Francisco Pizarro | Biography

• By Stone Palmer
• Original : January 16, 2025

Who is Francisco Pizarro?

Francisco Pizarro was a notable Spanish conquistador born circa 1476 in Trujillo, Spain. He emerged from humble beginnings, having been an illegitimate child raised by a poor farmer. Despite a lack of formal education, Pizarro was driven by aspirations of wealth and adventure, ultimately leading him to the New World. In 1513, he joined Vasco Núñez de Balboa on his famed march across the Isthmus of Panama, where they famously discovered the Pacific Ocean. This period marked the beginning of Pizarro's significant role in exploring and conquering territories in South America.

In the ensuing years, Pizarro led expeditions that would reshape the continent. By 1528, he obtained a commission from Emperor Charles V to conquer the southern territories, focusing primarily on Peru. Pizarro successfully overthrew the Inca leader Atahualpa in 1532, paving the way for Spanish dominance in the region. He would go on to establish Lima as the new capital of Peru just three years later. However, the internal strife among conquistadors led to his eventual assassination on June 26, 1541, in Lima, as members of a rival faction sought revenge for earlier conflicts.

Early Life and Education

Francisco Pizarro was born circa 1476 in Trujillo, Spain, into a life of hardship as the illegitimate son of Captain Gonzalo Pizarro, a poor farmer, and Francisca González, a woman of humble origins. Growing up in an environment marked by poverty, he did not receive a formal education and was unable to read or write. Instead, he spent his early years working as a shepherd, herding pigs on his father's meager farm. This lack of educational opportunities did not deter Pizarro's aspirations; rather, it instilled in him a strong desire for adventure and wealth.

From an early age, Pizarro was fascinated by tales of the New World, an untamed land where riches awaited those brave enough to claim them. This fascination compelled him to seek out opportunities for exploration. His first significant venture came in 1510 when he joined the expedition of Spanish explorer Alonzo de Ojeda to Urabá, Colombia. Although that voyage did not yield great success, it set the stage for Pizarro's future in exploration and conquest, as he displayed great resilience and resourcefulness, traits that would become invaluable in his later endeavors in South America.

March to the Sea

In 1513, Francisco Pizarro made a significant mark on history by joining explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa in an expedition across the Isthmus of Panama, a monumental journey that led to the discovery of the Pacific Ocean. Despite Balboa receiving primary credit for the sighting, Pizarro's participation was pivotal. This march to the "South Sea" not only revealed the vastness of the Pacific but also ignited Pizarro's ambition for conquest and exploration. The expedition showcased Pizarro's resilience and capability as a reliable figure in high-pressure situations, paving the way for his future endeavors in the New World.

Following the arrival at the Pacific, Pizarro's life took a dramatic turn. He was involved in the tumultuous politics of the time, notably when he arrested Balboa on orders from Pedro Arias de Ávila, reflecting the power struggles among conquistadors. After Balboa's downfall, Pizarro established himself in Panama, where he accumulated wealth and influence, earning respect and recognition. His experiences during this early exploration foreshadowed his later actions as he set his sights on the riches of the Inca Empire, which would ultimately lead to his legendary conquest of Peru.

Reconnaissance Voyages and Notable Conquest

Francisco Pizarro's journey toward becoming one of the most infamous conquistadors began with his reconnaissance voyages in the early 1520s. In 1524, he joined forces with navigator Diego de Almagro and priest Fernando de Luque, embarking on initial exploratory missions toward the San Juan River. These voyages were crucial for Pizarro, as they allowed him to assess the valuable resources and indigenous populations of the regions to the south. His chief navigator, Bartolomé Ruiz, played a pivotal role in these explorations, returning with reports that would set the stage for Pizarro’s monumental undertakings in the years to come.

In 1532, driven by the opportunities revealed during his previous expeditions, Pizarro successfully overthrew the Inca Empire, capturing its leader Atahualpa. This marked a significant turning point in the history of Spanish exploration and conquest. With the Inca’s defeat, Pizarro established control over a vast territory rich in resources, which he then sought to exploit for Spain. Just three years later, he founded the city of Lima, creating a new colonial capital that would serve as a base for Spanish governance in the region. Pizarro’s conquest not only expanded the Spanish Empire but also initiated a tumultuous period marked by conflict and competition among the conquistadors.

Conquering Peru and Death

In 1532, Francisco Pizarro realized his ambitions by leading an expedition that culminated in the overthrow of the Inca leader Atahualpa. This marked a pivotal moment in the Spanish conquest of Peru. Pizarro's strategy involved a mix of military might and deceit; he captured Atahualpa during a surprise attack and later held him for ransom. The Spaniards received a vast amount of gold in exchange for Atahualpa's release. However, Pizarro executed the Inca leader anyway, which not only showcased his ruthlessness but also precipitated the collapse of the Inca Empire, paving the way for Spanish domination in the region.

