The last ruler of the Aztec Empire was Moctezuma II, who reigned from 1502 to 1520. His leadership coincided with the arrival of Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés. Initially, Moctezuma II believed Cortés might be a god, leading to a complex relationship between the two. However, the Spanish forces ultimately besieged Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital, resulting in its fall in 1521. Moctezuma II's leadership, marked by both prosperity and turmoil, ended tragically as he was taken prisoner during the conquest and eventually killed, symbolizing the decline of the Aztec civilization.