Aztec Emperor. He was the eldest legitimate son of emperor Ahuitzotl. He became emperor in 1520 on the death of Montezuma's successor, Cuitláhuac. Hernán Cortés, with powerful Indian allies, that was then marching on Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital. Forced to retreat in 1521, he defended his capital in a siege that left most of the city destroyed and few Indians surviving. Once he was captured he was tortured to reveal the location of hidden Aztec wealth. He endured the pain without complaint and his refusal to speak became legendary. The modern-day town of Ixcateopan in the state of Guerrero is home to a depository for the bones of the dead purportedly containing Cuauhtémoc's remains. Archeologist Eulalia Guzmán, excavated the bones in 1949, however they were found to be bones of a number of different people and may of them women and not those of Cuauhtémoc. He is someone that represents a quality of indigenous nationalism in Mexico, being the only Aztec emperor who survived the conquest by the Spanish Empire and their native allies. He is honored by a monument on the Paseo de la Reforma, his face has appeared on Mexican banknotes, and he is celebrated in paintings, music, and popular culture. His name Cuauhtemoc means "attacking eagle" in the Aztec language.
Aztec Emperor. He was the eldest legitimate son of emperor Ahuitzotl. He became emperor in 1520 on the death of Montezuma's successor, Cuitláhuac. Hernán Cortés, with powerful Indian allies, that was then marching on Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital. Forced to retreat in 1521, he defended his capital in a siege that left most of the city destroyed and few Indians surviving. Once he was captured he was tortured to reveal the location of hidden Aztec wealth. He endured the pain without complaint and his refusal to speak became legendary. The modern-day town of Ixcateopan in the state of Guerrero is home to a depository for the bones of the dead purportedly containing Cuauhtémoc's remains. Archeologist Eulalia Guzmán, excavated the bones in 1949, however they were found to be bones of a number of different people and may of them women and not those of Cuauhtémoc. He is someone that represents a quality of indigenous nationalism in Mexico, being the only Aztec emperor who survived the conquest by the Spanish Empire and their native allies. He is honored by a monument on the Paseo de la Reforma, his face has appeared on Mexican banknotes, and he is celebrated in paintings, music, and popular culture. His name Cuauhtemoc means "attacking eagle" in the Aztec language.
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