Aztecs and Conquistadores: The Spanish Invasion and the Collapse of the Aztec Empire

The Spanish conquest of Mexico was a remarkable military expedition that had a huge impact on the history of the world. Hernán Cortés led the expedition, the aim of which was the addition of Mexico to the Spanish Empire, and the extraction of Aztec riches. Following the appearance of portents, the Aztecs were expecting a catastrophe in 1519, and the Spanish invasion fulfilled this expectation. Although they fought fiercely to the end, the Aztec civilisation was doomed, and the face of Mexico would be changed for ever. This book examines the campaign, but also the lives, training and experience of the men on both sides: the Spanish conquerors and their opponents, the exotic Aztecs, who were fighting for their lives and their civilisation. Contains material peviously published in Essential Histories 60, Warrior 32 and Warrior 40.

Dr. John Pohl has conducted numerous archaeological excavations and surveys in Mexico and Central America as well as the Catalan region of southern France. Dr. Pohl is noted for bringing the ancient past to life using a wide variety of innovative skills and techniques ranging from museum exhibitions for Princeton University, the Getty, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art to film productions for the History Channel, the Discovery Channel, the BBC and Dreamworks. In addition to his work in education through public media, he currently serves as Adjunct Full Professor in the Department of Art History at UCLA.