ABSTRACT
Prior to the arrival of the Spanish conquistadores Mexico comprised a number of autonomous and semiautonomous states which shared what might be broadly seen as a common culture. The Spanish forces in the city were quite appreciable, but their commander, Pedro de Alvarado, uncertain as to what to do, anxiously wait for Hernando Cortes's return in case the situation should turn nasty. The extent of Cortes's miscalculation was evident almost Montezuma appeared flanked by Spanish officers. Montezuma held supreme political, military and religious authority as High Priest. He was of royal descent, but succession was not purely hereditary, there had to be a formal election before any man became emperor. More emissaries arrived from the emperor inviting Cortes to come to the capital - an apparent climb-down from Montezuma's original position. Cortes moved further along the coast and was met by more emissaries who had been dispatched by Montezuma to meet the 'divine' visitors.
