The story fascinates on so many levels. A small band of adventurers defeat tremendous numbers of powerful opponents. Cortez uses war, diplomacy, and yes, genius that nobody knew he possessed. The Aztecs were a culture that spread fear, death, and destruction. The state was preeminent, the emperor ruled with authority, and the individual meant nothing. In order to prove it, oceans of blood were sacrificed by the demanding priests to their gods. Cortez stopped cannibalism and brought Christianity to the peoples of the region. Hopefully, the world will not head down this horrific from of tyranny again.