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Cortés y Moctezuma
127 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2002
3 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Bernal Díaz del Castillo
188 books54 followersBernal Díaz del Castillo (1492 – ca. 1580) was a conquistador, who wrote an eyewitness account of the conquest of Mexico by the Spaniards under Hernán Cortés, himself serving as a rodelero under Cortés. Born in Medina del Campo (Spain), he came from a family of little wealth and he himself had received only a minimal education. He sailed to Tierra Firme in 1514 to make his fortune, but after two years found few opportunities there. Much of the native population had already been killed by epidemics and there was political unrest. So he sailed to Cuba, where he was promised a grant of Indian slaves. But that promise was never fulfilled, leading Díaz, in 1517, to join an expedition being organized by a group of about 110 fellow settlers from Tierra Firme and similarly disaffected Spaniards. They chose Francisco Hernández de Córdoba, a wealthy Cuban landowner, to lead the expedition. It was a difficult venture, and although they discovered the Yucatán coast, by the time the expedition returned to Cuba they were in disastrous shape.
Nevertheless, Díaz returned to the coast of Yucatán the following year, on an expedition led by Juan de Grijalva, with the intent of exploring the newly discovered lands. Upon returning to Cuba, he enlisted in a new expedition, this one led by Hernán Cortés. In this third effort, Díaz took part in one of the legendary military campaigns of history, bringing an end to the Aztec empire in Mesoamerica. During this campaign, Díaz spoke frequently with his companions in arms about their experiences, collecting them into a coherent narration. The book that resulted from this was Historia verdadera de la conquista de la Nueva España (English: The True History of the Conquest of New Spain). In it he describes many of the 119 battles in which he claims to have participated, culminating in the fall of the Aztec Empire in 1521.
As a reward for his service, Díaz was appointed governor of Santiago de los Caballeros, present-day Antigua Guatemala. He began writing his history in 1568, almost fifty years after the events described, in response to an alternative history written by Cortés's chaplain, who had not actually participated in the campaign. He called his book the Historia Verdadera ("True History"), in response to the claims made in the earlier work.
Díaz died in 1585, without seeing his book published. A manuscript was found in a Madrid library in 1632 and finally published, providing an eye-witness account of the events, often told from the perspective of a common soldier. Today it is one of the most important sources in understanding the campaign that led to the collapse of the Aztec Empire and the Spanish conquest of Mexico.
Nevertheless, Díaz returned to the coast of Yucatán the following year, on an expedition led by Juan de Grijalva, with the intent of exploring the newly discovered lands. Upon returning to Cuba, he enlisted in a new expedition, this one led by Hernán Cortés. In this third effort, Díaz took part in one of the legendary military campaigns of history, bringing an end to the Aztec empire in Mesoamerica. During this campaign, Díaz spoke frequently with his companions in arms about their experiences, collecting them into a coherent narration. The book that resulted from this was Historia verdadera de la conquista de la Nueva España (English: The True History of the Conquest of New Spain). In it he describes many of the 119 battles in which he claims to have participated, culminating in the fall of the Aztec Empire in 1521.
As a reward for his service, Díaz was appointed governor of Santiago de los Caballeros, present-day Antigua Guatemala. He began writing his history in 1568, almost fifty years after the events described, in response to an alternative history written by Cortés's chaplain, who had not actually participated in the campaign. He called his book the Historia Verdadera ("True History"), in response to the claims made in the earlier work.
Díaz died in 1585, without seeing his book published. A manuscript was found in a Madrid library in 1632 and finally published, providing an eye-witness account of the events, often told from the perspective of a common soldier. Today it is one of the most important sources in understanding the campaign that led to the collapse of the Aztec Empire and the Spanish conquest of Mexico.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 28, 2016
This is a selection of excerpts taken from The Conquest of New Spain, published as a Penguin 60s Classic.
This reads very well, it is very descriptively written - it conjures the scenes well - spending time talking through the sights of the markets, the temples, the city in general. It also describes the main people in the story - Montezuma being the Aztec leader, and the Spanish conquistadors too.
