CONQUISTADORS: WHO WAS THE GOD FROM THE SEA? HOW DID THE CONQUISTADORS DEFEAT SO MANY PEOPLE? WHO KILLED THE INCA EMPEROR? BIOGRAPHY: HERNÁN CORTES 1485–1547 EL DORADO In the 16th century, Central and South America were invaded by Spanish soldiers called conquistadors, who overthrew the Aztec and Inca empires. Many went in search of a rich land called EL DORADO. WHO WAS THE GOD FROM THE SEA? In 1517, Aztec spies saw conquistadors on the coast and relayed news of these pale, bearded strangers to Emperor Moctezuma II. He believed that their arrival marked the return of a long-departed god and king called Quetzalcoatl. HOW DID THE CONQUISTADORS DEFEAT SO MANY PEOPLE? The conquistadors were few in number, but they had ships, horses, armor, and deadly firearms. In Mexico they increased their numbers by joining up with native peoples rebelling against Aztec rule. WHO KILLED THE INCA EMPEROR? In 1532, a band of conquistadors led by Francisco Pizarro met the Inca emperor Atahualpa. They tricked him into being captured, and demanded a vast ransom of silver and gold for his release. It was paid, but in 1533 they executed him anyway. BIOGRAPHY: HERNÁN CORTES 1485–1547 Cortés was born in Spain. In 1518 he was given command of a force of 550 soldiers. He landed in Mexico, and reached the Aztec capital in 1519. He was greeted peacefully, but soon there was bitter fighting. In 1521 Cortés destroyed the city, and in 1522 he became the Spanish governor of this newly conquered land. EL DORADO El Dorado means “the golden one”—it is the Spanish name for a mythical land in South America, said to be rich in gold beyond all dreams. WHY DID THE CONQUISTADORS SEEK EL DORADO? Conquistadors were often brave, but they were also quarrelsome and violent, driven by a desperate desire for gold and power. Many died in remote jungles, still vainly searching for the riches of El Dorado.