The Betrayal of Montezuma

This is a selection of excerpts taken from [b:The Conquest of New Spain 108490 The Conquest of New Spain Bernal Díaz del Castillo https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1375744442s/108490.jpg 3784], 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.