Cuauhtémoc

or Guatimozin

born с 1495

died Feb. 26, 1522

Last Aztec emperor, nephew and son-in-law of Montezuma II.

He became emperor on the death of Montezuma's successor in 1520, while Hernán Cortés was marching for the second time on Tenochtitlán, the Aztec capital. He defended the city during a four-month siege that left most buildings destroyed and few Indians surviving. Tortured by the Spaniards in an effort to make him reveal the location of hidden Aztec wealth, his stoicism became legendary. Later Cortés, hearing of a plot against the Spaniards, had Cuauhtémoc hanged.

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▪ Aztec emperor

also called  Guatimozin 

born c. 1495

died February 26, 1522

      11th and last Aztec emperor, nephew and son-in-law of Montezuma II.

      Cuauhtémoc became emperor in 1520 on the death of Montezuma's successor, Cuitláhuac. Hernán Cortés (Cortés, Hernán, marqués del Valle de Oaxaca), with powerful Indian allies, was then marching on Tenochtitlán, the Aztec capital. Cuauhtémoc's frontier forces were forced to retreat in 1521, and he defended his capital in a four-month siege that left most of the city destroyed and few Indians surviving. Captured by the Spanish, he was at first treated with deference. Later, Cuauhtémoc was tortured to reveal the location of hidden Aztec wealth. His stoicism and refusal to speak became legendary. Fearing trouble if he left Cuauhtémoc behind, Cortés took the emperor with him to Honduras. En route, hearing of a plot against the Spaniards, he ordered Cuauhtémoc hanged.

      In 1949 bones purported to be Cuauhtémoc's were discovered at Ixcateopan, Mex.

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