This is an interesting part of history - the 1519 campaign of the Spanish in attempting to conquer the Aztecs of Mexico, led by Hernando Cortes. It is an interesting piece of propaganda really. Bearing in mind the title of this excerpt, and the exact words on the blurb "Montezuma, the Aztec's greatest king, met the Spanish conquistadors first with threats, then with gifts and guile, only to be undone in the end by his own people." While this is true, a more realist view is the Spanish were manipulative and dishonest about their intentions, lied in order to have the Aztecs provide gold and jewels, and turned many of Montezuma's caciques (chiefs below him) and even his relatives against him.
In this writing, Montezuma comes across as a fine leader, although naive in his trust of the Spanish. He understands the principle the Spanish propose - cooperate and keep your people safe - he weighs up the long term implications of his decisions, and is prepared to sacrifice various things for the benefit of his people. He voluntarily remains under the arrest of the Spanish, and allows some of his caciques to be arrested to try and suppress a violent uprising against the Spanish. He shows a willingness to engage his people to discuss his decisions and options, and to try and talk those opposing him around to his way of thinking.
It is written as an unfortunate accident - almost freak in nature - during a violent engagement between the Aztecs and their Spanish invaders. While the Aztecs are attacking Spanish, holed up in their quarters, Montezuma is lifted to a battlement to try and pacify his people below. The barrage of darts, arrows and stones continues, and Montezuma is hit. Seemingly only injured, his death is a surprise to all.
The excerpt ends pretty abruptly, not explaining how the Spanish escape, but I guess this is the hook to read the full book.
Somewhere between 4 and 5 stars - one of the more enjoyable of these Penguin 60 Classics for me.
This reads very well, it is very descriptively written - it conjures the scenes well - spending time talking through the sights of the markets, the temples, the city in general. It also describes the main people in the story - Montezuma being the Aztec leader, and the Spanish conquistadors too.
This is an interesting part of history - the 1519 campaign of the Spanish in attempting to conquer the Aztecs of Mexico, led by Hernando Cortes. It is an interesting piece of propaganda really. Bearing in mind the title of this excerpt, and the exact words on the blurb "Montezuma, the Aztec's greatest king, met the Spanish conquistadors first with threats, then with gifts and guile, only to be undone in the end by his own people." While this is true, a more realist view is the Spanish were manipulative and dishonest about their intentions, lied in order to have the Aztecs provide gold and jewels, and turned many of Montezuma's caciques (chiefs below him) and even his relatives against him.
In this writing, Montezuma comes across as a fine leader, although naive in his trust of the Spanish. He understands the principle the Spanish propose - cooperate and keep your people safe - he weighs up the long term implications of his decisions, and is prepared to sacrifice various things for the benefit of his people. He voluntarily remains under the arrest of the Spanish, and allows some of his caciques to be arrested to try and suppress a violent uprising against the Spanish. He shows a willingness to engage his people to discuss his decisions and options, and to try and talk those opposing him around to his way of thinking.
It is written as an unfortunate accident - almost freak in nature - during a violent engagement between the Aztecs and their Spanish invaders. While the Aztecs are attacking Spanish, holed up in their quarters, Montezuma is lifted to a battlement to try and pacify his people below. The barrage of darts, arrows and stones continues, and Montezuma is hit. Seemingly only injured, his death is a surprise to all.
The excerpt ends pretty abruptly, not explaining how the Spanish escape, but I guess this is the hook to read the full book.
Somewhere between 4 and 5 stars - one of the more enjoyable of these Penguin 60 Classics for me.
December 15, 2023
In 1519 Hernan Cortez, representing Spain, came to Mexico and tried to convert the Aztecs to Christianity. Montezuma was the leader at that time. Cortez and his men were ultimately driven out but the Mexicans also killed Montezuma.
This short reminiscence was written by a Spanish warrior.
This short reminiscence was written by a Spanish warrior.
February 16, 2024
Fascinating, terrifying, tragic. This penguin mini taster book ends on a cliffhanger. How could the rapacious conquistadores survive the onslaught?
Makes me want to read the main book “the conquest of new Spain’ of which this is an excerpt.t sure.
“Entire cultures lost in the overthrow” Rage against the machine.
I don’t think the decadence and human sacrifice justifies what happened, but I’m not sure. Does having rulers who are not your own people make being ruled inevitably worse? Just asking
The Spaniards who crossed the Atlantic were veterans of the wars which overthrew centuries of Moorish rule - how interesting!
