A detailed and elaborate picture of the urban core known as Tenochtitlán may be found in the report written by Cortés and translated by MacNutt. According to Cortés, the urban center achieved remarkable accomplishments in engineering and architectural prowess, boasting awe-inspiring structures and a complex network of rivers. The author describes the urban center as being situated near a body of water. This urban center is distinguished from the surrounding landmass by the existence of elevated highways that connect it to the rest of the land (Letters of Cortés 1908).
Cortés also notes that the urban center had a very high population density, as evidenced by the numerous public plazas and marketplaces present. In addition, the author describes the people who lived in Tenochtitlan as being skilled in a variety of artisanal practices, such as, but not limited to, the art of weaving and the craft of metalworking. Overall, the story provided by Cortés offers a fascinating glimpse into the urban core of Tenochtitlán, as well as the city’s cultural characteristics.
Cortés justified his actions in the city of Tenochtitlan during its conquest because he was acting on behalf of the Spanish crown, and his steps were necessary to bring the inhabitants of the region under Spanish authority. At that time, the Spanish broke through the last defenses of the capital and took the warriors prisoner (Burkholder and Johnson 2001). He claims that his actions were necessary to subjugate the people of the region to Spanish authority.
In addition, he believed that it was his responsibility to spread Christianity and bring the inhabitants of Tenochtitlan to the one true faith. Cortés believed that the people of Tenochtitlán needed redemption, so he utilized the idols and temples dedicated to pagan gods in the city to justify his actions. However, it is essential to point out that Cortés’s narrative of the conquest has been challenged for being biased and for downplaying the level of bloodshed and cruelty involved in the Spanish invasion.
References
Burkholder, Mark A, and Lyman L Johnson. 2001. Colonial Latin America. 1st ed. Oxford University Press, USA.
Letters of Cortés, translated by Francis A. MacNutt. 1908.New York: Putnam G. P.