Hernán Cortés grew up not as a noble family, but not poor either. He grew up, and decided he wanted to go and explore and live in the new world. When there, he heard of some natives ( the Aztecs ) who had massive power, and gold, riches, and other very expensive things. He wanted to go on a conquest. He sailed over to the new world with another captain, who was in charge of the entire expedition to the new world. The only problem was, the captain didn't approve of the conquest. When they docked, some natives (not the Aztecs) greeted them and gave them offerings. But later, Cortés took about 500 men to the area of current day Mexico. The main captain who was head, didn't want Cortéz to go on the conquest. So, without permission, Cortéz left the dock and sailed off. The Aztecs were located there in most of Mexico. They got to the island, and some of the Aztec villagers gave them gifts and offerings, believing they were gods. The king Montizuma, thought they were gods also, but didn't want them to come any closer. Montizuma sent them more offerings so they wouldn't come closer to the capital. But Cortéz and his men didn't stop. They wanted more. But some of his men wanted to go back, so Cortéz made a town and made himself in charge of it. So then he didn't have to answer to the other captain and could report just straight to the king. Later that night, he sneaked down to the boats and lit them on fire. That way, his men didn't go back. Then the rest is just almost legend. Hernán attacked with all his men, and tore through the Aztecs with swords, crossbows, cannons, and other weapons, better than Aztec's obsidian weapons. They won all the gold and riches owned by the Aztecs for Spain.