francisco pizarro voyage discovery

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Francisco Pizarro

By: History.com Editors

Updated: June 6, 2023 | Original: November 9, 2009

francisco pizarro voyage discovery

Francisco Pizarro was an explorer, soldier and conquistador best known for conquering the Incas and executing their leader, Atahuapla. He was born around 1474 in Trujillo, Spain. As a soldier, he served on the 1513 expedition of Vasco Núñez de Balboa, during which he discovered the Pacific Ocean. The downfall of the Incan Empire paved the way for the colonization of Peru by Spain and the founding of its capital, Lima.

Francisco Pizarro: Early Life

Francisco Pizarro was born in 1474 in Trujillo, Spain. His father, Captain Gonzalo Pizarro, was a poor farmer. His mother, Francisca González, was also of low birth, and was not married to Pizarro’s father.

Tempted by tales of adventure in the New World, in 1510, Pizarro joined 300 settlers led by Alonso de Ojeda to establish a colony on the South American coast. They named the swampy colony in today’s Colombia “San Sebastian.” With food supplies running low, Ojeda left the colony to get supplies, leaving Pizarro in charge. Only 100 of the original 300 settlers survived the tropical heat and diseases in their new home, and the remaining survivors returned to Cartagena. In Cartagena, Pizarro joined forces with Vasco Núñez de Balboa to found a new colony, Darién, on the western side of the Gulf of Urabá. It became the first stable Spanish settlement on the South American continent.

In 1513, Pizarro acted as captain for Vasco Núñez de Balboa on the trip where Balboa became the first European to “discover” the Pacific Ocean.

The following year, Pedro Arias Dávila replaced Balboa as governor of Castilla de Oro. Dávila commanded Pizarro to arrest Balboa, his former associate, which Pizarro did. When Balboa was executed, Pizarro was rewarded handsomely for his loyalty to Dávila: From 1519 to 1523, Pizarro was the mayor of the newly founded town of Panamá and soon grew wealthy.

Pizarro Conquers Peru

Desirous of making his own discoveries, Pizarro formed a partnership with fellow soldier Diego de Almagro. From 1524-1525, then again from 1526-1528, he sailed with Almagro and a priest, Hernando de Luque, on voyages of discovery and conquest down the west coast of South America .

The first expedition failed, but in 1526, Pizarro arrived in Peru and heard stories of a great ruler and his riches in the mountains. He returned to get permission to claim the land for Spain.

King Charles of Spain agreed to Pizarro’s request and promised him that he would be governor of any lands he conquered. In 1531, Pizarro and his crew, including three of his half-brothers—Gonzalo, Hernando and Juan Pizarro—sailed from Panama. In November of 1532, Pizarro entered the city of Cajamarca, where Inca leader Atahuapla was celebrating his victory over his brother, Huáscar, in the Inca Civil War. Pizarro took Atahuapla hostage. Despite having paid a large ransom to spare his life, Atahuapla was killed in 1533. Pizarro then conquered Cuzco, another important Inca city, and founded the city of Lima, now the capital of Peru.

Death of Francisco Pizarro

Pizarro’s rivalry with Almagro led to conflict in 1537. Almagro had taken over Cuzco after one of Pizarro’s half-brothers, Juan Pizarro, was killed during a revolt. Pizarro did not want Almagro to have the city, but was too old to fight himself so he sent his brothers to Cuzco to fight. They defeated Almagro and killed him afterward. In retaliation, armed supporters of Almagro broke into Pizarro’s palace in Lima and assassinated him on June 26, 1541.

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Francisco Pizarro

Spanish explorer and conquistador Francisco Pizarro helped Vasco Núñez de Balboa discover the Pacific Ocean, and after conquering Peru, founded its capital city, Lima.

francisco pizarro

(1476-1541)

Who Was Francisco Pizarro?

Early years.

Pizarro was born an illegitimate child circa 1476, in Trujillo, Spain — an area stricken by poverty. His father, Captain Gonzalo Pizarro, was a poor farmer. His mother, Francisca González, was of humble heritage. Pizarro grew up without learning how to read. Instead, he herded his father's pigs.

As a young man, Pizarro heard tales of the New World and was seized by a lust for fortune and adventure. In 1510, he accompanied Spanish explorer Alonzo de Ojeda on a voyage to Urabá, Colombia. Although the expedition was unfruitful, Pizarro proved he could be relied on in a bind.

