Hernán Cortés
1485–1547 · Spanish · Spanish Conquest of the Americas
Known for: Conquered the Aztec Empire with fewer than 600 men through audacity, alliances, and superior technology
Hernán Cortés was the Spanish conquistador who destroyed the Aztec Empire with an initial force of fewer than 600 men. He burned his ships to prevent retreat, exploited divisions among indigenous peoples to build a coalition of tens of thousands of native allies, and captured the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán in 1521.
He was cunning, charming, and completely ruthless. He defied the governor of Cuba's orders, nearly died multiple times, and was simultaneously fighting Aztecs and rival Spaniards. He was rewarded with a title and lands but spent his later years petitioning the Crown for recognition he felt he deserved, dying bitter and underappreciated.
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