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Osprey Campaign #321
Tenochtitlan 1519–21: Clash of Civilizations
In 1519, the Conquistador Hernán Cortés landed on the mainland of the Americas. His quest to serve God, win gold, and achieve glory drove him into the heartland of what is now Mexico, where no European had ever set foot before. He marched towards to the majestic city of Tenochtitlan, floating like a jewel in the midst of Lake Texcoco.
This encounter brought together cultures that had hitherto evolved in complete isolation from each other--Catholic Spain and the Aztec Empire. What ensued was the swift escalation from a clash of civilizations to a war of the worlds. At the conclusion of the Conquistador campaign of 1519–21, Tenochtitlan lay in ruins, the last Aztec Emperor was in chains, and Spanish authority over the native peoples had been definitively asserted.
With colorful personalities--Cortés, Malinche, Pedro Alvarez, Cuitláhuac, Cuauhtémoc--driving the narrative, and the vivid differences in uniforms, weapons, and fighting styles between the rival armies (displayed using stunning specially commissioned artwork), this is the fascinating story of the collapse of the Aztec Empire.
This encounter brought together cultures that had hitherto evolved in complete isolation from each other--Catholic Spain and the Aztec Empire. What ensued was the swift escalation from a clash of civilizations to a war of the worlds. At the conclusion of the Conquistador campaign of 1519–21, Tenochtitlan lay in ruins, the last Aztec Emperor was in chains, and Spanish authority over the native peoples had been definitively asserted.
With colorful personalities--Cortés, Malinche, Pedro Alvarez, Cuitláhuac, Cuauhtémoc--driving the narrative, and the vivid differences in uniforms, weapons, and fighting styles between the rival armies (displayed using stunning specially commissioned artwork), this is the fascinating story of the collapse of the Aztec Empire.
96 pages, Paperback
Published May 22, 2018
6 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Si Sheppard
25 books6 followersSi Sheppard is an associate professor of political science and international relations at Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 20, 2019
Clash of Civilizations is exactly what happened back in 1519 when the Spanish Conquistadors butted heads with the Aztecs of Tenochtitlan, who were known as the Mexica. These newcomers were welcomed at first by the rulers of the Mexica, because they did not know what to make of them. Not only did they arrive with beasts large and small (war horses and mastiff hounds) but they had weapons and armor that could only have been crafted by gods.
The Mexica tried to impress the Spanish with the wonders of their empire. What the Spanish saw was plenty of gold, silver and precious stones there for the taking. Once the Mexica saw them for what they were, the fighting went on for two years with the fortunes of war seesawing back and forth between the antagonists. Both sides made blunders which their opponents were quick to capitalize on. In the end it was the Spanish who prevailed.
In my opinion the author gives too much of the credit for the Spanish victory to the Small Pox that ran rampant through the Mexica nation while downplaying the role of Cortes and his soldiers. For this reason I was only going to give it a 4 star rating. While it is true that the amount of armored Conquistadores were never over a thousand and often less than a hundred in the field, they still beat thousands upon thousands of those they were trying to conquer.
Now if the author wants to give credit where credit is due, then he should lay it with the indigenous populations that had a deep seated hatred for the Mexica and flocked to join Cortes in what they thought was a war of liberation from the Mexica yoke. Besides supplying Cortes with human porters to carry their supplies, in a land without beast of burden or the wheel, they supplied legions of warriors to offset the overwhelming numbers of Mexica that could have swamped the Spaniards. For instance, in one part of the text the author mentions the three divisions investing the Mexica capital by land. "Cortes sent Alvarado to Tacuba with 30 horsemen, 150 Spanish infantrymen, 18 crossbowmen and harquebusiers, and 50,000 indigenous warriors from …" And that was just one column.
Plenty of relevant illustrations are provided. There is a picture of a replica macuahuitl, the Aztec sword which was made of wood embedded with serrated obsidian that had been flaked to razor sharpness. These could be deadly but useless against steel armor. By comparison the quick thrust of Toledo steel blades ran through many a Mexica warrior who was more interested in capturing an enemy for sacrifice than killing him. Many of the period Spanish weapons and armor were photographed in museums.
This is the reason for my 5 star rating. On closing the author made drew a interesting comparison by way of to aliens coming to earth. Would we unite against the invaders, or turn on each other? When the Mexica capital fell there may have been as many as 200,000 Mexica men, women, and children butchered by their ancient enemies in a blood frenzy which the Spanish were unable to stay. If the North Koreans invaded the US today would the Trump haters turn on their own people in a similar manner?
The Mexica tried to impress the Spanish with the wonders of their empire. What the Spanish saw was plenty of gold, silver and precious stones there for the taking. Once the Mexica saw them for what they were, the fighting went on for two years with the fortunes of war seesawing back and forth between the antagonists. Both sides made blunders which their opponents were quick to capitalize on. In the end it was the Spanish who prevailed.
