Historical Encyclopedia
Francisco Pizarro (1476–1541) was a Spanish conquistador who played a key role in the conquest of the Inca Empire in South America. He was born in Trujillo, Spain, into a family of lower nobility and spent his youth seeking adventure and wealth.
According to historical accounts, Pizarro was born out of wedlock, which hindered him from receiving a good education. In his youth, he served in the army and participated in various expeditions, including a journey to the Canary Islands. His desire to become rich and famous prompted him to travel to the New World.
In 1502, Pizarro arrived on the island of Hispaniola, where he began his career as a conquistador. In 1513, he took part in Vasco Núñez de Balboa's expedition, who was the first to see the Pacific Ocean. Pizarro was impressed by the wealth he encountered and dreamed of conquering the lands of the Incas.
In 1531, Pizarro began his own expedition to Peru. He gathered a small army of about 180 Spanish soldiers and several Indians. Pizarro knew that the Incas were divided by internal conflicts, which gave him a chance for a successful conquest.
Pizarro managed to capture Emperor Atahualpa in 1532 in the city of Cajamarca. Following this, he demanded a ransom for the emperor's life, collecting immense wealth in gold and silver. Despite receiving the ransom, Pizarro executed Atahualpa, leading to the complete destruction of the Inca civilization.
After the fall of the Inca Empire, Pizarro founded the city of Lima in 1535, which became the capital of the Spanish colony in Peru. He developed plans for colonization and the utilization of resources in the new region, but his rule was not without conflicts. Internal strife and power struggles with other conquistadors and local inhabitants became a constant part of his life.
Pizarro faced numerous conflicts, including confrontations with other Spanish colonists, such as Diego Almagro. In 1538, an open war broke out between them, resulting in severe consequences for both sides. Almagro was executed, but this only exacerbated the internal strife.
In 1541, Pizarro was killed by Almagro's avengers in his own home in Lima. His death became a symbol of the destruction and chaos that engulfed the colony after his conquests.
Francisco Pizarro remains one of the most controversial figures in history. On one hand, he brought Spanish culture and Christianity to South America, while on the other hand, his actions led to the destruction of the Inca civilization and numerous tragedies for the indigenous peoples.
Pizarro's legacy includes both negative and positive aspects. He left behind a rich heritage that continues to be studied by historians and researchers. Pizarro is a symbol of colonization that evokes both admiration and condemnation.
Francisco Pizarro is a figure that embodies the spirit of his time, when the pursuit of wealth and power led to devastating consequences. His life and deeds provoke much debate and discussion about the morality and ethics of colonization, as well as how history is shaped by individual personalities.