Burning the Ships

Hernán Cortés, driven by an unquenchable thirst for success, stood at a pivotal crossroads in 1519.

He and his men, weathered by the relentless challenges of a perilous ocean voyage, had finally reached the shores of what would be known as Mexico. Cortés, fueled by a potent blend of personal ambition and a quest for glory, was acutely aware of the immense riches and potential power that lay within this uncharted land.

His eyes, reflecting a blend of weariness and unyielding determination, mirrored the ambitions of a man set on carving his name into the annals of history. The promise of wealth, the allure of political power, and the competitive spirit of the Age of Exploration coursed through his veins.

But Cortés’s men were exhausted and scared. Many of them wanted to return home.

That’s when Cortés ordered the ships burned.

Except, no. The ships weren’t actually burned at all; they were scuttled, or deliberately sunk instead. It’s a lot more dramatic to imagine them on fire, isn’t it?