Miguel León-Portilla (1926-2019) was a Mexican anthropologist and historian. A prolific researcher and author, he published over 150 academic articles and more than 40 books. He was known primarily for his work on pre-Columbian Mexican history and was the preeminent scholar on the language and culture of the Nahua (also known as the Aztecs). 

Sometimes referred to by the Spanish form of his name (“Montezuma”), Motecuhzoma II (c. 1466-1520) was the tlatoani (king) of the Aztecs from 1502 through 1520. His reign coincided with the arrival of the Spaniards to the New World in 1519. Because Motecuhzoma was convinced that the conquistadors were Aztec deities, he shied from taking aggressive action against them until it was too late. Motecuhzoma was killed after the Spanish imprisoned him in his palace in Tenochtitlan—it is unclear if he died at their hands or those of his own people. 

One of the first Spanish conquistadors, Hernán Cortés (1485-1547) gained wealth and fame by bringing about the downfall of the Aztec empire and the city of Tenochtitlan in the early 16th century. The Nahua narratives of Broken Spears characterize Cortés as a cruel and greedy man, while his indigenous allies emphasize his benevolence and capabilities as a leader.