The Last Aztec
Cholollan
South of Tlaxcala lay the city of Cholollan (now Cholula), an Aztec stronghold. Expecting another battle, the Spanish once again found themselves invited in by the city leaders. This time, it was a trap.
Betrayal
Moctezuma had ordered the Cholollans to dig ditches lined with stakes, and to prepare weapons to turn on the Spanish. Meanwhile, Aztec warriors massed in ravines to the north of the city, ready to attack.
But an informer betrayed the plan to the Spanish, and Cortés struck first. Summoning the warriors and leaders of Cholollan into the central square, he ordered his men to massacre them. Some 6,000 were killed.
‘However it may be and whenever it may be, we can do nothing but wait.’
Gifts of gold
Cortés now swept on unchecked, and a few days later entered what the Aztecs knew as the Eagle Pass – a passage between two volcanoes, leading to the Valley of Mexico. The Spanish could now see the great mountain-ringed lake and the city of Tenochtitlan rising from an island in the middle.
Once more, Moctezuma sent envoys with gifts of gold. Whether the invaders were men or gods, he now realised that he could not turn them back: ‘However it may be and whenever it may be, we can do nothing but wait.’
Later, the Aztecs were to realise the mistake they had made in giving yet more gold to the Spaniards.
When they were given these presents the Spanish burst into smiles. They picked up the gold and fingered it like monkeys. The truth is they longed and lusted for gold. Their bodies swelled with greed.
Aztec account