Makes me want to read the main book “the conquest of new Spain’ of which this is an excerpt.t sure.
“Entire cultures lost in the overthrow” Rage against the machine.
I don’t think the decadence and human sacrifice justifies what happened, but I’m not sure. Does having rulers who are not your own people make being ruled inevitably worse? Just asking
The Spaniards who crossed the Atlantic were veterans of the wars which overthrew centuries of Moorish rule - how interesting!
February 14, 2008
history can save you from the future
February 9, 2022
What a nice short story
July 29, 2022
It paints a fairly vivid picture of what happened to Montezuma, and also of what his civilization looked like to it's invaders.
December 31, 2023
Acapulco con Pili, Pepe, y nosotros 5 Jimena nos invitó
July 16, 2025
Short and sweet but effective
October 20, 2012
No sé qué esperaba yo con este libro, será que por eso no se bien como calificarlo.
El modo en el que está escrito no me gusta, pues es un castellano antiguo y usa muchas palabras redundantes, fuera de eso creo que todo lo que sucedió esta perfectamente documentado, sin olvidar, claro está, que es una versión de los que llegaron y no de los que estaban y aunque el autor a veces dice: "Cortés habló amorosamente....", yo tengo mis dudas, ya me ha tocado que en varios textos se refieran a Cortés como un hombre muy devoto y que lo único que quería era "cristianizar"... Sigo sin creérmela, supongo nuevamente que nunca sabré la verdad... Y sólo me conformare con las distintas versiones que de este hecho, la conquista, pueda encontrar para hacerme una idea más clara de lo que pasó y poder comprender muchas cosas de hoy en día... Nosotros somos los que fuimos conquistados, despojados de muestras costumbres, dioses, formas de vestir, de hablar, de ver el mundo, nos vinieron a decir como ver el mundo y ni siquiera parece que nos sentamos a analizarlo... De algún modo nos perdimos en este episodio de nuestra historia... Y no volvimos a encontrarnos.
Del libro, no me gusta la forma en que Bernal cuenta los hechos, es muy soso, aunque repito, esta muy bien documentado y descrito todo... Es un libro para poder saber todo lo que ellos vieron.
El modo en el que está escrito no me gusta, pues es un castellano antiguo y usa muchas palabras redundantes, fuera de eso creo que todo lo que sucedió esta perfectamente documentado, sin olvidar, claro está, que es una versión de los que llegaron y no de los que estaban y aunque el autor a veces dice: "Cortés habló amorosamente....", yo tengo mis dudas, ya me ha tocado que en varios textos se refieran a Cortés como un hombre muy devoto y que lo único que quería era "cristianizar"... Sigo sin creérmela, supongo nuevamente que nunca sabré la verdad... Y sólo me conformare con las distintas versiones que de este hecho, la conquista, pueda encontrar para hacerme una idea más clara de lo que pasó y poder comprender muchas cosas de hoy en día... Nosotros somos los que fuimos conquistados, despojados de muestras costumbres, dioses, formas de vestir, de hablar, de ver el mundo, nos vinieron a decir como ver el mundo y ni siquiera parece que nos sentamos a analizarlo... De algún modo nos perdimos en este episodio de nuestra historia... Y no volvimos a encontrarnos.
Del libro, no me gusta la forma en que Bernal cuenta los hechos, es muy soso, aunque repito, esta muy bien documentado y descrito todo... Es un libro para poder saber todo lo que ellos vieron.
October 9, 2013
This is misleading, just because it is an abridged version of the account given by Bernal Diaz (one of the conquistadores who took part in the events) but the details of where the abridging has been made and what information has been omitted are not given. The book omits a scene where the Spanish massacre a number of unarmed Aztecs in the main temple of the city; prompting the people to rise up against the Spanish. With the scene omitted it seems as though the Aztecs attack the Spanish for little or no reason.
June 24, 2023
10/10 An eye witness account so visceral and moving of an event so pivotal is a rare gem. Was expecting a savage brute from the last of the Aztec god kings but found instead a just and noble king more at home in the comfort of a mughal palace than in this tragic and bloody clash of two imperial war machines.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews