"The Aztec Civilization of Mexico" from Bernal Diaz The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz de Castillo

Motecusuma had also two arsenals filled with arms of every description, of which many were ornamented with gold and precious stones. These arms consisted in shields of different sizes, sabres, and a species of broadsword, which is wielded with both hands, the edge furnished with flint stones, so extremely sharp that they cut much better than our Spanish swords: further, lances of greater length than ours, with spikes at their end, full on fathom in length, likewise furnished with several sharp flint stones. The pikes are so very sharp and hard that they will pierce the strongest shield, and cut like a razor; so that the Mexicans even shave themselves with these stones. Then there were excellent bows and arrows, pikes with single and double points, and the proper thongs to throw them with; slings with round stones, purposely made for them; also a species of large shield, so ingeniously constructed that it could be rolled up when not wanted; they are only unrolled on the field of battle, and completely cover the whole body from the head to the feet. Further, we saw here a great variety of cuirasses made of quilted cotton, which were outwardly adorned with soft feathers of different colours, and looked like uniforms...

p.343,4

The moment we arrived in this immense market, we were perfectly astonished at the vast numbers of people, the profusion of merchandise, which was there exposed for sale, and at the good police and order that reigned throughout.... Every species of merchandise had a separate spot for its sale. We first of all visited those divisions of the market appropriated for the sale of gold and silver wares. Of jewels, of cloths interwoven with feathers, and of other manufactured goods; beside slaves of both sexes. This slave market was upon as great a scale as the Portuguese market for negro slaves at Guinea. To prevent these from running away, they were fastened with halters about their neck, though some were allowed to walk at large. Next to these came the dealers in coarser wares — cotton, twisted, thread, and cacao. In short, every species of goods which New Spain produces were here to be found. ... If it had to enumerate everything single, I should not so easily get to the end. And yet I have not mentioned the paper, which in this country is called amatl; the tubes filled with liquid amber and tobacco, the various sweet-scented salves, and similar things; nor the various seeds which were exposed for sale in the porticoes of this market, nor the medicinal herbs.

In this market-place there were also courts of justice, to which three judges an several constables were appointed, who inspected the goods exposed for sale. I had almost forgotten to mention the salt, and those who made the flint knives; also the fish, and a species of bread made of a kind of mud or slime collected fro the surface of this lake and eaten in that form, and has a similar taste to our cheese. Further, instruments of brass, copper, and tin; cups, and painted pitches of wood; indeed I wish I had completed the enumeration of all this profusion of merchandise. The variety was so great that it would occupy more space than I can well spare to note them down in. Besides which the market was so crowded with people, and the thronging so excessive in the porticoes, that it was quite impossible to see all in one day , ...

... Before we mounted the steps of the great temple, Motecusuma, who was sacrificing on the top to his idols, sent six papas and two of his principal officers to conduct Cortes up the steps. There were 114 steps to the summit ... Indeed, this infernal temple, from its great height, commanded a view of the whole surrounding neighbourhood. From this place we could likewise see the three causeways which led into Mexico --... We also observed the aqueduct which ran from Chapultepec, and provided the whole town with sweet water. We could also distinctly see the bridges across the openings, by which these causeways were intersected, and through which the waters of the lake ebbed and, flowed. The lake itself was crowded with canoes, which were bringing provisions, manufacturers, and other merchandise to the city. From here we also discovered that the only communication to the houses in this city, and of all the other towns built in the lade, was by means of drawbridges or canoes. In all these towns the beautiful white plastered temples rose above the smaller ones, like so many towers and castles in our Spanish towns, and this, it may be imagined, was a splendid sight....

p.345

...[re: religion and sacrifices] Our commander here said smilingly, to Motecusuma: I cannot imagine that such a powerful and wise monarch as you are should not have yourself discovered by this time that these idols are not divinities but evil spirits, called devils. In order that you may be convinced of this and that your papas may satisfy themselves of this truth, allow me to erect a cross on the summit of this temple; and, in the chapel where stand your Huitzilopochtili and Tetzcatlipuca [gods], give us a small space that I may place there the image of the holy Virgin; then you will see that terror will seize these idols by which you have been so long deluded"

Motecusuma knew what the image of the Virgin Mary was, yet he was very much displeased with Cortes’ offer, and replied in the presence of two papas, whose anger was not less conspicuous, "Malinche [Cortes], could I have conjectured that you would have used such reviling language as you have just done, I would certainly not have shown you my gods. In our eyes these are good divinities: they preserve our lives, give us nourishment, water and good harvests, healthy and growing weather, and victory whenever we pray to them for it. Therefore we offer up our prayers to them and make them sacrifices, I earnestly beg of you not to say another word to insult the profound veneration in which we hold these gods".