The Conquest of Mexico/Volume 1/Table of contents

by William Hickling Prescott

• List of Illustrations
• Introduction
• Table of contents
• Note
• Preface
• Notes To Volume 1

Layout 4

 

CONTENTS
BOOK I
INTRODUCTION-VIEW OF THE AZTEC CIVILISATION
chap			page
I.		Ancient Mexico — Climate and Products — Primitive Races — Aztec Empire		9
II.		Succession to the Crown — Aztec Nobility — Judicial System — Laws and Revenues — Military Institutions		20
III.		Mexican Mythology — The Sacerdotal Order — The Temples — Human Sacrifices		36
IV.		Mexican Hieroglyphics — Manuscripts — Arithmetic — Chronology — Astronomy		55
V.		Aztec Agriculture — Mechanical Arts — Merchants — Domestic Manners		75
VI.		Tezcucans — Their Golden Age — Accomplished Princes-Decline of their Monarchy		90
BOOK II
DISCOVERY OF MEXICO
I.		Spain under Charles V. — Progress of Discovery — Colonial Policy — Conquest of Cuba — Expeditions to Yucatan		119
II.		Hernando Cortés — His Early Life — Visits the New World — His Residence in Cuba — Difficulties with Velasquez — Armada intrusted to Cortés		129
III.		Jealousy of Velasquez — Cortés embarks — Equipment or his Fleet — His Person and Character — Rendezvous at Havana — Strength of his Armament		142
IV.		Voyage to Cozumel — Conversion of the Natives — Jeronimo de Aguilar — Army arrives at Tabasco — Great Battle with the Indians — Christianity introduced		151
V.		Voyage along the Coast — Doña Marina — Spaniards land In Mexico — Interview with the Aztecs		168
VI.		Account of Montezuma — State of his Empire — Strange Prognostics — Embassy and Presents — Spanish Encampment		177
VII.		Troubles in the Camp — Plan of a Colony — Management of Cortés — March to Cempoall — Proceedings with the Natives — Foundation of Vera Cruz		193
VIII.		Another Aztec Embassy — Destruction of the Idols — Despatches sent to Spain — Conspiracy in the Camp — The Fleet Sunk		208
BOOK III
MARCH TO MEXICO
I.		Proceedings at Cempoalla — The Spaniards climb the Tableland — Picturesque Scenery — Transactions with the Natives — Embassy to Tlascala		229
II.		Republic of Tlascala — Its Institutions — Early History — Discussions in the Senate — Desperate Battles		241
III.		Decisive Victory — Indian Council — Night Attack — Negotiations with the Enemy — Tlascalan Hero		255
IV.		Discontents in the Army — Tlascalan Spies — Peace with the Republic — Embassy from Montezuma		267
V.		Spaniards enter Tlascala — Description of the Capital — Attempted Conversion — Aztec Embassy — Invited to Cholula		278
VI.		City of Cholula — Great Temple — March to Cholula — Reception of the Spaniards — Conspiracy Detected		287
VII.		Terrible Massacre — Tranquillity Restored — Reflections on the Massacre — Further Proceedings — Envoys from Montezuma		303
VIII.		March Resumed — Ascent of the Great Volcano — Valley of Mexico — Impression on the Spaniards — Conduct of Montezuma — They descend into the Valley		315
IX.		Environs of Mexico — Interview with Montezuma — Entrance into the Capital — Hospitable Reception — Visit to the Emperor		331
BOOK IV
RESIDENCE IN MEXICO
I.		Tezcucan Lake — Description of the Capital — Palaces and Museums — Royal Household — Montezuma's Way of Life		357
II.		Market of Mexico — Great Temple — Interior Sanctuaries — Spanish Quarters		375
III.		Anxiety of Cortés — Seizure Or Montezuma — His Treatment by the Spaniards — Execution of his Officers — Montezuma in Irons — Reflections		388
IV.		Montezuma's Deportment — His Life in the Spanish Quarter — Meditated Insurrection — Lord of Tezcuco Seized — Further Measures of Cortés		406
		Notes To Vol I		419