Pedro de Alvarado
I start off with a sixteenth century Nahuatl poem:
“Nothing but flowers and songs of sorrow are left in Mexico and Tlatelolco, where once we saw warriors and wise men.
We know that it is true that we must perish, for we are mortal men.
You, the giver of life, you have ordained it.
We wander here and there in our desolate poverty.
We are mortal men.
We have seen bloodshed and pain where once we saw beauty and valor.
We are crushed to the ground; we lie in ruins.
There is nothing but grief and suffering in Mexico and Tlatelolco where once we saw beauty and valor.
Have you grown weary of your servants?
Are you angry with your servants, oh giver of life?” (Sixteenth century Nahuatl Poem)
This poem written after the conquistadors had conquered most of what they dubbed New Spain. Today, I hope to inform you about one of the most reviled, ruthless, and ambitious conquistadors to have been a part of the Spanish colonization of modern day Mexico and Central America, Don Pedro de Alvarado.
I have done extensive research and as a first generation US born El Salvadorian, I have some cultural ties in which Alvarado 's role in history has had a direct influence in.
First, I will giving you a little history about how he became a man of power. Secondly, I will be telling you about the type of leader he was. Lastly, I will be telling you of his major accomplishments in the course of his life.
BODY
Don Alvarado lived from 1485 – 1541, who later in life would come to be named Hernan Cortez’s “right hand man”, and the Aztec 's nicknamed “Tonatiuh” which is what they called their Sun God in Nahautl language; due to his complexion and hair color. Just a soldier, when he and his 3 brothers and uncle voyaged on their first expedition and conquest of Hispaniola and Cuba in 1510. He was given his first command in the expedition led by Juan de Grijalva, that sailed from Cuba to the Yucatan peninsula on the Mexican coast.
By 1519, when Hernan Cortez was
“Nothing but flowers and songs of sorrow are left in Mexico and Tlatelolco, where once we saw warriors and wise men.
We know that it is true that we must perish, for we are mortal men.
You, the giver of life, you have ordained it.
We wander here and there in our desolate poverty.
We are mortal men.
We have seen bloodshed and pain where once we saw beauty and valor.
We are crushed to the ground; we lie in ruins.
There is nothing but grief and suffering in Mexico and Tlatelolco where once we saw beauty and valor.
Have you grown weary of your servants?
Are you angry with your servants, oh giver of life?” (Sixteenth century Nahuatl Poem)
This poem written after the conquistadors had conquered most of what they dubbed New Spain. Today, I hope to inform you about one of the most reviled, ruthless, and ambitious conquistadors to have been a part of the Spanish colonization of modern day Mexico and Central America, Don Pedro de Alvarado.
I have done extensive research and as a first generation US born El Salvadorian, I have some cultural ties in which Alvarado 's role in history has had a direct influence in.
First, I will giving you a little history about how he became a man of power. Secondly, I will be telling you about the type of leader he was. Lastly, I will be telling you of his major accomplishments in the course of his life.
BODY
Don Alvarado lived from 1485 – 1541, who later in life would come to be named Hernan Cortez’s “right hand man”, and the Aztec 's nicknamed “Tonatiuh” which is what they called their Sun God in Nahautl language; due to his complexion and hair color. Just a soldier, when he and his 3 brothers and uncle voyaged on their first expedition and conquest of Hispaniola and Cuba in 1510. He was given his first command in the expedition led by Juan de Grijalva, that sailed from Cuba to the Yucatan peninsula on the Mexican coast.
By 1519, when Hernan Cortez was