preview

The Aztec Marketplace At Tlatelolco

Good Essays

In the primary source document, The Aztec Marketplace at Tlatelolco by Bernal Diaz del Castillo, Castillo manages to describe the magnificent marketplace at the Aztec city, Tlatelolco. Castillo’s memory and recollection of his experience at the market place occurred around the time period of 1521, when the Aztec empire was conquered by the Spaniards through the expedition of Hernán Cortés. After these expeditions and battles between the Aztec natives and the Spanish newcomers, Castillo was able to record his involvement and experience in his entries fifty years later in Guatemala where he lived in retirement. Bernal Diaz del Castillo was born of “a respectable although not distinguished family” and decided to join the expedition lead by Cortés “for the conquest of Mexico” due to his fascination with “the enchanted… tales of the fortunes to be found in newly discovered America” (Your Dictionary). Castillo served the Spanish expedition “as little more than a common foot soldier” yet also “had exercised some authority and enjoyed the confidence of Cortés.” (Your Dictionary). Considering how the patriarchal system became implanted in the Americas when the Spaniards arrived, Castillo could be seen as someone who was of a somewhat high status. He was male, of Spanish ethnicity, and served in the military, resulting in him being respected and rewarded for his prestige. His status was especially valued in comparison to others such as the indigenous people of the Americas, who were

Get Access