Cortes, often referred to as Hernán Cortés, was a Spanish conquistador known for leading the expedition that resulted in the fall of the Aztec Empire in the early 16th century. Born in 1485 in Medellín, Spain, he played a crucial role in the Spanish colonization of the Americas. His journey began in 1519 when he landed on the coast of present-day Mexico and eventually marched inland to the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlán. Cortes is a controversial figure in history, celebrated for his military prowess but criticized for his role in the destruction of indigenous cultures. His encounters with the Aztecs, particularly with their leader Moctezuma II, led to significant changes in the region