Hernando Cortes

            Hernan Cortés' Conquest of the Aztecs.
             Hernan Cortés was one of the most accomplished conquistadors of the 16th century. Born in Medellin, Estramadura in 1485, he had been experienced to combat fairly early in life. In 1511, he was asked by the Spanish royalty to help fight the natives of Cuba. This was Cortés' first real combat, in which he learned many of the skills he would later use in combat of the Aztecs. The governor of Cuba saw that Cortés held the potential to be a triumphant conquistador, so in 1518 he was sent to Mexico in search of its treasures. Cortés' conquest of the Aztecs in Mexico was successful due to his advanced technology, unfamiliar European diseases, and the misunderstanding tragically caused by the Aztec religion.
             Cortés set out in 1519 when he was 34 years old. , the governor of Cuba equipped him with 11 ships, 100 sailors, as many as 508 swordsmen, 32 crossbowmen, and 13 musketeers. He was also given 14 cannons and 16 horses. The expedition landed on an island known as Cozumel Island off the coast of the Yucatan. They then traveled north alongside the coast, fighting a battle in Tobasco. A result of this battle was the capture of a nineteen year old slave girl by the name of Dona Malinche. She spoke several languages and was able to quickly learn Spanish. Dona Malinche became Cortés' interpreter and allowed Cortés' team to make allies with other tribes who detested the Aztecs. She was also the mother of his son. .
             Cortés set up a colony at what is now known as Vera Cruz. He there had his entire fleet burned with the exception of one ship. Upon their arrival, emissaries from the Aztec capital came to investigate their foreign guests. Reports were sent back to Moctezuma, the Aztec leader, that their visitors on horseback were "beasts with two heads and six legs."" These people had "very light skin, much lighter than ours,"" and carried weapons, which created a noise that "weakened and dizzied one.