Final answer:
Conquistadores were largely inspired by the promise of gold and riches to explore the Americas. Figures like Columbus, Cortés, and Pizarro embarked on their journeys with the hope of finding wealth and establishing their legacies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Many conquistadores were inspired by tales of gold and riches and volunteered to explore the Americas. The exploration of the New World was fueled by the Spanish conquistadors' relentless quest for wealth and status.
These explorers, such as Christopher Columbus, Hernán Cortés, and Francisco Pizarro, were drawn by the potential of discovering vast amounts of gold and silver, which was evident from Columbus's descriptions and the legendary mountain of Potosí reputed to be made of silver.
Beyond material wealth, the allure of adventure, establishing strategic alliances, and spreading religious beliefs also played a crucial role in encouraging Spanish exploration and conquest in the Americas throughout the 16th century.