 At the time of its publication, Torquemada referred to his history under the abbreviated title "Libros rituales y monarquía indiana" or "Monarquía y historia indiana", but others were already calling it the "Monarquía indiana", the name by which it has generally been known ever since.The leading motif of Torquemada's monumental history – elaborated by him in many places, especially in the general prologue to the entire work – can be characterised as the merciful action of Divine Providence in choosing the Spanish to liberate the Indians from their subjection to the Devil who had deceived these innocent peoples into practising a religion marred by errors and polluted by abominations such as human sacrifice.On this interpretation the fall of the Aztec monarchy was a Divine chastisement and Spain the rod.