In the year 1519, Motecozuoma, the Great Speaker of the Aztecs, resided in the magnificent city of Tenochtitlan. He ruled absolutely, and was treated as a god over much of what is now modern day Mexico. He began to hear stories from the eastern shore. Huge floating houses of wood had come, bringing strange-looking beings who spoke in incomprehensible babble, but wanted gold or food from the local natives. They exchanged small objects, such as knives, of a very hard, unknown material, or finely woven cloths, or decorative items such as bracelets or necklaces. They carried sticks that made fire and could kill at a distance. They wore invincible armor, fashioned of some unknown substance. They were accompanied by, even rode, ferocious animals never seen before. Until now, the strange beings had never remained. But now, they had landed and were building a city on the shore. It appeared they wanted to stay. According to legend, Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent god, was due to return soon. Could these strange beings be his minions? Could their leader be Quetzalcoatl in human form? Were they gods? As time passed, they informed his ambassador that they wanted to come to Tenochtitlan. The Great Speaker sent gold to persuade them to keep away. But, they insisted on coming to confront him. And then, he discovered they could be killed. Perhaps they were not gods, after all. The gods who were not gods left the coast and began to advance toward the capital city of the Aztecs. They defeated the fierce Tlaxcalans and made friends of them. They defeated the Cempoallans. They approached Tenochtitlan itself. The Spaniards, driven on by Hernan Cortes, wanted gold and wealth. They braved nearly overwhelming dangers to seize the rich treasures of the Aztecs. Many of them died in the attempt. The gods who came from the sea tells the story of that great adventure, and brings the historical figures of the time to life."