[12]“Tenochtitlan” (nopal or cactus on a stone) was the original name of the city, afterward changed to “Mexico” in honor of the war god Mexitli.
[13]Montezuma, in Aztec Matenczoma, was born in 1479. He was the son of Axayacatl and succeeded his uncle in 1503. Some of his descendants are said to be living in Mexico now, and his name is still held in great respect among the Indians.
[14]Quetzalcoatl in the Mexican religion represents the god of the air, and in legend a ruler and civilizer. He is described as a white man with long black hair and beard, who came from Yucatan and preached austerity and virtue as well as hatred of war. His name means “the feathered serpent.”
[15]Other authorities assign December 2, 1554, as the date of his death.
[16]Soon afterward he fell into neglect and could scarcely obtain an audience. One day, however, having forced his way through the crowd which surrounded the Emperor’s carriage and mounted on the doorstep, Charles, astonished at an act of such audacity, demanded to know who he was. “I am a man,” replied the conqueror of Mexico proudly, “who has given you more provinces than your ancestors left you cities.”
Appendix
The following is a chronological statement of important events in Cortes’ career:
| 1485 | Birth of Cortes. |
| 1504 | Voyage to San Domingo. |
| 1511 | Accompanies Velasquez to Cuba. |
| 1518 | Expedition to Mexico. |
| 1519 | Founding of Vera Cruz. |
| 1519 | Defeat of the Tlaxcalans. |
| 1519 | Cholulan massacre. |
| 1519 | Interview with Montezuma. |
| 1520 | Montezuma made prisoner. |
| 1520 | Mexican revolt and Montezuma’s death. |
| 1520 | Battle of Otumba. |
| 1520 | Retreat from City of Mexico. |
| 1521 | City of Mexico retaken. |
| 1521 | Emperor Guatemozin hanged. |
| 1522 | Cortes confirmed as Governor of New Spain. |
| 1523 | Confirmation revoked and viceroy appointed. |
| 1536 | Cortes discovers peninsula of Lower California. |
| 1547 | Death of Cortes. |
LIFE STORIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Translated from the German by
GEORGE P. UPTON