Cuauhtémoc Biography

Cuauhtemoc was the last emperor Aztec Emperor who ruled from 1520 to 1521. Born to Ahuitzotl and Tlilancapatl, he was the cousin of late Emperor Moctezuma II. Since an early age, Cuauhtemoc’s aggressiveness and determination was famous, his name itself means ‘a person who has descended like an eagle’. Just like a descending eagle that is focussed and sharp, Cuauhtemoc too was strong-minded and unwavering. He succeeded Cuitláhuac in 1520 after the latter died an untimely death due to small pox. At the time when Cuauhtemoc ascended the throne, he was merely 25 years old. There were only a few Aztec captains who were eligible for the post. Cuauhtemoc was voted as the most able candidate by the high noblemen, which eventually led to his appointment. During his tenure as the Emperor, Cuauhtémoc defended the city through a four-month siege. He was later captured by the Spanish, who in turn tortured Cuauhtemoc to reveal the location of Aztec gold. However, Cuauhtemoc’s resoluteness was legendary as despite immense torture, he stuck to his silence and till the end did not reveal the location of traditional Aztec wealth. Fearing an insurrection by Cuauhtemoc in future, the Spanish conquistador, Hernan Cortes, killed him