Moctezuma II was the ninth ruler of the Aztec Empire, reigning from 1502 to 1520. He is known for his significant expansion of the empire and for his complex relationship with the Spanish conquistadors, particularly Hernán Cortés. Moctezuma II was a skilled leader and administrator, overseeing a period of great wealth and cultural development in Tenochtitlán, the capital of the Aztec Empire. During his reign, Moctezuma II faced the arrival of the Spanish in 1519, which ultimately led to the downfall of the Aztec Empire. His initial hospitality towards the Spanish was influenced by prophecies and misunderstandings about their intentions. This period marked a significant turning point in Mesoamerican history.