The Native American Nation

Zoomar,

The Spaniards taken during the OTL siege of Tenochtitlan were all sacrificed, as were the horse captured, despite the obvious benefits of keeping some alive.

You're presuming a rational mindset for the Aztecs, not that the Europeans of the time had it either. The Spanish were still seen as magical, even after their earlier behavior, escape from the capital, return with tens of thousands of native "allies". The "need" to sacrifice them was too large a part of the Aztec worldview to be set aside.

Auxiliaries weren't sacrificed regularly because they were auxiliaries and simply not important enough to matter. The Spaniards don't fall into that category.


Bill

I agree that in OTL, the Spaniards were all sacrificed. Remember, this was in the context of an active siege. However one can overplay the extent to which they were seen as "magical". Several post conquest codices make it quite clear at least some Aztecs fully understood that the Europeans and their horses were just men and animals.

However, in the TL presumed by the original poster, the Spaniards never occupy or lay siege to Mexico City. They are immediately attacked by the Aztecs and pushed into the sea. Faced with a few strange captives and some wierd stuff - and a lot more time to think about the situation - it is remotely possible an Eagle Knight or two might claim their captured victims as slaves, rather than give them over to the knife. It is known that high-status captives were occasionally kept alive for a long time, usually as hostages or occasionally to be exploited as turncoats. I agree, it is far more likely that all captives would be sacrificed, but the possibility does exist a few might be spared. The biggest problem would be language. Cortez was almost completely dependent on Malintzin as a translator of native language and interpreter of native attitudes. If she is killed or simply escapes, it is 100% certain no Aztecs would bother trying to learn these smelly barbarians' foul tongue. Not when it is almost dinner time.
 
Several post conquest codices make it quite clear at least some Aztecs fully understood that the Europeans and their horses were just men and animals.


Zoomar,

Yes, post-conquest codices.

However, in the TL presumed by the original poster...

The TL presumed by the OP is ASB and that's being kind.

The biggest problem would be language. Cortez was almost completely dependent on Malintzin as a translator of native language and interpreter of native attitudes. If she is killed or simply escapes, it is 100% certain no Aztecs would bother trying to learn these smelly barbarians' foul tongue. Not when it is almost dinner time.

Agreed.


Bill
 
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