March to the Sea

In 1513, Pizarro joined conquistador Balboa in his march to the "South Sea," across the Isthmus of Panama. During their journey, Balboa and Pizarro discovered what is now known as the Pacific Ocean, although Balboa allegedly spied it first, and was therefore credited with the ocean's first European discovery.

Ironically, Pizarro later arrested Balboa under the orders of Pedro Arias de Ávila (also known as Pedrarias), Balboa's rival and a known tyrant. Afterward, Pizarro stayed in Panama for a time, where he was awarded an estate, served as mayor of Panama City and amassed a small fortune.

Reconnaissance Voyages

In 1524, Pizarro teamed up with navigator Diego de Almagro and a priest named Fernando de Luque. The first of their reconnaissance voyages went as far as the San Juan River. The next gave Pizarro the chance to explore further south along the coast. In the meantime, Pizarro's chief navigator, Bartolomé Ruiz, forged across the equator and then returned with word of those regions south of the equator.

Conquering Peru and Death

In 1528, Pizarro went back to Spain and managed to procure a commission from Emperor Charles V. Pizarro was to conquer the southern territory and establish a new Spanish province there. In 1532, accompanied by his brothers, Pizarro overthrew the Inca leader Atahualpa and conquered Peru. Three years later, he founded the new capital city of Lima.

Over time, tensions increasingly built up between the conquistadors who had originally conquered Peru and those who arrived later to stake some claim in the new Spanish province. As a result, conquistadors were torn into two factions — one run by Pizarro, and the other by his former associate, Almagro. After taking Cuzco, Almagro engaged Pizarro and his brothers in the Battle of Las Salinas. Upon the Pizarro brothers' victory, in 1538, Hernando Pizarro captured and executed Almagro. On June 26, 1541, in Lima, Peru, members of the defeated party avenged Almagro's death by assassinating Pizarro.

QUICK FACTS

Name: Francisco Pizarro Birth Year: 1476 Death: June 26, 1541 Nationality: Spanish Birth City: Trujillo, Spain Death City: Lima, Peru

  • Choose. You may return to the poverty of Panama or cross this line and come with me through infinite dangers but eventual wealth.
  • Prepare your hearts as a fortress, for there will be no other.
  • No man should think of going forward in the expedition, who could not do so with his whole heart, or who had the least misgiving as to its success.
  • Let every one of you take heart and go forward like a good soldier, nothing daunted by the smallness of your numbers.
  • For in the greatest extremity God ever fights for his own; and doubt not he will humble the pride of the heathen, and bring him to the knowledge of the true faith, the great end and object of the Conquest.
  • They were to rely on themselves, and on that Providence which had carried them safe through so many fearful trials. It would not now desert them; and if numbers, however great, were on the side of their enemy, it mattered little when the arm of Heaven was on theirs.
  • Let no one, who values his life, strike at the Inca.
  • What treason is this that you have meditated against me? Me, who have ever treated you with honor, confiding in your words, as in those of a brother?
  • Friends and comrades! On that side [south] are toil, hunger, nakedness, the drenching storm, desertion, and death; on this side ease and pleasure. There lies Peru with its riches; here, Panama and its poverty. Choose, each man, what best becomes a brave Castilian. For my part, I go to the south.

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Francisco Pizarro

Francisco Pizarro contributed to the Spanish empire gaining control over South America by conquering the great Inca Empire in Peru

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Following The Expeditions Of The Explorer Francisco Pizarro

Follow the expeditions of Spanish explorer and conquistador Francisco Pizarro in our interactive map.

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The story of Francisco Pizarro, one of Spain's most victorious conquistadors, is both captivating and controversial. Born in Trujillo, Spain, around 1475, Pizarro rose from humble beginnings to become a key figure in the Spanish conquest and colonization of Peru. His expeditions brought him fame, wealth, and power, but they also led to the downfall of the Inca Empire and the devastation of native populations. In this article, we will delve into the life and achievements of Francisco Pizarro, tracing his journeys through South America and exploring the impact of his actions.

Map Of Francisco Pizarro's Expeditions

Francisco pizarro's early life and military service.

Francisco Pizarro was born into a poor family in Trujillo, Spain . His parents, Gonzalo Pizarro Rodriguez de Aguilar and Francisca Gonzalez Mateos, never married, making Francisco an illegitimate child. Growing up in a modest household, Pizarro did not receive a formal education and instead began working as a swineherd at a young age. However, he harbored dreams of adventure and wealth, which led him to join the Spanish army as a teenager.

