Which Historical Conqueror Are You?

Cortés was a Spanish conquistador (soldier and explorer) who conquered the vast Aztec empire in central America.

Hernán (or Hernando) Cortés was born in 1485 in Medellín, western Spain. He initially studied law but left university to make his fortune in the Americas.

In 1504 he sailed for Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), moving to Cuba in 1511 where he assisted Diego Velázquez in his conquest of the island and made his reputation for courage and daring.

In 1518 Cortés persuaded Velázquez, who was now governor, to make him commander of an expedition to Mexico. It had only recently been discovered by Europeans and was rumoured to contain great wealth.

Shortly before Cortés set sail, Velázquez, who was now suspicious of his motives, cancelled his commission. Cortés ignored Velázquez and set out. On arrival he established a settlement (now Veracruz) and made local allies.

The major civilisation in the region was that of the Aztecs, led by Montezuma II. Cortés headed for the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlán, which was a three-month journey over difficult terrain. It is thought that Cortés’ arrival coincided with an Aztec prophecy about a white-skinned god arriving from the east, which would explain why Montezuma welcomed Cortés and gave him lavish gifts. However, relations quickly deteriorated and, fearing an attack, Cortés took Montezuma hostage, demanding a huge ransom from his people.

In April 1520, Velázquez sent an expedition to capture Cortés. As Cortés left to fight the expedition, an Aztec revolt began in Tenochtitlán. Cortés returned and obliged Montezuma to face the crowd, but the Aztec leader was struck by a stone and died. The Spanish were driven out of the city, incurring heavy losses.

Cortés re-organised his forces and in 1521 returned to Tenochtitlán, which fell after a three-month siege. A new settlement, Mexico City, was built on the ruins and settled with Spanish colonists, becoming the centre of Spanish America. Cortés secured control over Mexico, inflicting great cruelty on the indigenous population. Western diseases such as smallpox also caused huge fatalities.

In 1523 Cortés was named governor and captain general of New Spain. In 1528, amid Spanish fears that he was becoming too powerful, he was forced to return to Spain where the king reinstated him as captain general, but not to the position of civil governor. On his return to Mexico, his powers were significantly limited and his activities monitored. He continued to explore Central America, hoping to find a strait from the Atlantic to the Pacific. He failed, instead discovering, and naming, California.

In 1541, Cortés returned to Spain an embittered man and retired to an estate near Seville where he died on 2 December 1547.

Eilzel wrote:I am jealous now, I've just read a book about Cortes FtL and it was well exciting. He was as much an opportunist though as a great conqueror, and very lucky too. But one of the most important men in the history of the New World no doubt x

Original Quill wrote:FTL...have you never heard of the Cortés Banks, in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego?  Great mid-oceanic surfing.

Ben_Reilly wrote:You got: Julius Caesar
You command respect from everyone around you. No one is better at getting out of tight situations. People who don’t like you look at you with envy. It doesn’t matter. Your name will be remembered for years to come.

captainJane wrote:Which Historical Conqueror Are You?    
You got: Sun Tzu    
You are supremely wise, patient, and above all, an astute observer. Your wisdom is renowned the world over. When it comes to solving problems, you tend to think deeply rather than rush to action.

Sassy wrote:You got: William the Conqueror
First of all, your name has the word “conqueror” in it. That rules. You obviously know what it takes to get want you want. You are willing to work hard to succeed, and once success is achieved, you work even harder to maintain it. No one ever became a “Conqueror” by being lazy.



Snap Scrat!

scrat wrote:

Sassy wrote:You got: William the Conqueror
First of all, your name has the word “conqueror” in it. That rules. You obviously know what it takes to get want you want. You are willing to work hard to succeed, and once success is achieved, you work even harder to maintain it. No one ever became a “Conqueror” by being lazy.



Snap Scrat!

Great minds think alike, Sassy!

Lone Wolf wrote: 

Mr. Sun's "The Art of War" is available online as a free download..

I've had a copy of it on my computer(s) for a while now.    

Original Quill wrote:Haha, most of it is self-evident and obvious.  But it must have been kinda sensational when he wrote it down.

It's kind of like Machiavelli...takes you back for all its bluntness and candor.

Original Quill wrote:Haha, most of it is self-evident and obvious.  But it must have been kinda sensational when he wrote it down.

It's kind of like Machiavelli...takes you back for all its bluntness and candor.

Ben_Reilly wrote:

Original Quill wrote:Haha, most of it is self-evident and obvious.  But it must have been kinda sensational when he wrote it down.

It's kind of like Machiavelli...takes you back for all its bluntness and candor.

And what kills me is that at least, I've heard The Prince was supposed to be satire ...   

Cass wrote:Atilla the Hun



phooey I wanted Vlad.


the meat question was NOT fair.....how can I possibly choose between brisket,  sausages, ham AND bacon......I want them ALL

veya_victaous wrote:

Cass wrote:Atilla the Hun



phooey I wanted Vlad.


the meat question was NOT fair.....how can I possibly choose between brisket,  sausages, ham AND bacon......I want them ALL

Yeah they all looked good   

Atilla is Better I think

Vlad while fearsome is not really a conqueror.   

Cass wrote:
Atilla the Hun



...........................

Cass wrote:Atilla the Hun



phooey I wanted Vlad.


the meat question was NOT fair.....how can I possibly choose between brisket,  sausages, ham AND bacon......I want them ALL

Lone Wolf wrote:

Cass wrote:
Atilla the Hun



...........................

 
 

SAME as little ol' moi...

 :::cass:::