It has been said that the Spanish Conquistador, Hernan Cortes, was able to conquer the Aztec because he resembled the deity Quetzalcoatl. Here's how the story goes.
Legend of Quetzalcoatl by Diego Rivera
As far as deities go, Quetzalcoatl was one of the groovier ones. While the other gods treaty humanity with disdain and barbarity, the Plumed Serpent (as he was also know) grew angrier and angrier. He decided to share his knowledge with humanity and relieve them of their subjugation to the gods. When he first appeared in the village of Tollan he came across a priest performing a human sacrifice for his brother Tezcalipoca. Quetzalcoatl was furious and hurled thunderbolts through the sky at the barbarity. He assured the citizens that while he walked the earth no harm would come to them, and in fact they would prosper from his teachings. He shared with them the secrets of maintaining a pure soul through humility and by rejecting material pleasures.
Then one day…his evil brother Tezcalipoca disguised himself as an old man, who offered the Plumed Serpent a liquid to drink. Quetzalcoatl was unaware that this was no ordinary drink but rather pulque and alcoholic beverage made from the maguey plant. The benevolent god became quite intoxicated and broke his vow of celibacy with a priestess from his order.
The next day, ashamed and feeling unworthy to stay in Tollan, Quetzalcoatl built a boat made of snakes and sailed off into the sun. He vowed that he would return to Tollan to avenge his name.
Legend of Quetzalcoatl by Diego Rivera
Cortes arrived on the same shore the Quetzalcoatl departed from, and like the Plumed Serpent he had pale skin with facial hair. It has been said that the Aztecs the strange ships, fancy armour and believed that their departed deity had returned. As legend has it this worked into Cortes's favour, convincing the indigenous Mexicans that he was the reincarnation of their god.
Most scholars these days reject this Cortes/Quetzalcoatl mix up. It's believed that this was a legend started by the Spanish as a way of diminishing the Aztecs as foolish and superstitious and thus encourage further exploits to the Western Hemisphere.
True or not it is an interesting tale. So here is my version of the legend.
The Dastardly Hernan Cortes in His Quetzalcoatl Disguise by Michael deMeng
The Dastardly Hernan Cortes in His Quetzalcoatl Disguise by Michael deMeng