The conquest of new spain by bernal diaz del castillo. Hernando cortez is the name of the leader of the expedition, commonly associated with new spain, and mexico, the ancient capital of the aztec empire. If you are a serious student of aztec history and culture bernal diaz epic story of new spain is simply a must. Among them is this description of the market in tlatelolco, one of the central cities at the heart of aztec imperial power. The life story of bernal diaz is an amazing tale of partici. The memoirs of the conquistador bernal diaz del castillo. The history of the conquest of new spain by bernal diaz del castillo. One of the most intriguing conquests in the new world, this firstperson account affords us an absorbing view of the spanish overthrow of montezumas aztec empire.
After participating in two explorations of the mexican coast, diaz. The memoirs of the conquistador bernal diaz del castillo, vol 1 of 2 written by himself containing a true and full account of the discovery and conquest of mexico and new spain. This rugged new translationthe first entirely new english translation in half a century and the only one based on the most recent critical edition of the guatemalan msallows diaz to recount, in his own battleweary and often cynical voice, the achievements, stratagems, and frequent cruelty of hernando cortes and his men as they set out to overthrow moctezumas aztec kingdom and establish a. It also provides readers with an eyewitness account of one of the most important military campaigns in military history. Bernal diaz del castillo, himself a soldier under cortes, presents a fascinatingly detailed description of the spanish landing in mexico in 1520, their amazement at. A chronology of the conquest is included, as are a guide to major figures, a select bibliography, and three maps. J m cohen recollections of the conquest of new spain describes the various expeditions, marches, embassies, important leaders, sieges, and captures. Vivid, powerful and absorbing, this is a firstperson account of one of the most startling military episodes in history. The conquest of new spain bernal diaz del castillo. Bernal diaz del castillo, himself a soldier under cortes, presents a fascinatingly detailed description of the spanish landing in mexico in 1520 and their amazement at.
It treats of the discovery and total conquest of new spain. Bernal diaz del castillo, the true history of the conquest of new spain excerpts from the web site of the hanover historical text project. Afterwards, when he read biased and inaccurate accounts of the conquest, he decided to write his own eyewitness account. The conquest of new spain by bernal diaz del castillo book resume. The true history of the conquest of new spain by bernal. The true history of the conquest of new spain hackett classics 9781603842907.
The history of the conquest of new spain by bernal diaz. The book offers an original interpretation of the spaniards conquest, colonization, and destruction of precolumbian cultures in. The true story, told by the eye witness, as being history as he has seen it and witnessed it. View the article pdf and any associated supplements and figures for a period of 48 hours. The conquest of new spain bernal diaz translated with an introduction by j. In his later years he was an encomendero and governor in chiapas and guatemala where he wrote his memoirs called the true history of the conquest of new spain. An account of the defeat of the aztecs by cortes and his small band of adventurers, recounting the march from the coast, montezumas death, the massacre of the spaniards and the eventual capture of the capital of mexico. Bernal diaz, history of the conquest of new spain, c. Selections from the conquest of new spain bernal diaz del castillo ideally suited for use in swiftmoving surveys of world, atlantic, and latin american history, this abridgment of ted humphrey and janet burkes 2012 translation of the true history provides key excerpts from diaz s text and concise summaries of omitted passages. The true history of the conquest of new spain bernal. David carrascos revised edition of bernal diaz del castillos classic text the history of the conquest of new spain is a welcome addition to the published primary sources on colonial history. The true history of the conquest of new spain ghent.
After several years, he joined hernando cortes expedition to mexico. The true history of the conquest of new spain bernal diaz del castillo. Pdf the conquest of new spain download ebook for free. Diaz participated in the major events of the conquest. The true history of the conquest of new spain mexican. Finally, the book also includes a series of maps and interpretive essays that provide. Bernal diaz the true history of the conquest of new spain. At the age of seventy, he began to write his true history of the conquest of new spain. Lyman johnson, university of north carolina, charlotte, bernal diaz s true history of the conquest of new spain, the chronicle of an ordinary soldier in hernando cortess army, is the only complete account other than cortess own that we have of the spanish conquest of ancient mexico. Bernal diaz del castillo, born in spain in 1492, came to the new world at age 22, seeking fortune. J m cohen an account of the defeat of the aztecs by cortes and his small band.
Diaz, a simple sergeant and survivor of no less than three expeditions to mexico is unlike most of his contemporaries literate. A soldier participating in the overthrow, bernal diaz del castillo wrote of their amazement at the city, the exploitation of the indigenous peoples there, and the eventual capture of tenochtitlan with detailed observation and. The conquest of new spain by bernal diaz del castillo goodreads. Conquest of new spain by bernal diaz, pt 2 youtube. His personal tale about being a conquistador during the fall of the aztec empire is filled with beautiful imagery, frightful battles, and unspoken orders that occurred during the 1500s.
815 69 1110 1567 1089 1005 985 189 1573 973 897 1227 343 567 1593 1445 1483 1287 1213 178 1411 796 527 645 359 552 423 707 1194 208 1093 1093 1001