Hernando Cortes was a man born in Medellin, Spain, and was born in 1485. Hernando was always wealthy and was born into the royal family. He was a very exciting man; at the age of 19 he joined Diego Velazquez and Nicola de Ovando on their travels to the new world. He also conquered the Aztec civilization. His father was in the army and he followed in his father's footsteps. Hernando lived a normal life, dying at the age of 62 in 1547. Cortes' birth into nobility meant that he trained in the military, horseback riding, hunting, and sword fighting. The arts of history, science, religion, mathematics, and being a gentleman were also taught. At the age of 14 Cortes was sent to Salamanca to study law. But shortly thereafter he left to pursue his passion for adventure and wealth. This then led Cortes to conquer central and southern Mexico, making him the greatest Spanish conqueror in the Americas. Cortes' success led to 300 years of Spanish rule over these areas. In 1504 Cortes sailed to Hispaniola, which is now the Dominican Republic, and Haiti, in the West Indies. Here he fought battles with the Indians and also developed some businesses there. Velazquez, with whom Cortes sailed in 1511, became governor of Cuba. Soon after, Velazquez learned of a rich Indian empire in Mexico and chose Cortes to lead his fleet. They were there to get gold and land. Velazquez soon became suspicious of Cortes and tried to remove him as leader, but Cortes became angry and set sail anyway. He took with him all 11 ships, 600 men and 20 horses. Along the way many Indians joined him on his journey because they did not like the Aztecs. Cortes reached Tenochtitlan in November 1519. The Aztec leader was Montezuma and he greeted them ...... middle of paper ...... arc, January 1, 2008. Web. November 05, 2013.2008, "Cortés, Hernán." International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences., "Hernán Cortés." Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2004, BROWN, KENDALL W., "Cortes, Hernán (1485–1547)." The Renaissance. 2008, "Cortés, Hernán." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th edition. 2013, "Cortés, Hernán." World encyclopedia. 2005 and ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Cortés, Hernan." Enciclopedia.com. HighBeam Research, 01 January 2008. Web. 05 November 2013.2008, "Cortés, Hernán." International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences., "Hernán Cortés." Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2004, BROWN, KENDALL W., "Cortes, Hernán (1485–1547)." The Renaissance. 2008, "Cortés, Hernán." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th edition. 2013, "Cortés, Hernán." World encyclopedia. 2005 and ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Cortés, Hernan." Enciclopedia.com. HighBeam Research, 01 January 2008. Web. 05 November. 2013.