Moctezuma II

Full Name: Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin
Profession: Aztec Emperor

Why Famous: Ninth tlatoani or ruler of Tenochtitlan, reigning from 1502 to 1520. The first contact between indigenous civilizations of Mesoamerica and Europeans took place during his reign, and he was killed during the initial stages of the Spanish conquest of Mexico, when Conquistador Hernán Cortés and his men fought to escape from the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan.

During his reign the Aztec Empire reached its maximal size, but his portrayal in history has mostly been coloured by his role as ruler of a defeated nation, and many sources describe him as weak-willed and indecisive.

Birthplace: , Mexico

Died: June 30, 1520
Cause of Death: Killed either by the Spanish or stoned by his own people