In my opinion the author gives too much of the credit for the Spanish victory to the Small Pox that ran rampant through the Mexica nation while downplaying the role of Cortes and his soldiers. For this reason I was only going to give it a 4 star rating. While it is true that the amount of armored Conquistadores were never over a thousand and often less than a hundred in the field, they still beat thousands upon thousands of those they were trying to conquer.
Now if the author wants to give credit where credit is due, then he should lay it with the indigenous populations that had a deep seated hatred for the Mexica and flocked to join Cortes in what they thought was a war of liberation from the Mexica yoke. Besides supplying Cortes with human porters to carry their supplies, in a land without beast of burden or the wheel, they supplied legions of warriors to offset the overwhelming numbers of Mexica that could have swamped the Spaniards. For instance, in one part of the text the author mentions the three divisions investing the Mexica capital by land. "Cortes sent Alvarado to Tacuba with 30 horsemen, 150 Spanish infantrymen, 18 crossbowmen and harquebusiers, and 50,000 indigenous warriors from …" And that was just one column.
Plenty of relevant illustrations are provided. There is a picture of a replica macuahuitl, the Aztec sword which was made of wood embedded with serrated obsidian that had been flaked to razor sharpness. These could be deadly but useless against steel armor. By comparison the quick thrust of Toledo steel blades ran through many a Mexica warrior who was more interested in capturing an enemy for sacrifice than killing him. Many of the period Spanish weapons and armor were photographed in museums.
This is the reason for my 5 star rating. On closing the author made drew a interesting comparison by way of to aliens coming to earth. Would we unite against the invaders, or turn on each other? When the Mexica capital fell there may have been as many as 200,000 Mexica men, women, and children butchered by their ancient enemies in a blood frenzy which the Spanish were unable to stay. If the North Koreans invaded the US today would the Trump haters turn on their own people in a similar manner?
March 5, 2019
Once learned from a CD-Rom in 1996 about the Age of Discovery, it cannot be unfascinated.
Least of all in the glorious colours of Osprey artwork.
The accumulation of the conquest of the Aztec Empire reads like a precolombian Berlin, from the backs-to-the-wall protraction of the siege to the tens of thousands vengeful subjugated natives who allied themselves with Cortez' minuscule force.
Its scope is dramatic enough to do justice to the Other Half : the Indian lament of "we could've kept our shores Eurorein by sheer numbers, if only we weren't beaten at the game of Divide and Rule".
Least of all in the glorious colours of Osprey artwork.
The accumulation of the conquest of the Aztec Empire reads like a precolombian Berlin, from the backs-to-the-wall protraction of the siege to the tens of thousands vengeful subjugated natives who allied themselves with Cortez' minuscule force.
Its scope is dramatic enough to do justice to the Other Half : the Indian lament of "we could've kept our shores Eurorein by sheer numbers, if only we weren't beaten at the game of Divide and Rule".
June 12, 2019
One of the best 'books' fron this series. Still I recommend reading a book about this important and unique chapter of human history.
One very good book is:
by Buddy Levy - Conquistador: Hernán Cortés, King Montezuma, and the Last Stand of the Aztecs.
One very good book is:
by Buddy Levy - Conquistador: Hernán Cortés, King Montezuma, and the Last Stand of the Aztecs.
July 17, 2018
Excellent summary of the conquest of Mexico
Gracefully written and with a dramatic touch, it delivers a story of a true clash of civilizations. Good illustrations and appropriate diagrams and maps.
Gracefully written and with a dramatic touch, it delivers a story of a true clash of civilizations. Good illustrations and appropriate diagrams and maps.
September 28, 2018
I was looking for a nice narrative of the battle for so long! This book is just awesome.
September 2, 2022
A great overview of the 2-3 year war between the Conquistadors and the Mexica. The book does a great job on the battle, but also on the forces and personalities at play within the conflict. It does place a bit of a "great man" view on Cortez, but I do not know enough other sources to corroborate or challenge that assertion. It also takes a predominately Spain view on events, which makes since due to the result. Great read and great ideas for wargaming scenarios. (Which is what I wanted)
October 2, 2021
This book tells you everything you need to know about what happened during the siege of Tenochtitlan.
Beautiful images, pictures and maps explain exactly what happened from the point of view from the conquistadores as well from the Mexica themselves.
Must read for anyone interested in the history of the Mexica empire!
Beautiful images, pictures and maps explain exactly what happened from the point of view from the conquistadores as well from the Mexica themselves.
Must read for anyone interested in the history of the Mexica empire!
September 10, 2024
A thorough and beautifully illustrated recounting of the campaign.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews