Learn about the legend that marked the history of Mexico and one of the greatest mysteries in Latin America.
The latin american culture It has a wide variety of legends and myths. But one of the most popular is the Montezuma’s Treasurea great treasure lost since the Spanish invasions in Mexico and one of the mysteries that has most captivated historians and explorers.
Montezuma II He was the ninth tlatoani or ruler of Tenochtitlán. He ruled the Aztec Empire from the early 1500s until 1520, when he was mortally wounded and the Spanish, in charge of Hernan Cortesthey invaded their territory.
montezuma gold
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Origin of Montezuma’s gold
When the Aztecs ruled the center of the country, They managed to accumulate great wealthgold, silver, jade, exotic bird feathers and other valuable materials from the peoples they conquered. These belonged to Montezuma, who also inherited the Aztec Empire. The exact value is unknown but the Spanish chronicles say that there were, in addition to what has already been mentioned, jewelry, masks, sculptures, ornaments and other ritual objects of great artistic and cultural value.
When the Spanish arrived in Mexico in 1519, Moctezuma tried to prevent them from reaching Tenochtitlanthe Aztec city where the treasure resided. However, by sending them precious stones as a distraction, the curiosity of General Cortés and his troops grew more and more. When they arrived, the tlatoani gave them lodging in his father’s palace, Axayacatlwho as soon as they arrived they searched it to find the treasure. In the end they had found one, but it was that of Moctezuma’s father.
What happened to Montezuma’s gold?
In addition to taking the treasure of Axayácatl, the Spanish They looted the wealth accumulated by Moctezuma and other assets. Furthermore, Cortés imprisoned the tlatoani and then went to face another Spanish combatant. When he returned to Tenochtitlán, he found a Aztec rebellion originated for a massacre by the Spanish, what was called the Toxcatl massacre.
Cortés asked Moctezuma to intercede, but it is said that The population threw stones at him and killed him.. That day too 600 Spanish soldiers died and they lost the treasure accumulated. The confrontation that ended with the defeat of the Spanish army is known as the Sad Nightwhich occurred between June 30 and July 1, 1520.
There are several theories about what happened to the gold. The best known says that when Cuauhtemoc took power, he decided to get rid of the riches before the city fell completely. Although Cortés tortured him, he never revealed the exact location, he only declared having thrown it into the lagoon. The treasure was never heard of again, until 1981 A man found a bar of gold buried 5 meters underground, which is theorized to have belonged to Montezuma’s treasure.
Source: Ambito
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