“The Aztecs thought Cortes was a god”

The widespread belief that the Aztecs thought Hernán Cortés was the returning god Quetzalcoatl is a persistent historical inaccuracy. This idea largely originated in post-conquest narratives, primarily crafted by Spanish chroniclers decades after the events unfolded. For instance, Francisco López de Gómara, Cortés's chaplain who never traveled to the Americas, first popularized this story in 1552. This narrative served to legitimize the Spanish conquest, portraying it as a divinely sanctioned event where Indigenous people, swayed by ancient prophecies, willingly submitted to what they believed were returning deities.

However, historical evidence directly contradicts this myth. Cortés's own letters to King Charles V, written during the conquest, make no mention of being mistaken for a god. Furthermore, pre-conquest depictions of Quetzalcoatl do not align with the European image of a white, bearded man, which is a key component of the myth. The Mexica (Aztecs) had also been observing Spanish ships for at least two years before Cortés's arrival, gathering intelligence and indicating their understanding that these were human newcomers, albeit powerful ones. Actions by Indigenous groups, such as the Cholulans planning an ambush against Cortés, further demonstrate they did not perceive him as divine.

The myth endures in popular culture for several reasons. It offers a simplistic, yet compelling, explanation for how a relatively small group of Spaniards could conquer a formidable empire. This powerful narrative was widely disseminated by Spanish chroniclers and became the accepted version of events, even being taught in educational settings for generations. Ultimately, the "white gods" story functions as a dehumanizing narrative, implying that Indigenous peoples were easily deceived due to their beliefs, thus equating European technological advantage with intellectual and moral superiority to justify the conquest.