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Rh Intensely superstitious, he was yet enough of a soldier to suppress nascent rebellions in the Mixtec and Zapotec countries, and energetically attack the Tlascalans, who, however, eventually beat him off after a strenuous invasion of their territory. He cultivated a truly Oriental magnificence in the city of Mexico, and employed the inexhaustible tributes which flowed into his coffers to render the capital city worthy of its position of eminence.

But the end of this teeming and picturesque civilisation was at hand. Cortés sailed from Santiago, in Cuba, on a November morning in 1518, when Motecuhzoma's reign was some sixteen years old. The Spanish leader had a following of about six hundred men, thirteen of whom were armed with fire-locks and sixteen of whom were mounted. On arriving at the mainland, he was met by the emissaries of the Aztec monarch, who received him courteously but coldly, and tendered him presents of gold and gems, which merely excited his cupidity. To the chagrin of Cortés, the Aztec emperor refused an interview. Destroying his ships, the intrepid Spaniard left a small detachment at Vera Cruz, and set forth with 450 men and numerous Indian "friendlies" for Mexico. He desired passage through the country of the Tlascalans; but its inhabitants, fearful of his approach, instigated the Otomi tribes on their frontier to attack him: 30,000 of them gave him battle. He succeeded in routing them, but 50,000 Tlascalans advanced to attack him in a temple-pyramid where he had fortified himself. Charging down upon the enemy, he found himself in a most precarious position until, the Otomi deserting the Tlascalans, the latter were forced to retire. Overtures of peace were sent to the Tlascalans, and these were accepted. The alliance between his enemies greatly alarmed Motecuhzoma, who attempted to placate the Spaniards with a tribute of gold and gems, but to no purpose. Cortés entered Tlascala in triumph; and Motecuhzoma, now in real consternation, at last sent him