1485-1547. Spanish conquistador. He overthrew
the Aztec empire 1519-21, and secured Mexico
for Spain. He went to the West Indies as a
young man, and in 1518 was given command of
an expedition to Mexico. Landing with only
600 men, he was at first received as a god by
the Aztec emperor Montezuma II, but was
finally expelled from Tenochtitlan (Mexico 
City) by a revolt. With the aid of Indian
allies he recaptured the city 1521, and 
overthrew the Aztec empire. His conquests
eventually included most of Mexico and
N Central America.