Hernan Cortes

Hernan Cortes was a Spanish conquistador. He was born in Medellin, Spain, in 1485. He led the expedition that conquered the Aztec Empire in Mexico. His actions changed the history of the Americas forever.

Early Life

Cortes studied law briefly but wanted adventure. He sailed to the Caribbean as a young man. He settled in Cuba and became a local official. He was chosen to lead an expedition to the coast of Mexico.

An old drawing of the Spanish explorer Hernan Cortes.
An old drawing of the Spanish explorer Hernan Cortes. (Christoph Weiditz the Elder / Wikimedia Commons)

Big Achievements

Cortes arrived in Mexico in 1519 with about 600 men. He made alliances with native groups who opposed the Aztecs. He marched to the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, one of the largest cities in the world. By 1521, the Aztec Empire had fallen. This brought great suffering to the native people.

Fun Facts

  • Cortes reportedly burned his own ships so his men could not turn back.
  • The Aztec emperor Montezuma welcomed Cortes at first.
  • Cortes brought horses to mainland America, which the Aztecs had never seen.

Did You Know?

The Aztec capital Tenochtitlan was built on an island in a lake. It was bigger than most European cities at the time. Mexico City was built on top of its ruins.