Following the conquest, Pizarro founded Lima in 1535, establishing it as the new capital of the Spanish Empire in South America. His reign in Peru was not without strife, as conflict soon erupted between loyalists and rival factions of conquistadors. Tensions flared into violent confrontations, reflecting the growing divides among the Spanish in the region. After a series of battles, including the notable Battle of Las Salinas in 1538, Pizarro's faction emerged victorious, but the victories were fleeting. On June 26, 1541, Pizarro was assassinated in Lima by supporters of his former ally, Diego de Almagro, highlighting the treacherous political landscape that characterized the early days of the Spanish conquest.

Personal Life: Married Life

Francisco Pizarro's married life is marked by significant contrasts and complexities, reflecting both his rise as a conquistador and his navigations through personal relationships. He married a woman named Inés Huaylas Yupanqui, who was a member of the Inca aristocracy. This union, forged during Pizarro’s conquest of Peru, not only provided him with social standing but also integrated him into the indigenous elite. Their relationship symbolized the merging of Spanish and Inca cultures, although it was not without its challenges, primarily due to the turbulent political landscape of the time.

Despite his marriage to Inés, Pizarro had numerous affairs and a string of relationships typical of many conquistadors. He often found himself drawn to women of high status, which further complicated his personal life. Pizarro's novel status as a powerful conqueror allowed him certain privileges, leading to connections with various influential figures. In fact, one of his most noted liaisons was with an indigenous woman named Aña, whose background further illustrated Pizarro's entanglement with indigenous power structures even after the conquest. The dynamics of Pizarro's relationships reflect an intersection of love, power, and the political complexities of 16th-century colonial life.

Net Worth and Earning: Earnings from Conquests

Francisco Pizarro amassed significant wealth through his conquests in the New World, particularly during his time in Peru. After overthrowing the Inca Empire in 1532, Pizarro seized vast amounts of gold and silver, which were plentiful in the region due to the Inca's rich mineral resources. Historical accounts suggest that he and his compatriots captured an extraordinary treasure hoard from the Inca leader Atahualpa, estimated to be worth millions in today’s currency. This wealth allowed Pizarro to establish himself as one of the most powerful figures in the Spanish colonies.

In addition to the immediate spoils of war, Pizarro's establishment of the new capital, Lima, further enhanced his financial standing and continued to fill his coffers. The city's strategic location and its role as the administrative center of the Spanish colonial holdings in South America increased trade and commerce. As a result, Pizarro benefited immensely from the growing economy of Lima, enhancing his net worth and solidifying his legacy as a prominent conquistador, albeit one whose life ended violently due to the tensions between rival factions of conquistadors.

FAQs

Who was Francisco Pizarro?

Francisco Pizarro was a Spanish conquistador known for his role in the conquest of Peru. Born around 1476 in Trujillo, Spain, he sailed to the New World, where he became a key figure in early Spanish exploration and colonization. Pizarro is best remembered for overthrowing the Inca ruler Atahualpa in 1532 and founding the city of Lima in 1535.

What were the early years of Francisco Pizarro like?

Pizarro was born to a poor farmer and grew up in poverty in Spain, without formal education. Instead of schooling, he tended to pigs on his father's farm. However, he felt a strong calling for adventure and wealth, leading him to join sailing expeditions to the New World. His early voyages laid the groundwork for his later conquests.

What significant expeditions did Pizarro undertake?

Pizarro's major expeditions included joining Vasco Núñez de Balboa in 1513, which led to the discovery of the Pacific Ocean. He later led several reconnaissance voyages along the South American coast, ultimately securing a commission from Emperor Charles V to conquer Peru, which he successfully achieved in 1532.

What was Pizarro's role in the conquest of the Inca Empire?

In 1532, Pizarro captured Inca Emperor Atahualpa during a meeting under the guise of negotiation. This strategic move significantly weakened the Inca Empire, which led to Pizarro's forces systematically overpowering the Inca strongholds. His leadership throughout this conflict was pivotal in establishing Spanish control over Peru.

How did Pizarro's life end?

Francisco Pizarro's life came to a violent end on June 26, 1541, when he was assassinated in Lima by members of a rival faction, seeking revenge for the earlier execution of Pizarro's former ally, Diego de Almagro. This assassination marked a significant turning point in the tumultuous power struggles of the conquistadors in the newly acquired territories.

What legacy did Pizarro leave behind?

Pizarro's legacy is mixed; he played a crucial role in Spain's colonization of South America, which brought immense wealth to Spain but also led to the decline of the indigenous cultures and societies. Lima, which he founded, remains a major city today, and his conquests changed the course of South American history.