By The Death Of A Few

"Fortieth chapter, where it is said how the Tlatelolca and Tenochca and their ruler submitted to the Spaniards, and what happened when they were among them... Then they took a cannon, put it in a boat, and took it to the home of Coyohuehuetzin. When they got there... then again they killed people; many died there. But the Mexica just fled, and the war came to an end." (Victors and Vanquished, 195)

As I read "The Siege and Fall of Tenochititlan" I was impressed as I came across this selection that as soon as some leaders gave themselves up, they were killed and the war ended. As in all battles the end usually comes when someone important dies, this battle was no different.

This may be a stretch, but my thoughts then drifted to one of my favorite movies: Gladiator. In this movie the emperor, Commodus, is trying to keep Rome and all his power to himself while at the same time, the senate is trying to give the power back to the people. Commodus had previously done some pretty shady things in trying to get rid of Maximus, the appointed ruler of Rome, who would have given the people the power that was rightfully theirs to have. The following was the commentary between the dying father of Commodus and his chosen replacement, Maximus:

Marcus Aurelius: There is one more duty that I ask of you before you go home.
Maximus: What would you have me do Caesar?
Marcus Aurelius: I want you to become the protector of Rome after I die. I will empower you to one end alone, to give power back to the people of Rome and end the corruption that has crippled it. 
Marcus Aurelius: Do you accept this great honor that I have offered you?
Maximus: With all my heart, no.
Marcus Aurelius: Maximus, that is why it must be you.

Maximus becomes a slave, then a gladiator, then makes his way to Rome to fight in the Coliseum. He fights and fights until he is stabbed and then challenged by Commodus. He kills Commodus and also dies. As the death of these two men comes to pass, the fight of Commodus (the Mexica) and Roman people (the Spaniards) also dies. 

Like i said, it may be a little bit of a stretch, but that is what i thought of. As the Spaniards took over, the region advanced; in the movie when Rome as a people got their power back they were at peace. All it took was the death of a few key individuals. These two situations are extremely similar, and very similar to many other events in the history of this world. The Mexica were trying to hold on to the past, their traditions, and their power in Central America just like Commodus and his power , but like Maximus the Spaniards were victorious and they were able to rest. 

This last video gives an overview of the movie so you too can try to see the parallel that I derived from it. Just a little warning there is minimal blood, but some blood nonetheless. 

And a little fun fact to finish up: In the movie Maximus is nicknamed, The Spaniard