Who was the Spanish conquistador responsible for the fall of the Aztec Empire?

Hernán Cortés was the Spanish conquistador who played a pivotal role in the fall of the Aztec Empire in the early 16th century. He arrived in what is now Mexico in 1519, where he encountered the Aztec civilization led by Emperor Moctezuma II. Cortés's strategy involved forming alliances with local tribes who were enemies of the Aztecs, allowing him to build a sizable force to challenge the powerful empire.

Cortés's understanding of warfare, along with the use of superior weaponry, including firearms and horses, contributed significantly to the conquest. Additionally, the introduction of European diseases, like smallpox, devastated the native populations, weakening their resistance against the Spanish forces. By 1521, Cortés successfully captured Tenochtitlán, the capital of the Aztec Empire, leading to its eventual collapse.

The other individuals listed do not have the same association with the Aztec Empire; Francisco Pizarro is known for his conquest of the Inca Empire in South America, while Diego Velázquez was an important Spanish governor and explorer in Cuba. Cortés del Castillo seems to be a misnomer or a confusion with Hernán Cortés, as there is limited historical reference to that specific