" Because the Spanish found the native religion to be barbaric, they immediately perceived the Nahua people to be uncivilized and barbaric as well, which in turn compromised their status and placement in dealing with the Spanish.
The Spanish, specifically Cortes, later used the native religion to their advantage, manipulating it despite their abhorrence of it. However, this manipulation stems from the Nahua's perception of their native religion. The Nahua had an indigenous historical tradition, and with this tradition "[they] constructed a foundation for their inheritance of legitimacy (Brooks 178)." This foundation of legitimacy, which served as an explanation for their move into the valley, also came to serve as their religion as well; their movement mirroring that of the god Quetzalcoatl who brought civilization to the valley and was prophesized to return. The arrival of the Spaniards, was preceded with certain signs and omens observed by native priests. Montezuma and his council came to see this arrival of strong and fearsome foreigners to possibly be "Quetzalcoatl's return." Therefore, the natives believed they were dealing with ancestral gods, which is seen in the Florentine Codex where Nahua messengers "replied to the gods, the Spaniards (86)," and even from the leader Montezuma who, complexed by and confused on how to treat the situation "repeatedly wished to flee, to hide, to take refuge from the gods (86)." Because of their past and religion, the Nahua only knew how to explain the presence of the Spaniards in one way and that was by assuming "Quetzalcoatl's return" and classifying them as gods, which caused them to inadvertently become subjects under their foe.
Cortes and the Spaniards used this aspect of the native religion to their advantage. The god-status which had been bestowed upon Cortes and his men was quite visible to them. The Spanish conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo even goes to say that Montezuma ascertained to them "that [they] were those whom [the] ancestors predicted would come (19)," and then state that he and his people were thereby indebted to them and their King.
