Hernan Cortes was a Spanish conquistador born in 1485 in Medellín, Spain. He is best known for leading the expedition that resulted in the fall of the Aztec Empire in 1521. Cortes played a crucial role in the Spanish colonization of the Americas and is often credited with opening up Mexico to European exploration and settlement. Cortes arrived in Mexico in 1519, where he encountered the Aztec ruler Moctezuma II. Through a combination of military strategy, alliances with local tribes, and the spread of diseases like smallpox, Cortes and his forces were able to defeat the Aztecs. His actions significantly impacted the history and culture of the region.