[caption id="attachment_2502" align="aligncenter" width="257"]<a href="http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/hernan.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-2502" src="http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/hernan.jpg" alt="" width="257" height="300" /></a> Hernan Cortes and Montezuma II[/caption]

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/media/92413/Hernan-Cortes-with-Montezuma-II

Since the beginning of time, art has reflected beliefs, culture, lifestyles, and fashion of its period. I never cared much for history but doing this project has created a whole new meaning of art for me. In studying history, I can learn more about today and what tomorrow might bring. I chose to study the <em>Letters from Mexico</em> (1519-1524) by Hernan Cortes. His letters account for his conquest to Mexico and the conquering of the Aztec Empire. After disobeying orders, Cortes sets out to explore modern day Mexico and kind of accidentally stumbles upon this beautiful, advanced, flourishing empire. With help from local allies, Cortes defeats the Aztecs and puts Spain in control of the vast land from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. He writes the letters to King Charles V of Spain telling him his story.<em> Letters from Mexico</em> by Hernan Cortes should be preserved because of the historical context, cultural context of the Aztec Empire, and because it is one of the only accounts that we have of what happened in that time. It marks a very important time in history of the colonization of the west, the personality of a conquistador, details of the mysterious Aztec Empire, reflects Christian attitudes and beliefs of that time, and lifestyle and rule in Spain.<!--more-->

<em>Letters from Mexico</em> was not a typical piece from its era. Exploration was just beginning in the west. While Spain was conquering new lands, the Renaissance was at its peak in Italy. Classical Humanists embraced Greco-Roman classics and were devoted to studying and imitating them. This new culture was more secular than religious. “They regarded Classical authority not exclusively as a means of clarifying Christian truths, but as the basis for a new appraisal of the role of the individual in the world order,” says Fiero. Leonardo Da Vinci, one of the great artists of the High Renaissance, completed famous works such as <em>The Last Supper</em>. This world-famous painting was one of a kind and changed art techniques for centuries to come. Da Vinci applied classical art principles to the representation of Christian subjects. Renaissance artist began studying the mechanics of the human body, balance, using three dimensions rather than two, perfecting oil painting, making art in monumental size, heroic characteristics, and scientific laws of perspective. A lot of art at this time was similar to Da Vinci’s<em> The Last Suppe</em>r. Artists used Christian subjects and displayed religious scenes but used human figures to represent famous names. Not only paintings but large sculptures were popular artist trends.<em> Letters from Mexico</em> is very innovative and unusual for its time. When the letters were published in Spain, people were very interested and excited about them. Exploration in the west was just beginning and civilization was progressing. The letters were different from normal visual works of art because they were literary. Hernan Cortes told wild stories about the Aztec Empire and his time in the new world full of lavish gold; a completely different style of living than that of modern day Spain. I think it caught people’s attention and introduced them to new cultures other than the famous Greek or Roman.
One piece that is similar to <em>Letters from Mexico</em> is <em>The Prince.</em> Machiavelli, a famous philosopher, became known as Europe’s first political scientist. His popular little book, <em>The Prince</em>, called for the unification of Italy under a powerful and courageous leader. The leader he described must be ruthless and sacrifice moral virtue in the interest of the state. Machiavelli’s has a negative view of humanity pinning them as thankless, fickle, greedy, and dishonest. A lot of what Machiavelli described sounds exactly like the personality of Hernan Cortes. Machiavelli’s Prince is a lot smarter than Cortes and keeps power as well as a good reputation. I think these two pieces relate to each other because of the parts the main characters play. Hernan Cortes is a very greedy and egotistical explorer who actually disobeys rules from Spain on continuing with an expedition. He defends himself from a powerful empire battling his way to victory. In <em>The Prince</em>, “armed force as the ultimate sanction of political power, the ruthless suppression of dangerous enemies and the establishment of authority through fear rather than love, the use of deceit, careful economy rather than lavish expenditure- all these Machiavelli cites as necessary to the founder of a new state.” Both of these pieces are very political rather than secular or religious like other major artworks of their time. I think both of them went against the typical Monarchist policies of government at that time making them uncommon and alike.
Cortes’ letters were published to the public so everyone could read the first-hand account of the conquering of grand Aztec Empire. According to Pahl, the letters were action packed and real page turners. The public was so eager to know what was going on worlds away. Cortes “went on to great wealth and power.” (Mee.) Cortes appointed himself governor without permission from King Charles V. Cortes was careless, greedy, and irresponsible in his decisions. After being appointed governor Cortes left to explore what is now modern day Honduras. King Charles grew suspicious of Cortes and sent a bureaucrat named Luis Ponce de Leon to investigate. Luis died immediately and Cortes was charged with murder, rumor is he was poisoned. Cortes’ fifth letter was banned in Spain and his reputation was declining rapidly. People didn’t like Cortes’ decisions and he was being punished for it. Someone can’t rebel against the King and the public be aware it. I think that is why the letters were banned and Cortes was dealt with in a private manner. Cortes lived the rest of his life on his land in Mexico with his wife. He had no leadership in the new world and Spain continued to govern it.
There are a lot of mixed emotions about the <em>Letters from Mexico</em>. Their authenticity and credibility is doubted by many scholars. Pahl suggests Cortes is cocky and over exaggerates a lot of his takeover and what actually occurred. Yes, he conquered a gigantic empire but it is said he was ruthless, destructive, and it was similar to a massacre. Cortes went around “destroying traditional Mexican religious artifacts as it definitely impeded their attempts at a peaceful conversion.” (Pahl.) Anthony Pagden discusses how Cortes seeks to reinforce his authority and his reputation in his letters. Some scholars don’t even look at his letters of literary importance but just historical. Cortes didn’t have a very good reputation back then and he doesn’t at this time either. I personally feel Cortes ruined an empire that Spain could have learned a lot from. He was the leader and held all power and authority. I think his personal decisions and desires made a mess of the whole situation. He destroyed the Aztecs entire city because of their religious beliefs, who knows what he did with a lot of the gold, I know some of it went back to Spain when he was tried for murder, and he wasn’t a good leader and didn’t secure some type of government when the empire was defeated. Thousands of natives died and it was the end to an advanced and flourishing culture that could have helped progression in that era. I think Cortes greedily set out behind the kings back and stumbled upon an empire that was unstable and destroyed it. He manipulated Indians and locals into supporting him and then savagely killed thousands. Who knows what really happened? This is the account of a conceded and egotistical conquistador.
<em>Letters from Mexico</em> holds great historical importance making it unique and very innovative. There was a lot of Spanish and Portuguese exploration going on in the new world so empires could expand. What makes it so unique is his conquering of the Aztec empire giving Spain control of modern day Mexico. This was a huge accomplishment for Spain in the settling and colonizing of the Americas. It also made way for the present day. Colonization in the west created the nation we have today. Although I may disagree with Hernan Cortes’ decisions and opinions, he did make history and history made today. His letters hold a lot of historical importance in learning about different cultures of the world. What is most significant about this work is the historical context and cultural context. His account and a few others in his army are the only knowledge that we have of what happened at that time. It is very important these letters are preserved so we know about a beautiful culture that was lost in the process of one being made.