Final answer:
The Aztecs were not necessarily expecting Cortés, but there were indications that they were anticipating the arrival of the Spanish. The encounter between the Aztecs and the Spanish was influenced by a combination of factors, including dreams, curiosity, and the allure of wealth and power.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Aztecs were not necessarily expecting Cortés, but there were indications that they were anticipating the arrival of the Spanish. Prior to Cortés' arrival, an old man from Xochimilcan had a dream about the Spanish, which he recounted to Moctezuma, the ruler of the Aztecs. This suggests that there was some awareness or anticipation among the Aztecs about the possibility of encountering the Spanish.
Furthermore, the Aztecs were intrigued by the wealth and power of the Spanish conquistadors, which attracted Cortés and his men to the Aztec Empire. The Aztec wealth in gold fascinated the Spanish adventurers, and the Spanish ultimately conquered the Aztecs.
While the Aztecs were not specifically expecting Cortés, the encounter between the Aztecs and the Spanish was influenced by a combination of factors, including dreams, curiosity, and the allure of wealth and power.