Answer
The Aztec Empire, once a mighty civilization in Mesoamerica, fell to the Spanish conquistadors led by Hernán Cortés in the early 16th century. La Malinche, also known as Malintzin or Doña Marina, played a pivotal role in this conquest. As an interpreter, cultural mediator, and advisor to Cortés, her knowledge of the indigenous languages, customs, and political alliances proved invaluable.