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Hernan Cortes was a Spanish explorer best known for his expedition to Mexico during 1519. Born in 1485 to an infantry captain with a notable ancestral line, he studied law and Latin at an early age. By the time he left school, news of Christopher Columbus's discoveries was circulating. Cortes moved to Santo Domingo when he was eighteen. He then spent the next couple of years building up his status and partaking in conquering various regions such as Cuba.

During his stay in Cuba he married a close relation to the governor in hopes of gaining political favor. The remainder of the time prior to his famous expedition was spent jockeying for position and rising through the local political ranks. Then the call came from the Governor of the colonies, Hernan Cortes was to explore and establish a small settlement in Mexico.

Cortes began his march in February 1519 by landing 600 men on the Yucatan Peninsula. By all historical accounts, Cortes' "march" should actually be referred to as an invasion, a slow invasion, but an invasion nonetheless. During this march Cortes and his men conquered many indigenous tribes or made them allies. Once he arrived at the capital he wasted no time capturing Montezuma and holding him hostage for gold and jewels. After he left with his newly acquired treasure the people of the Aztec nation overthrew Montezuma which led to the decline of the Aztecs. The mighty Aztec empire disappeared around 1523 due in part to Cortes' invasion. During that time Cortes personally governed Mexico for several years.

During his governance Cortes created possibly the biggest and most important European city in the New World, Mexico City. He destroyed the old Aztec city and left ruins in his path. He then started construction of Mexico City on top of the ruins of Aztec temples and buildings. His invasion route through Mexico was roughly 150 miles long, ending at the capital of the Aztec Empire, Tenochtitlan. During his march, he grew his army by thousands finding numerous allies along the way.

Cortes made two separate trips back to Spain to meet with Charles V to discuss his handling of New Spain. After spending several years in Spain after his second trip back, Cortes returned to Seville to retire. Shortly after reaching Seville Cortes was stricken with dysentery and died in 1547.

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