. His enormous expenses led to heavy taxation, which resulted in many revolts. When Cortez (q. v.), the Spanish conqueror, landed in Mexico in 1519, Montezuma tried to buy him off with his treasures of gold and silver. Admitting him to his halls as a guest, he soon found himself a prisoner in the Spanish camp. To quiet a revolt of the people Cortez led out Montezuma, who was wounded by a stone thrown by some one in the crowd. This, added to his other indignities, broke his heart. Tearing the bandages from his wound, he refused all remedies and food, and died at Tenochtitlan, June 30, 1520. See Conquest of Mexico by Prescott and Story of Mexico by Hale.