Our greatest account of the siege is from Aztec eyewitnesses. One of the Aztec heros was Tzilacatzin. He, they say, was a man who:

"scorned his enemies, Spaniards as well as Indians, so that they all shook with terror at the mere sight of him. When the Spaniards found out how dangerous he was, they tried desperately to kill him. Therefore, he wore various disguises to prevent them recognizing him, sometimes his lip plug, gold earrings and full regalia, then head uncovered to show his hair clipped Otomi style; sometimes he wore cotton armor with a thin kerchief wrapped round his head; but sometimes the full finery, a plumed headdress with the eagle symbol on its crest, and gleaming bracelets of gold on arms and ankles. He was one of only three captains who never retreated. They were contemptuous of their enemies and gave no thought whatsoever to their own safety...."