Who was the leader of the Aztec Empire at the time of the Spanish conquest? 🔊
The leader of the Aztec Empire at the time of the Spanish conquest was Moctezuma II, who ruled from 1502 to 1520. He was the ninth emperor of the Aztec Empire and is known for his significant expansion of the empire as well as his complex interactions with the Spanish conquistadors, most notably Hernán Cortés. Moctezuma's reign coincided with the arrival of the Spanish in 1519, which ultimately led to the downfall of the Aztec civilization. His initial hospitality towards Cortés was viewed as a critical miscalculation, as the Spanish exploited this trust, culminating in the conquest of Tenochtitlán in 1521.
Equestions.com Team – Verified by subject-matter experts