Victors and Vanquished: Spanish and Nahua Views of the Conquest of Mexico (Bedford Cultural Editions Series)

How did a small band of Spanish conquistadors overthrow a mighty Aztec empire in 16th century Mexico? Using excerpts primarily drawn from Bernal Diaz's 1632 account of the Spanish victory and testimonies - many recently uncovered - of indigenous Nahua survivors gathered by Bernardino de Sahagun, Victors and Vanquished demonstrates how personal interests, class and ethnic biases, and political considerations can influence interpretation of events. A substantial introduction is followed by nine chronological sections that illuminate the major events and personalities in this historical episode, and reveal the changing attitudes toward European expansionism.