Pizarro's military service took him to Italy , where he gained a reputation for his courage and bravery. Meanwhile, Spain was expanding its empire in the New World, and the voyages of Christopher Columbus inspired Pizarro to seek his own fortunes in the Americas. In 1502, he set sail for Hispaniola, a Spanish outpost in the Caribbean , where he served in the military troops. However, Pizarro's desire for exploration and conquest led him to seek further opportunities.

Expeditions in South America

Pizarro's first expedition in South America came in 1510 when he joined Alonso de Ojeda and 300 other settlers in an attempt to establish a colony on the coast of South America. The settlement, named San Sebastian (in present-day Columbia), faced numerous challenges, including tropical diseases, starvation, and attacks from native populations. The majority of the settlers perished, forcing Pizarro and the surviving members to abandon San Sebastian and establish a new colony in Darien, present-day Panama .

It was in Darien that Pizarro formed a partnership with Vasco de Nuñez de Balboa, a famous explorer. Together, they embarked on a trek across Panama, becoming the first Europeans to lay eyes on the Pacific Ocean. This journey ignited Pizarro's ambition to explore further and discover new riches in the south. In 1519, he began serving under Pedrarias Davila, the new governor of Panama, and was tasked with arresting Balboa, who was Davila's rival. Balboa was executed, and Pizarro gained wealth and land, solidifying his position in the New World.

Discovery and Conquest of Peru

Pizarro's partnership with Diego de Almagro, another soldier, marked the beginning of his quest to conquer Peru. In 1524, they set sail from the Bay of Panama , exploring the Biru River and encountering friendly natives who possessed gold. Their vessel required repairs, so they returned to Panama, naming the land "Peru" after the river. However, Pedrarias Davila prevented Pizarro from continuing his explorations, prompting him to return to Spain to seek permission directly from Emperor Carlos V.

In 1529, Pizarro was granted permission to conquer Peru and was appointed governor and captain-general of the New Castile province. He returned to Panama in 1530 and set sail for Peru in January 1531, accompanied by his brothers and a small army. The Spaniards arrived in Peru and established a camp named San Miguel , where they met Hernando de Soto, another notable explorer.

Pizarro's army encountered the Inca ruler, Atahualpa, who initially refused to convert to Christianity. This led to a conflict between the Spaniards and the Inca empire, culminating in the capture of Atahualpa in the city of Cajamarca in November 1532.

Despite receiving a vast ransom in gold and treasure, Pizarro ordered Atahualpa's execution in 1533. The Spanish then proceeded to conquer the Inca capital of Cuzco (1535 - 57) and plundered its riches, effectively ending the Inca empire.

Later Years and Legacy

After the conquest of Peru, Francisco Pizarro spent several years maintaining Spanish control and establishing settlements. However, tensions and rivalries between Pizarro and Almagro plagued their partnership. In 1538, Pizarro had Almagro imprisoned and executed, further solidifying his power. He continued to explore and expand Spanish territories, founding the city of Lima in present-day Peru.

Pizarro's actions had far-reaching consequences. While he brought wealth and power to Spain, his conquests resulted in the decline of native populations due to violence, enslavement, and diseases brought by the Europeans. The cultural and societal impact of the Inca empire's collapse cannot be understated. Today, however, Pizarro's achievements are still recognized, and the city he established, Lima, remains the capital of Peru.

Francisco Pizarro's expeditions and conquests shaped the history of South America. From his humble beginnings as a swineherd in Trujillo, Spain, he rose to become a renowned conquistador and the conqueror of the Inca Empire. Pizarro's thirst for wealth and power drove him to explore uncharted territories, leading to the downfall of one of the most advanced civilizations in the world. While his actions had devastating consequences for native populations, his legacy endures in the cities and regions he founded. Francisco Pizarro's story serves as a reminder of the complex and often tragic history of exploration and colonization.

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Ancient Origins

Finding Francisco Pizzaro: The Strange Story of Pizarro’s Remains

  • Read Later  

It’s fair to say that Francisco Pizarro was a highly divisive figure. Indeed, even a mention of him today in some parts of the world can incite blood fueled anguish and hatred of the man responsible for massacring thousands of indigenous people. This Spanish conquistador (conqueror), in his third attempt to conquer Peru, finally succeeded, including the capture and eventual murder of the last great Inca ruler, Atahualpa, in 1532-33 AD. Eventually assassinated in 1541, Pizarro’s supposed remains were put on display in a sarcophagus in 1891, only for a fresh revelation to emerge in 1977.

