Why was Bernal Diaz del Castillo an important historical figure?

Question

I've read a lot about him and I can't come up with why he is important. I've already written a lot on why he is , but not enough. And I have "fluffed" it up too. I still need like 3 paragraphs on why he was important.

Thanks for all yall's help (in advance lol)!

=)

Answer 1

Since you are polite enough to thank us in advance, and also since you realize books are divine, I will answer your question. I am not going to refer you to wikipedia either.

One reason why Bernal Diaz del Castillo was an important historical figure was that he was a literate eyewitness to the events of the 16th century. Surely you realize in the early years of the 16th century that most people were illiterate. Without his written record ('The Conquistadors Enter Mexico City' - 8 November 1519) historians (and the general public that actually reads about History) would have very few written accounts of the Aztecs, Iztapalapa, and Montezuma. His record includes his own feeling of amazement upon seeing the towns and buildings of the Aztec civilization:

"The great towns and cues and buildings rising from the water, all made of stone, seemed like an enchanted vision from the tale of Amadis. Indeed, some of our soldiers asked whether it was not all a dream. It is not surprising therefore that I should write in this vein. It was all so wonderful that I do not know how to describe this first glimpse of things never heard of, seen or dreamed before."

Bernal Diaz best relates the spirit of discovery, the recognition of the Aztec achievements, and the initial contact between the two civilizations to the reader.