When Hernán Cortés and his expedition of only 500 men left Cuba to explore the interior of Mexico, the thought of the ruling Aztec Empire falling was unthinkable. Yet despite his many shortcomings, Cortés managed to overthrow the largest empire in the region and begin the colonisation of the land that would last for several hundred years. Through the use of his military strategies and tactics to remain in control of his expedition, to the importance of his translator La Malinche, Cortés used every possible advantage he could to ensure his success. This website aims to explain how Cortés was so successful focusing on his personal abilities as well the wider political situation of the area.