Part 6/8:

As trust unraveled, the conquerors recognized that merely relying on the emperor's hospitality would not suffice. The decision was made to take Montezuma hostage, a move that would redefine their relationship not just with him but with the entire empire.

The Hostage Situation Unfolds

The bold act of seizing Montezuma was both risky and pivotal. Cortés confronts Montezuma with a fabricated narrative, accusing him of plotting against the Spaniards. The shock on Montezuma's face echoed the power reversal—the once-mighty sovereign reduced to a prisoner in front of his own people. Díaz's accounts depict the surreal nature of Montezuma’s capture, with his attendants rendered powerless.