I am studying one of the most famous explorers, Francisco Pizarro, the discoverer of the Inca Empire.  The exact year he was born is a mystery that hasn't been unfolded but we do know that he was born between 1470-1475, and was murdered in 1541.

              His home country is Trujillo, Spain which is today a very fine city.  He grew up a typical pig farmer.  Later in life he became a well known soldier but soon decided to explore the new world instead.  He started his new hobby of exploring by joining the expedition led by Balboa.  The after he gained experience, Pizarro decided to lead his own voyage into the unknown.
Pizarro was given permission and supported financially by King Charles I.  Then he and his 60 men set out on the route that Pizarro thought would lead to the rich lands beyond those of Panama.  When they reached a land of luxury and greenery they were greeted by natives who told them there was a land full of riches just a short sail away. After that 47 of Pizarro's men decided to settle in the luxurious land, 13 went with Pizarro. Their first route led them to a small swampy coast where a plague drove them out.  Their second route however was a success!  They went from Panama to Tumbez, to a place near Lima recruiting many new soldiers along the way. On their final stop they found what they were looking for and were welcomed into the land by the local natives.

          After the Inca emperor did not except the Christian religion that Pizarro and his men offered, battle broke out. Pizarro and his men fought mercilessly, killing thousands of natives and capturing the Emperor Atahualpa in less than 30 minutes.  The helpless Emperor tried to win his freedom by filling one room with gold artwork and one with silver artwork made by the talented Incas, but Pizarro did not keep his promise of setting Atahualpa free.  Pizarro and his men gave Atahualpa a choice the next day, if he accepted the Christian religion he would be hung instead of burned.  Atahualpa agreed to convert and was then hung.  Pizarro then melted the precious Inca artwork into bars for ease of shipment back to Spain.  After that they headed to conquer the Inca capital of Cuzco.  Without their leader the Inca's city soon fell to it's knees.  That is why Pizarro is one of the most famous explorers known to man.


    Francisco Pizarro

    born: between 1470-1475
    died: 1541
    lived: Trujillo, Spain


    Streissguth, Thomas. Francisco Pizarro. Boubel,  John, Ph.D, Minnesota, 2004
    Zronik, John. Francisco Pizarro: Journeys through Peru and South America. Crabtree Publishing, U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, 2005 


    August 2010



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