Francisco Pizarro (1478-1541) was a Spanish conquistador who traveled through much of the Pacific coast of America along Peru. He "discovered" the Incan empire and conquered it brutally and quickly, stealing immense hoards of gold, silver, and other treasures.

The Spanish later claimed that Montezuma was wounded and died of his injuries.

At the end of December 1520, Cortés' army moved toward Tenochtitlán; the boats followed later, transported in pieces overland by 8,000 native carriers.