Francisco Pizarro
Francisco Pizarro was a Spanish conquistador, best known for his expeditions that led to the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire. Here are key aspects of his life and legacy:
Early Life
- Born circa 1471-1478 in Trujillo, Spain, Pizarro's exact birth date is uncertain.
- He was an illegitimate child of Gonzalo Pizarro Rodríguez de Aguilar, a colonel of infantry, and Francisca González Mateos, a woman of humble origins.
Exploration and Conquest
- Pizarro joined the expedition of Vasco Núñez de Balboa in 1513, which led to the European discovery of the Pacific Ocean.
- In 1524, Pizarro embarked on his first voyage to explore the western coast of South America, but this and subsequent trips were not immediately successful.
- After gaining the support of the Spanish Crown through the Capitulación de Toledo in 1529, he made a third expedition in 1531, which resulted in the conquest of the Inca Empire.
- The capture of the Inca emperor, Atahualpa, at the Battle of Cajamarca in 1532 was a pivotal moment. Despite Atahualpa's ransom payment, Pizarro had him executed in 1533.
- Pizarro established the city of Lima in 1535, which he designated as the capital of Peru.
Later Years and Death
- Pizarro faced ongoing conflicts with other Spanish conquistadors, notably Diego de Almagro and his followers, over the spoils of the conquered empire.
- In 1541, Pizarro was assassinated in Lima by followers of Almagro's son, Diego de Almagro the Younger, due to power struggles.
Legacy
- Pizarro's actions led to the rapid fall of the Inca Empire, marking the beginning of Spanish colonial rule in Peru and the broader Andes region.
- His methods and the subsequent exploitation of the indigenous populations are often subjects of ethical debate.
- The city of Lima, which he founded, remains the capital of Peru to this day.
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