How did Montezuma II die during the conflict with the Spanish?

The death of Montezuma II remains a subject of historical uncertainty, as accounts from the period differ regarding the cause.1

After being taken captive by Hernán Cortés, Montezuma’s perceived submission to the Spanish eroded his authority among his people. In an attempt to quell the growing unrest in Tenochtitlán, the emperor addressed his subjects, but he was reportedly assailed by the crowd with stones and arrows. According to Spanish accounts, he died three days later from the wounds sustained during this attack. Conversely, many Aztecs believed that the Spanish had murdered their emperor during the conflict.123