The myth of La Malinche is thought to have evolved from the story of Dona Marina, or La Malinche¹ Dona Marina was the indigenous woman who was enslaved by the Mayas and given to Hernán Cortés during the Spanish Conquest of Mexico (1519–21). She served as his interpreter, and later bore his son, Martin, who is considered by many to be the first Mexican. Official Mexican narrative depicts Dona Marina as a traitor, and is blamed by many for the fall of the Aztecs and the success of the Spanish Conquest. Other Mexicans, however, consider her a brilliant woman who has been unjustly maligned for the purpose of nation-building by fabricating a false "Aztec identity".