Hernán Cortés's Journey

Hernán Cortés, a Spanish Conquistador, landed his name in history as the first explorer to encounter, what is now known as, the Aztec Empire. Cortés was born in 1485 in the town of Medellin, Spain. Growing up, he had little wealth, but had honor, which was said to be a rare trait during that time. Those around him respected his family for goodness and piety. The Cortés family took pride in being honorable in everything that they set out to do. However, as Cortés grew with age, “he was a source of trouble to his parents as well as to himself, for he was restless, haughty, mischievous, and given to quarrelling, for which reason he decided to seek his fortune” (Simpson 8). With the spark he had gained for adventure and seeking out trouble, he …show more content…
In awe, Cortés saw the Mayan pyramids for the first time. Cortés went to talk to the people of the island and he became lucky once he heard of a man on the next-door island who was shipwrecked near Jamaica in 1511. Geronimo de Aguilar would become Cortés’ personal translator who could communicate with the Mayan people. However, as he continued his journey down the tip of Yucatan, he stopped at Potonchan. The natives greeted him with food and a gold mask. With giving Cortés the mask, they told him without hesitation, “We have no more gold – you will be killed if you do not leave” (Wood 26). Cortés didn’t believe the people. He had seen the gold they offered and knew they were hiding more. The greed took over and his men had driven away the 400 Indian warriors in order to search their land. In order to calm the peace, the Indians gave the Spanish more gifts in hopes they would soon leave. One of the women Cortés met was named Malinali, or Malinche. She spoke both Mayan and Nahuatl. Cortés was beyond exciting knowing he had two translators. Aguilar would speak with the Mayans and Malinali would speak to the Mexicans. Cortés would have these people quench his thirst for gold and receive it quicker than he