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Just for clarification: Chichen Itza is Mayan. Not sure when it was most active but I do know that Teotihuacan had a good deal of influence on some Mayan cities. This is in evidence by trade goods unearthed in and around Teotihuacan as well as building done in the talud and tablero style being located in Mayan territory.
As for the deaths brought upon the Triple Alliance by Cortez. A host of factors led to this. One was the alliance formed with Cortez by Tarascans and Tlaxcalans(forgive spelling), another was the Aztec Triple Alliance did not work well together in the formative steps of the Spanish presence in the Valley of Mexico, of course the vast sickness that spread played a major part as well. Finally, the worldview of the Aztecs cannot be fully understood but surely they felt safe enough to let Cortes into the city. The concept of such a small band of soldiers taking Moctezuma captive probably did not enter their minds in much the same way we did not consider the technique used in 9/11.
Much has been made of Moctezuma considering Cortez to be a returned God. In fact this is likely a mix of post Conquest justification by the Aztecs combined with Spanish promotion of such an idea.
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funny quip
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