Aztec Conquest

For the first time, in Fifth Sun, the history of the Aztecs is offered in all its complexity based solely on the texts written by the indigenous people themselves. Camilla Townsend presents an accessible and humanized depiction of these native Mexicans, rather than seeing them as the exotic, bloody figures of European stereotypes.

This audiobook tells the story of how Spain managed to conquer the Americas in the span of half a century, from the late 1400s to the mid-1500s. Although exploitation and warfare continued between the colonizers and the colonized after this period, the largest campaigns against the indigenous peoples were undertaken in this short time span, which is the focus of this audiobook.

For hundreds of years, the history of the conquest of Mexico and the defeat of the Aztecs has been told in the words of the Spanish victors. Miguel León-Portilla has long been at the forefront of expanding that history to include the voices of indigenous peoples. In this new and updated edition of his classic The Broken Spears, León-Portilla has included accounts from native Aztec descendants across the centuries. These texts bear witness to the extraordinary vitality of an oral tradition that preserves the viewpoints of the vanquished instead of the victors.

Written by a leading historian of Latin America, Conquistadors and Aztecs offers a timely portrayal of the fall of Tenochtitlan and the founding of an empire that would last for centuries.

In 1519, Hernando Cortés arrived in Mexico to investigate stories of a wealthy empire. What he encountered was beyond his wildest dreams; an advanced civilization with complex artistic, political, and religious systems (involving extensive human sacrifice) and replete with gold. This was the Aztec empire, headed by the aloof emperor, Montezuma.

The date is 4 Jaguar 1 Monkey 1 House November 25th 2012 by the old reckoning and the Aztec Empire rules the world. The Aztecs' reign is one of cruel and ruthless oppression, encompassing regular human sacrifice. In the jungle-infested city of London, one man defies them: the masked vigilante known as the Conquistador. Then the Conquistador is recruited to spearhead an uprising and discovers a terrible truth about the Aztecs and their gods.

The year is 1521, and Tenochtitlán burns. Wracked by plague and war, the majestic Aztec empire begins to crumble. As their beloved capital city falls to the ruthless Spaniards and hordes of vengeful tribes, the Aztecs make a last-ditch attempt to secretly save their heritage before it’s lost to the sands of time forever. Meanwhile, in the modern day, a string of high-profile robberies lays waste to archaeological sites and museums across Mesoamerica, overshadowed by a brewing nationalistic fervor which threatens to topple already fragile countries.

The Aztec Empire dominated Mesoamerica for a relatively short time — less than 100 years — but it is remembered today more than other ancient cultures in the region which sustained for much longer. Partly that is because this was a relatively recent culture which was widely reported by the first Europeans to make contact with it.

The young Aztec leader, Tenamáxtli, courageously refuses to bow to his foreign rulers, vowing revenge on the Spaniards who have conquered and destroyed his society. Driven to rebuild the Aztec Empire, Tenamáxtli secretly recruits an army to fight the seemingly invincible Spanish forces. His quest takes us through high adventure, passionate women, unlikely allies, bright hope, and bitter tragedy. Guided by exhaustive research into practically every facet of life in 16th-century Mexico, Aztec Autumn vividly recreates a forgotten chapter of history after the Spanish Conquest.

If you are curious about how the extraordinary Aztecs lived and ran their empire, then pay attention! The remarkable Aztecs formed a vast, organized empire renown for military prowess, expansive trade, intriguing culture, and ingenious agriculture - all from an island in a swamp. But where was their mysterious homeland of Aztlan? How did they ascend to dominance in the Valley of Mexico?

Join the expedition of explorer, Hernando Cortez and meet Diego Orteguilla, a 14-year old Spanish boy who signs on to sail from Cuba to the land of Mexico. Rumors abound of strange animals, exotic plants, a beautiful, whitewashed city surrounded by water, and a people who own gold - lots of gold. You will see Diego and the Spanish soldiers fight their first battle in Mexico and learn of the great Aztec empire and the king who rules this empire, Montezuma.

Tras la noticia del descubrimiento de América por Colón en 1492, decenas de aventureros emigraron a las nuevas tierras en busca de gloria y riquezas. Uno de ellos, el célebre Hernán Cortés Monroy Pizarro Altamirano, nacido en 1485 en España, sería el protagonista de una verdadera proeza al conquistar el Imperio Mexica, con no más de mil españoles a su mando, un enorme imperio de millones de súbditos.

Ha pasado un cuarto de siglo desde el desembarco de Colón en suelo americano en 1492, el Nuevo Mundo sigue siendo un misterio para los españoles y aún no hay rastros de las riquezas que se suponía que encontrarían. Pero esto está a punto de cambiar. El capitán Hernán Cortés a escuchado rumores de la existencia de un imperio un poco más al sur, la provincia de Yucatán, y, lo más interesante, que hay oro.

The Aztec Empire did not recoil from the face of an impending doom, it struggled faithfully. Destined to emerge from humble beginnings, it grew into a highly complex devoted civilization refusing to live at the mercy of more neighboring powerful rulers. Its powerful pochteca combed the valley for luxury items while markets dotted their lands. Investigate the era of the Fifth Sun and what defined the Aztecs and their relationship with the divine.