It turns out that for almost a whole century, the remains of a man erroneously believed to be Pizarro, were put on display in a glass casket in the Cathedral of Lima, Peru. Studied by historians, visited by pilgrims and travelers alike, this turned out to be fiction. In 1977, workers uncovered another coffin beneath the cathedral engraved with the words, “Here is the skull of the Marquis Don Francisco Pizarro who discovered and won Peru and placed it under the crown of Castile.”

This occurred while cleaning a crypt in the Cathedral of Lima. The workers found a lead box with a skull, along with another box that contained the remains of several skeletons. The inscription lay on top of the lead box, which identified the skull as that of Pizarro. Now the conundrum was obvious – were the remains in the glass casket that of Pizarro, or were they in the newly-found coffin?

It turns out that the original casket contained an imposter mummy. But the 1977 discovery matched with the descriptions of Pizarro from contemporaneous sources of the time - he was, at 5 feet and 9 inches (175 centimeters) tall, a wiry, jut-jawed, and heavily muscled individual, with a sword in his right hand used to protect himself in his dying moments.

“Pizarro bled to death,” said pathologist and legend in his field, Dr. Uriel Garcia, after scientific analysis of the 1977 remains. “The fatal blow was a sword thrust that clipped his right jaw, probably cut the jugular vein and the carotid artery, and severed his spine. He was likely paralyzed when death came.”

Francisco Pizarro inviting his soldiers to cross the line drawn on the ground, if they wished to continue their expedition to Peru, in a painting by Juan Lepiani, where Pizarro’s remains remained after he was killed by a sword in his Lima palace. (Juan Lepiani / Public domain)

Francisco Pizarro inviting his soldiers to cross the line drawn on the ground, if they wished to continue their expedition to Peru, in a painting by Juan Lepiani, where Pizarro’s remains remained after he was killed by a sword in his Lima palace. (Juan Lepiani / Public domain )

The Science of Bone Analysis and Pizarro’s Remains

Initially, Pizzaro’s remains could not be matched precisely with his skull. This prompted the Peruvian Institute of Culture to get in touch with anthropologist Robert Benfer at the University of Missouri. By 1984, with the help of a doctoral student under Benfer’s wing, and the nuclear reactor at the university, the skull and bones turned out to be a match! This was further corroborated with measurements of arm bones found in the other box.

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They would then receive a grant worth $4,000 (€3,792 euros) from the Chancellor’s office, which included Dr. William Maples, a forensic specialist and curator of physical anthropology at the Florida State Museum. Together, they discovered the cuts in the bones caused by the sword, as confirmed by Dr. Maples, which confirmed the match. Under Dr. Benfer’s supervision, vertebrae and a section of the sword were exposed to “low-level radiation.” The faint traces of metal that the sword had left behind in the bones was further detected.

Finally, a rib bone sample from the believed postcranial Pizzaro’s remains were subjected to histomorphometric analysis, which provides information about bone architecture and cellular activity. This was then computed into a newly developed formula to predict the age at death, which showed 62 years. This age ties up with historical sources of the time, both primary and secondary.

Pizarro and Vasco Nunez de Balboa were both great Spanish conquistadors and bitter enemies. Pizarro arrested Balboa, and soon after he was beheaded. This drawing, for an American magazine article, is by Frederick A. Ober. (Ober, Frederick A. / Public domain)

Pizarro and Vasco Nunez de Balboa were both great Spanish conquistadors and bitter enemies. Pizarro arrested Balboa, and soon after he was beheaded. This drawing, for an American magazine article, is by Frederick A. Ober. (Ober, Frederick A. / Public domain )

Francisco Pizarro: A Story of Violence

Ever the power-hungry, bloodthirsty, and manipulative man, Pizarro’s brief trajectory included the eventual backstabbing and conspiratorial murder of Vasco Nunez de Balboa . It was with Balbao whom Pizarro took a voyage in 1513, in the crossing of the Isthmus of Panama to the Pacific. They were the first Europeans in recorded history to do so. In 1519, Pizarro switched loyalties and arrested Balboa, which led to his brutal beheading. For his betrayal Pizarro was given mayoral duties of the newly founded Panama City from 1519-23.

