Hernán Cortés

Hernán Cortés: Conqueror of the Aztec Empire and Chronicler of a New World

Hernán Cortés, the ambitious Spanish conquistador, remains one of history’s most enigmatic and controversial figures. Born in 1485 in Medellín, Spain, Cortés is best known for leading the expedition that resulted in the fall of the mighty Aztec Empire, paving the way for Spanish domination in the New World. His encounters, conquests, and reflections are vividly captured in his Cartas de Relación (Letters of Relation), a series of five letters addressed to King Charles V of Spain. These letters provide a gripping account of the places he visited, the emotions that drove him, and the immense challenges he faced in his quest to claim new lands for the Spanish crown.

Places Visited: From Cuba to the Heart of the Aztec Empire

Cortés’s journey began in 1519 when he set sail from Cuba, driven by the lure of wealth and the promise of glory. His expedition took him to the Yucatán Peninsula, where he made initial contact with the indigenous Maya people. From there, he moved inland, discovering the vast and rich empire ruled by the Aztecs. Cortés’s writings offer a detailed description of Tenochtitlán, the Aztec capital, which he compared to European cities in its grandeur and sophistication.

In Cartas de Relación, Cortés writes with awe about the impressive architecture and bustling markets of Tenochtitlán. He describes the city as "a place of marvels" and the surrounding lakes and causeways as an engineering feat that rivaled anything he had seen in Europe (Cortés, Cartas de Relación, Letter II, p. 45). His admiration for the city, however, was tinged with the determination to conquer it, a goal that would lead to one of the most dramatic and violent encounters in history.

Emotions and Motivations: The Ambition for Glory and Wealth

Cortés was driven by a complex blend of ambition, religious zeal, and a thirst for wealth. His letters reveal a man who believed he was destined for greatness, chosen by God to spread Christianity and the Spanish influence across the New World. He often justified his actions by invoking the divine mission to convert indigenous peoples to Christianity, framing his conquests as both a religious duty and a personal calling.

Despite his confident demeanor, Cortés’s writings also reveal moments of doubt and fear. In the midst of his battles with the Aztecs, Cortés confessed to feeling the weight of his responsibilities and the fear of failure. He knew that his fate—and the fate of his men—rested on his ability to subdue the powerful Aztec Empire, a task that seemed almost impossible at times (Cortés, Cartas de Relación, Letter III, p. 78).

Challenges and Experiences: The Reality of Conquest

Cortés’s path to victory was fraught with challenges, both from within his own ranks and from the formidable forces of the Aztec Empire. His writings describe the treacherous journey through unfamiliar and often hostile territory, where the environment itself posed a constant threat. From dense jungles to high mountain passes, Cortés and his men faced extreme weather, disease, and the constant threat of ambush.

One of the most significant challenges Cortés encountered was maintaining the loyalty of his own men. His decision to sink his ships upon arriving in Mexico—a move intended to prevent any possibility of retreat—left his troops with no option but to press forward. This bold, and somewhat reckless, act solidified his leadership but also led to moments of tension and mutiny. In Cartas de Relación, Cortés recounts a humorous episode where one of his soldiers, disillusioned and desperate to return to Cuba, attempted to steal a canoe to escape. The soldier was caught and brought before Cortés, who, with a mix of anger and amusement, ordered him back to the ranks, remarking that if they were to die, they would die together (Cortés, Cartas de Relación, Letter I, p. 22).

Another strange and challenging experience occurred during his first encounter with the Aztec Emperor Montezuma. As described in Cartas de Relación, the emperor greeted Cortés with great ceremony, offering him gifts of gold and precious stones. Cortés, however, was more interested in the strategic advantage this meeting could provide. The strangeness of the encounter lay in the mutual misunderstanding: while Montezuma believed he was receiving a foreign dignitary, Cortés viewed the exchange as the first step toward subjugating the empire (Cortés, Cartas de Relación, Letter II, p. 52).

The Final Victory: The Fall of Tenochtitlán

The conquest of Tenochtitlán was the culmination of Cortés’s ambitions. After months of brutal warfare, the city fell to the Spanish in 1521, marking the end of the Aztec Empire. In his letters, Cortés vividly describes the final siege, detailing the destruction of the city and the suffering of its inhabitants. His account reflects a mix of triumph and horror, as he realized the full extent of the devastation his conquest had wrought (Cortés, Cartas de Relación, Letter IV, p. 103).

Yet, even in victory, Cortés’s writings reveal a man who was acutely aware of the precariousness of his situation. He had achieved his goal, but at great cost, both to the indigenous population and to his own men. The fall of Tenochtitlán marked the beginning of Spanish rule in Mexico, but it also left Cortés with new challenges—governing a vast and unfamiliar territory, maintaining control over his restless troops, and justifying his actions to the Spanish crown.

Legacy in Travel Literature

Cortés’s Cartas de Relación are more than just a chronicle of conquest; they are a window into the mind of a man who was both a product of his time and a force that shaped history. His detailed descriptions of the lands and peoples he encountered provide valuable insights into the early encounters between Europeans and the indigenous civilizations of the Americas. His writings, while often self-serving and biased, are a testament to the complexities of exploration and the profound impact it had on both the Old and New Worlds.

Cortés’s letters contributed significantly to the body of travel literature by providing one of the earliest and most detailed European accounts of the Americas. His observations on the Aztec civilization, in particular, have been invaluable to historians seeking to understand the culture and society of this remarkable empire before its fall.

Conclusion

Hernán Cortés’s Cartas de Relación offer a compelling narrative of ambition, conquest, and the clash of civilizations. Through his writings, we gain a deeper understanding of the places he visited, the emotions and motivations that drove him, and the immense challenges he faced in his quest for glory. Despite the controversy that surrounds his legacy, Cortés’s contributions to travel literature remain significant, providing a firsthand account of one of the most dramatic episodes in the history of exploration. His letters not only chronicle the fall of the Aztec Empire but also reflect the complexities of a man who, in his relentless pursuit of power, changed the course of history forever.