Why did the Aztec Emperor send gifts to the Spanish?

The Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II sent gifts to the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés as a gesture of respect and to demonstrate the wealth and power of the Aztec Empire. He believed that Cortés might be a divine figure or a representative of the gods, as he had heard prophecies about the return of a god from the east. By sending lavish gifts, Moctezuma aimed to appease the Spanish and establish a diplomatic relationship, hoping to avoid conflict. Ultimately, this gesture did not prevent the subsequent conquest of the Aztec Empire.