Incidentally, it was in 1519 when the news of Hernan Cortes’ discovery of the magnitude of Montezuma’s Aztec treasure spread to Spain. Fifteen years later, it was Francisco Pizarro, the “Conqueror of Peru,” who ransomed two rooms full of gold and silver from the Inca emperor Atahualpa , before murdering him.

Pizzaro set out on his Peruvian conquest with his partner Diego de Almagro. They twice explored the Pacific coast of South America. Pizzaro double crossed his partner in the eventual division of Peru, in favor of his brothers, leading to a civil war within Peru. This ultimately led to Almagro’s murder in 1538. This would prove to be Pizarro’s biggest mistake. Almagro’s sons and allies entered Pizzaro’s palace in Lima at dinnertime, and though Pizarro seized the nearest sword and managed to kill off two attackers, he would bloodily succumb to his fate.

The skeleton suggests that Pizarro was wounded on his right thumb from a sword cut and lost a piece of his right elbow whilst he was warding off a hit from an axe. A deep sword cut to his throat was the final blow. This would be corroborated by many witnesses who later testified before the Spanish court, in a bid to identify and name the culprits. Along with Pizarro, his half-brother Francisco Martin de Alcantara, a guest at the dinner, also died in the attack.

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They were buried alongside each other behind the cathedral in June 1541. The Cathedral of Lima underwent several renovations, which meant that Pizarro’s remains were exposed to the elements several times over the years. In fact, authorities lost track of how many times he had to be reburied. In 1606, there is evidence of his body temporarily being moved to a new church while the cathedral underwent reparations.

Seventeen years later, they were moved to a new temporary home for a full six years. Over this time period, right up till 1891, Pizarro’s remains had gone on a tiny journey of their own. It was only in 1984, after the new discovery seven years prior, that one of history’s greatest mysteries has been laid to rest. Like his life, which was one of unending violence and destruction, Pizarro’s death was equally brutal.

Top image: Left; Portrait of Francisco Pizarro. Right; The tomb of Francisco Pizarro in the Lima Cathedral held the wrong man’s remains for nearly a century, but modern science has corrected the error with Pizarro’s remains, found in two boxes beneath the cathedral in 1977. Source: Left; Public Domain , Right; RAF-YYC / CC BY-SA 2.0

By Sahir Pandey

Galleano, E. 1973. Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent . Available at: https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Open_Veins_of_Latin_America/KHsqCgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover

Maples, W.R., Gatliff, B.P., et al. 1989. The death and mortal remains of Francisco Pizarro . Journal of Forensic Science, 34(4). Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2668443/#:~:text=When%20Francisco%20Pizarro%20was%20assassinated,a%20sarcophagus%20on%20public%20exhibition

Montalbano, W. D. 1985. Wrong Bones in That Sarcophagus : 444 Years Later, Mystery of Pizarro Is Laid to Rest . Available at: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-02-10-mn-3334-story.html

Stout, S.D. 1986. The use of bone histomorphometry in skeletal identification: the case of Francisco Pizarro . Journal of Forensic Science, 31(1). Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3511176/

Strangeremains. 2014. The Game of Thrones written in bone, conquistador edition . Available at: https://strangeremains.com/2014/05/25/the-game-of-thrones-written-in-bone-conquistador-edition/

UPI. 1984. Bones found in Lima verified as the remains of Pizarro. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/25/us/bones-found-in-lima-verified-as-the-remains-of-pizarro.html

I'm African American learning about The Middle Passage and how many Nation's were involved was quite a pill to swallow for me 10 year's ago found out about an notorious case involving Fraud.

It wasn't the 1st time it had occurred during The Middle Passage but, it was the first time people got caught Red Handed.

A British Slave Ship was sabotage by the ships owner the slaves chained at the bottom weren't going too slavery.

Instead they would all be Murdered in cold blood Men, Women pregnant Not Pregnant, Children.

The Ship sunk with all Human Lives Loss on board.

In return for the loss of the Slave Ship's those Sick Owner's were awarded Their Insurance money.

For some reason those little mysteries in history some one got suspicious surrounding The Quote lost Cargo, an it actually went to The British Court.

