Cortes, Hernando

[person]

(1485 – December 2, 1547) Spanish conquistador. In the early 16th century, he led the expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire, bringing much of mainland Mexico under the rule of the King of Castile. Cortes used the very effective strategy of making allies with some of the native tribes, and using these allies to attack other native tribes. The King of Castile awarded Cortes the title of Marqués del Valle de Oaxaca for his success in overthrowing the Aztec Empire.