When the Old and New Worlds collided, it was characterized by European conquest that decimated civilizations like the Aztecs and Incas. Spanish conquistadors pursued their own ambitions at the cost of whole cultures. Historians are cautious about Spanish accounts, as they may not have accurately portrayed the cultures they deemed inferior. One Spanish person, Diego Duran, learned the Aztec language and documented Aztec history and culture based on interviews. His text revealed details about Aztec governing practices and social hierarchies from their perspective.