Birth:
- Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro Altamirano was born around 1485 (some historians suggest 1483) in Medellín, Spain, then part of the Kingdom of Castile.
Family:
- Son of Martín Cortés de Monroy, a minor nobleman, and Catalina Pizarro Altamirano.
- Had several siblings, but not much is known about them.
Education:
- Received limited formal education, focusing primarily on practical subjects like math, navigation, and military science. He showed no particular affinity for the humanities or academia.
Family Legacy:
- Distantly related to explorer Francisco Pizarro, who later conquered the Inca Empire in South America.
Early Career:
- Enticed by stories of conquests in the New World, he joined various military campaigns in Europe and North Africa, seeking adventure and fortune.
Reputation:
- Known for his charisma, ambition, and military prowess since his early endeavors.
- Possessed natural leadership abilities that would serve him well throughout his extraordinary achievements in the Aztec conquest.