Moses, Caesar, Hero, Anti-hero: The Posthumous Faces of Hernando Cortés (Restall 2016) (original) (raw)

Exploring the multifaceted posthumous perceptions of Hernando Cortés, this analysis delineates his representations as both a hero and an anti-hero, tracing these identities through historical narratives and cultural artifacts. The study reveals that the dichotomy of these images serves not to undermine but rather to perpetuate the myth of Cortés, suggesting that a deeper understanding of his legacy is rooted in these conflicting portrayals, ultimately impacting interpretations of his role in history, including the Spanish-Aztec War.