Included  on the DVD  The Aztecs

CHRONICLE

The Realms of Gold

Hernan Cortes was the first and greatest of the Conquistadors of New Spain. His confrontation with Montezuma and the empire of the Aztecs in Mexico in 1519 was the moment when for the very first time, in all their power and might, the Old World and the New stood face to face. Cortes's achievement was extraordinary-no less than the defeat of an entire civilisation with only 400 soldiers at his com- mand. But his victory would have been impossible but for one incredible fact􀀀Montezuma be- lieved that Cortes was his God, the Feathered Serpent Quetzalcoatl. John Julius Norwich recounts the extraordinary interplay of myth- ology and mounted warfare, of human sacrifice and brilliant strategy which led ultimately to the creation of Mexico.

Written and introduced by JOHN JULIUS NORWICH

Produced by KENNETH SHEPHEAR