Definition of "Moctezuma"
Moctezuma
proper noun
Aztec emperor from 1502 to 1520, during which time the Spanish conquest of Mexico began.
Quotations
Departing from Cholula they came to Mexico, the King whereof Montenchuma sent the Peers and Nobles of this Realm with innumerable presents to meet them, who all the way testified by several sports and solemnities, the joy which they had for their arrivall; When they approached neer the wal of the City, the Kings Brother came forth with many Noble men to meet him, who brought many gifts of Gold and Silver, to present them with.
1655, J. Phillips, transl., The Tears of the Indians
Tendilli sent immediate intelligence to Muteçuma, that there had arrived in his country a bearded people, for so they called the Castilians. On the reception of this news, Moteçuma was greatly troubled, for his gods, or devils rather, had revealed that a people of the description of these Spaniards was to overthrow his law and dominion, and to become lords of the country; wherefore Muteçuma sent gifts to the value of twenty thousand ducats to Cortes, but refused any interview.
1811, Robert Kerr, A General History of Voyages and Travels to the End of the 18th Century
The antithesis is embodied in the personalities of Cortés and Motecuzoma: Cortés machiavellian, resourceful, manipulative and intrepid; Motecuzoma fearful of his gods, crippled by superstition and unable to make up his mind whether to welcome the strangers or push them back into the sea.
2003, Francis Brooks, “The Impact of Disease”, in Technology, Disease, and Colonial Conquests, Sixteenth to Eighteenth Centuries