King Moctezuma, or Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin, “He who frowns like a Lord,” or “He who is angry in a noble manner.”
Obviously, we don’t really know what he looked like. But they always have some gorgeous man playing him in historical reenactments, so that’s how I’ve always imagined him: swoon-worthy. A beautiful and noble ruler, tragically cut down at the height of his kingdom’s glory. And we do have this testimony from the Spanish, untrustworthy as it may be:
“The Great Montezuma was about forty years old, of good height, well proportioned, spare and slight, and not very dark, though of the usual Indian complexion. He did not wear his hair long but just over his ears, and he had a short black beard, well-shaped and thin. His face was rather long and cheerful, he had fine eyes, and in his appearance and manner could express geniality or, when necessary, a serious composure. He was very neat and clean, and took a bath every afternoon. He had many women as his mistresses, the daughters of chieftains, but two legitimate wives who were Caciques in their own right, and only some of his servants knew of it.” -Bernal Diaz del Castillo, 1568.
