... - how is this possible? Montezuma was informed that the people living in the coast saw floating mountains across the water. He had warnings of the arrival of the fair-skinned bearded strangers. A fair-skinned stranger landed on the east coast. The Aztecs welcomed him as Quetzalcoatl. He was the Spanish conquistador Cortes. When the Spanish explorer Hernan Cortes landed on the coast of Mexico in 1519, the Aztec Emperor thought he was a returning god. Montezuma believed the Spanish explorer to be Quetzalcoatl, who, at his death, said he would return one day to govern the land. Montezuma sent the approaching Spaniards rich gifts of gold and silver, showed no resistance and wanted that they will turn back. Cortes and his companions enjoyed the hospitality of the emperor and were even more motivated by the presents. In November 1519 the capture of the emperor was carried out. Cortes attempted to govern ...

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