Hernán Cortés, the famed Spanish conquistador, had always dreamed of becoming the next Christopher Columbus. Little did he suspect that he would surpass his hero as he settled various islands and marched into the heart of Mexico to conquer the Aztec empire for Spain.
Cortés discovered more gold and riches than could be imagined in the New World, but greed soon became his driving passion. He killed his own men and thousands of native Americans in his quest for more. Although Cortés brought the mighty Montezuma II to his knees, even the king of Spain was unhappy with his cruelty. When Cortés demanded to be named governor of his settlement in New Spain, the king refused.
At the time of his death, Cortés was wealthy but alone and forgotten. He had conquered the New World but had been defeated by his own avarice.