The most familiar figure in Aztec history for many people is Montezuma II, the great leader of the Aztecs at the time of the Spanish conquest.

Montezuma II, in Nahuatl Montecuhzoma (1480-1520), ruler of the Aztec Empire of Mexico, succeeded Ahuizotl, who reigned from 1486 to 1502, and ruled during the Spanish invasion of his country. When the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés arrived in Mexico in 1519, Montezuma believed that he was the Aztec god-king Quetzalcoatl. Accordingly, Cortés was presented with elaborate gold and silver gifts. Later, fearful that the Aztecs would attack the outnumbered Spanish troops, Cortés held Montezuma hostage. In June 1520, the Aztecs, growing restive under Spanish control, revolted. Cortés called on Montezuma to quell the revolt, but the Aztec ruler was stoned while addressing his subjects. He reportedly died three days later. Montezuma was succeeded by Cuitlahuac and 80 days later by his nephew, the last Aztec ruler, Guatemotzin.

Much of the fame accorded Montezuma is no doubt derived from the Spanish records which have left a vivid picture of the Aztecs and their leader. In The Conquest of New Spain, Bernal Diaz del Castillio gives a description of the Aztec leader:

When we came near to Mexico, at a place where there where some other small towers, the Great Montezuma descended from his litter, and these other great Caciques support him beneath a marvelously rich canopy of green feathers, decorated with gold work, silver, pearls, and chalchihuites, which hung from a sort of border. It was a marvelous site. The Great Montezuma was magnificently clad, in their fashion, and wore sandals of a kid for which their name is cactli, the soles of which are of gold and the upper parts ornamented with precious stones. And the four other lords who supported him where richly clad also in garments that seemed to have been kept ready for them on the road so that they would accompany their master. For they had not worn clothes like this when they came out to receive us. The were four other great Caciques who carried the canopy above their heads, and many more lords who walked before the great Montezuma, sweeping the ground on which he was to tread, and laying down cloaks so that his feet should not touch the earth. Not one of these chieftains dared to look him in the face. All kept their eyes lowered most reverently except those four lords, his nephews, who were supporting him.