Moctezuma II, often called Montezuma in European sources, was the ninth emperor of the Aztec Empire, also known as the Mexica Empire, reigning from 1502 or 1503 to 1520. His name, Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin, translates to 'Angry Like A Lord'. He was the son of emperor Axayacatl and was a skilled warrior before becoming the leader of the Aztec society. During his reign, the Aztec Empire reached its greatest territorial extent, expanding as far south as Chiapas and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, incorporating the Zapotec and Yopi people. He also strengthened the empire's political structure and initiated major building projects in the capital, Tenochtitlán.
Moctezuma II is most known for his encounter with Hernán Cortés and the Spanish conquistadors, marking the first contact between Mesoamerican civilizations and Europeans. Initially, Moctezuma welcomed Cortés, possibly believing him to be a god from prophecy, but this ultimately led to the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire. Accounts of his death in 1520 vary, with some sources claiming he was killed by his own people, who were angry at his failure to stop the Spanish invasion, while others attribute his death to the Spanish. Despite his death, Moctezuma II remains a symbol of resistance against Spanish colonization, and his name has been invoked in rebellions centuries later.
Though the Aztec empire fell, Moctezuma's lineage continues to this day. He had many wives and children, and descendants live in both Mexico and Spain. In Spain, some descendants were granted noble titles, such as the Duke of Moctezuma de Tultengo, which still exists. Some of Moctezuma's descendants have been involved in Mexican politics. In 2019, a descendant of Moctezuma met with a descendant of Cortés to receive a personal apology.