Montezuma Montezuma was the ruler of the Aztecs. Aztecs lived in Mexico around the 1400's to 1500's. They were an advanced civilization. Their religion seemed brutal to us but normal to them. Their clothes and customs have changed. Aztecs lived where southern Mexico is today. Tenochtitlan was their capital until Spain came around. Due to their religion and customs, Hernando Cortez, leader of the Spanish Conquest, was believed to be a white god. He made Montezuma prisoner and captured Tenoctitlan and renamed it Mexico City. Sacrificing people to gods was a normal thing. They would sacrifice slaves and prisoners. That is why they waged war with people.