After, that landmark case that's when Member's in British Parliament began Advocating for Abolishing Not only The Trafficking of African Slaves but, Slavery altogether, 50 year's later Britain would opt for Colonialism in Africa being a much more Sound and reasonable solution (this is the part where one is overcome with hysterical laughter).

When I was much younger I remember thinking it be great, if what happened to Pizarro had happen to those Murderous Enslavers and all for Insurance Money.

Since taking up Studying The Apostle of Non-violence Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. an I'm definitely aware he isn't the only Apostle of Non-violence in History but, when listening too his speeches like I did when I was really little thanks impart through ytube His stirring Voice reminds me to keep my humanity.

When I read of bizarre cases like what happen to Pizzaro I can only see it as Divine Justice or The Hand of God.

These are my thought's on the death of Pizarro so until Next Discussion Gary, Goodbye!

Gary Moran's picture

Divine Justice for his greed, avarice and cruelty? Certainly no less than what he deserved.

Well since they were all Catholic those Conquisatodor's guess Pizarro was dealt with through Divine Justice. In Death even.

Sahir's picture

I am a graduate of History from the University of Delhi, and a graduate of Law, from Jindal University, Sonepat. During my study of history, I developed a great interest in post-colonial studies, with a focus on Latin America. I... Read More

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Biography of Francisco de Orellana, Discoverer of the Amazon River

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Francisco de Orellana (1511–November 1546) was a Spanish conquistador , colonist, and explorer. He joined Gonzalo Pizarro 's 1541 expedition that set out from Quito headed east, hoping to find the mythical city of El Dorado. Along the way, Orellana and Pizarro were separated.

While Pizarro returned to Quito, Orellana and a handful of men continued traveling downriver, eventually discovering the Amazon River and making their way to the Atlantic Ocean. Today, Orellana is best remembered for this journey of exploration.

Fast Facts: Francisco de Orellana

  • Known For : Spanish conquistador who discovered the Amazon River
  • Born : 1511 in Trujillo, Crown of Castile
  • Died : November 1546 in the Delta of the Amazon River (Today Pará and Amapá, Brazil)
  • Spouse : Ana de Ayala

Francisco de Orellana was born in Extremadura sometime around 1511. It's reported that he had a close relationship with Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro , although the exact relationship is not entirely clear. They were close enough, however, that Orellana could use the connection to his advantage.

Joining Pizarro

Orellana came to the New World while still a young man and met with Pizarro's 1832 expedition to Peru, where he was among the Spaniards who overthrew the mighty Inca Empire. He showed a knack for supporting the winning sides in the Civil Wars among the conquistadors that ripped the region apart in the late 1530s. He lost an eye in the fighting but was richly rewarded with lands in present-day Ecuador.

Gonzalo Pizarro’s Expedition

Spanish conquistadors had discovered unimaginable wealth in Mexico and Peru and were constantly on the lookout for the next rich native Empire to attack and rob. Gonzalo Pizarro, Francisco's brother, was one man who believed in the legend of El Dorado, a wealthy city governed by a king who painted his body in gold dust.

In 1540, Gonzalo began outfitting an expedition that would set out from Quito and head east in the hopes of locating El Dorado or any other rich native civilization. Gonzalo borrowed a princely sum of money to outfit the expedition, which left in February of 1541. Francisco de Orellana joined the expedition and was considered high-ranking among the conquistadors.

Pizarro and Orellana Separate

The expedition did not find much in the way of gold or silver. Instead, it encountered angry natives, hunger, insects, and flooded rivers. The conquistadors slogged around the dense South American jungle for several months, their condition worsening.

In December of 1541, the men were camped out alongside a mighty river, their provisions loaded onto a makeshift raft. Pizarro decided to send Orellana ahead to scout the terrain and find some food. His orders were to return as soon as he could. Orellana set out with about 50 men and departed on December 26.

Orellana’s Journey

A few days downriver, Orellana and his men found some food at a native village. According to documents that Orellana kept, he wished to return to Pizarro, but his men agreed that returning upriver would be too hard and threatened to mutiny if Orellana made them, preferring instead to continue downriver. Orellana did send three volunteers back to Pizarro to inform him of his actions. They set forth from the confluence of the Coca and Napo Rivers and began their trek.

On February 11, 1542, the Napo emptied into a larger River: the Amazon. Their voyage would last until they reached the Spanish-held Island of Cubagua, off the coast of Venezuela, in September. Along the way, they suffered from Indigenous attacks, hunger, malnutrition, and illnesses. Pizarro would eventually return to Quito, his troop of colonists decimated.

