Hernán Cortés
At a glance:
- Series: Dictionary of World Biography: Renaissance
- Categories: Military History, Land Acquisition and Expansion, Territory Redistribution, Discovery, Exploration, Geography
- Subcategories: Colonialism, Colonies, Settlements, Invasions, Raids, Conquests, Sieges, Ships, Naval History, Explorers
- Curriculum: Renaissance History, American Pre-Colonial History (to 1606), Spanish/Portuguese History
Article abstract: Cortés skillfully led a small band of Spaniards and numerous Indian allies to the heart of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán (later Mexico City), and within two years he boldly conquered the powerful Aztec Empire. His most lasting contribution has been to western exploration and conquest of the New World.
Early Life
Hernán Cortés came from a Spanish region, Extremadura, where so many of the New World conquistadors originated. Although Cortés was born into a Spanish noble (Hidalgo) family, his parents—Martín Cortés de Monroy, an...
[The entire page is 2613 words long]
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