-
He was born in medellin, Espana in 1485
-
In 1499 Hernan went away to get a higher education. Historians believe he studied Latin and law.
-
In 1506 Cortes worked with the governor of Hispaniola, who took Cortes on a conquest of Cuba. Cortes was rewarded with land and slaves.
-
1518 Diego Valasquez named Cortes the captain of an expedition to Mexico. After a fight, though, he revoked Cortes' status.
-
November 1519 The Aztec people tried to appease Cortes by giving him gold and other treasures. Cortes didn't trust the people, though, and he took Montezuma hostage.
-
July 1520 When Montezuma couldn't get the Aztecs to accept Cortes as their leader, Cortes had Montezuma killed.
-
1521 With Montezuma dead, Cortes took over the Aztec's capital city. It was the end of the Aztec Empire.
-
In 1528 Cortez returned to spain. He did this to prove his innocence. He was captured then released.
-
1530 Cortes was freed from the charges and returned to Mexico, although the king had demoted him from governor.
-
In 1567 Hernan Cortes died at the age of 62. In his later life he was mostly ignored and barely respected. He left a legacy of a great explorer, but also of a man full of greed.
