LAURA E. MATTHEW & MICHAEL R. OUDIJK
The consquest of the New World would hardly have been possible if the invading Spaniards had no allied themselves whith the indegenous population. Indian conquistadors, examines the role of native people as asctive agents in the Consquest an the critical importance of native allies in both conquest and colonial control.
In this volume a team of leading scholars examine pictorial, archeological, and documentary evidence spanning three centuries. Theris new research shows that the Tlaxcalans, the most famous allies of the Spanish, were far froms alone. Not only did native lords throughout Mesoamerica supply arms, troops, and tactical guidance, but tens of thousands of warrios—Nahuas, Mixtecs,Zapotecs, Mayas, and others— spread throughout the regions to participate with the spanish in a common cause.
By offering a more balance account of this dramatic period, this book calls into question tradicional narratives that emphasize indigenous peoples roles as auxiliares rather that conquistadors in their own rigth. Enhanced with twelve maps and more than forty ilustrations. Indian Conquistadors opens a vital new line of research and challenge our understanding of this importante era.
