Cuauhtemoc

Cuauhtemoc was Moctezuma’s nephew and son-in-law, and is known as the final emperor of the Aztec. His name can be translated as “descending eagle.” Born in about 1500, Cuauhtemoc became emperor around the age of twenty-five after the deaths of Moctezuma and his successor, Cuitlahuac. At the time of his ascension to power, Cuauhtemoc was already well known as a great warrior and leader. His reign lasted but a few months. After being driven from the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, the Spanish under Cortez regrouped in the city of Tlaxcala, bolstering their forces with indigenous warriors who had long awaited their chance to strike back at the Aztec. The final siege of Tenochtitlan - where Aztec resolve struggled against Spanish gunpowder and steel - lasted barely three months. Cuauhtemoc was forced to surrender to Cortez and the Aztec empire was finished. But the story of Cuauhtemoc doesn’t end with disgrace. Cortez’s royal treasurer, Aldrete, had Cuauhtemoc tortured with fire in an effort to get him to reveal the Aztec secret storerooms of gold. But even with his feet in the flames, Cuauhtemoc steadfastly maintained none existed. Realizing the fruitlessness of this, Cortez took Cuauhtemoc into his own custody afterwards, but had him executed during an expedition into modern-day Honduras in 1525. Today Cuauhtemoc is revered throughout modern Mexico as a brave and honorable warrior who maintained his integrity to the very end. In Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition, Cuauhtemoc is a fierce warrior willing to take practically any measure to ensure victory. He’s confident, proud, and able to make good on any threat.

From the game's History encyclopedia, AoE3: DE 100.19.18309.