The Amazons

The Amazons—a fearsome race of warrior women—had been legendary in Europe for centuries. The conquistadors, who had become used to seeing new, marvelous things on a regular basis, often looked for legendary people and places (such as Juan Ponce de León 's fabled search for the Fountain of Youth ).

The Orellana expedition convinced itself that it had found the fabled Kingdom of the Amazons. Native sources, highly motivated to tell the Spaniards what they wanted to hear, told of a great, wealthy kingdom ruled by women with vassal states along the river.

During one skirmish, the Spanish even saw women fighting: they assumed these were the legendary Amazons who had come to fight alongside their vassals. Friar Gaspar de Carvajal, whose first-hand account of the journey has survived, described them as near-naked white women who fought fiercely.

Return to Spain

Orellana returned to Spain in May 1543, where he was not surprised to find that an angry Gonzalo Pizarro had denounced him as a traitor. He was able to defend himself against the charges, in part because he had asked the would-be mutineers to sign documents to the effect that they did not allow him to return upstream to aid Pizarro.

On February 13, 1544, Orellana was named governor of “New Andalucia,” which included much of the region he had explored. His charter allowed him to explore the area, conquer any bellicose natives, and establish settlements along the Amazon River.

Return to the Amazon

Orellana was now an adelantado, sort of a cross between an administrator and a conquistador. With his charter in hand, he went looking for funding but found it difficult to lure investors to his cause. His expedition was a fiasco from the start.

More than a year after gaining his charter, Orellana set sail for the Amazon on May 11, 1545. He had four ships carrying hundreds of settlers, but provisions were poor. He stopped in the Canary Islands to refit the ships but wound up staying there for three months as he sorted out various problems.

When they finally set sail, rough weather caused one of his ships to be lost. He reached the mouth of the Amazon in December and began his plans for settlement.

Orellana began exploring the Amazon, looking for a likely place to settle. Meanwhile, hunger, thirst, and native attacks weakened his force constantly. Some of his men even abandoned the enterprise while Orellana was exploring.

Sometime in late 1546, Orellana was scouting an area with some of his remaining men when they were attacked by natives. Many of his men were killed: according to Orellana’s widow, he died of illness and grief shortly after that.

Orellana is best remembered today as an explorer, but that was never his goal. He was a conquistador who accidentally became an explorer when he and his men were carried off by the mighty Amazon River . His motives were not very pure, either: he never intended to be a trailblazing explorer.

Rather, he was a veteran of the bloody conquest of the Inca Empire whose considerable rewards were not enough for his greedy soul. He wished to find and loot the legendary city of El Dorado in order to become even wealthier. He died still seeking a wealthy kingdom to plunder.

Still, there is no doubt that he led the first expedition to travel the Amazon River from its roots in the Andean mountains to its release into the Atlantic Ocean. Along the way, he proved himself as shrewd, tough, and opportunistic, but also cruel and ruthless. For a time, historians deplored his failure to return to Pizarro, but it seems that he had no choice in the matter.

Today, Orellana is remembered for his journey of exploration and little else. He is most famous in Ecuador, which is proud of its role in history as the place from which the famed expedition departed. There are streets, schools, and even a province named after him.

  • Ayala Mora, Enrique, ed. Manual de Historia del Ecuador I: Epocas Aborigen y Colonial, Independencia. Quito: Universidad Andina Simon Bolivar, 2008.
  • Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “ Francisco De Orellana. ”  Encyclopædia Britannica , Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 13 Feb. 2014.
  • Silverberg, Robert. The Golde. Dream: Seekers of El Dorado. Athens: the Ohio University Press, 1985.
  • 10 Notable Spanish Conquistadors Throughout History
  • El Dorado, Legendary City of Gold
  • 10 Facts About the Spanish Conquistadors
  • 10 Facts About Francisco Pizarro
  • Sir Walter Raleigh and His First Journey to El Dorado
  • Biography of Hernando Pizarro
  • Biography of Juan Ponce de León, Conquistador
  • Who Were the Spanish Conquistadors?
  • The Legend of El Dorado
  • Biography of Hernando Cortez
  • A Timeline of North American Exploration: 1492–1585
  • Ten Facts About Hernan Cortes
  • 10 Facts About the Conquest of the Inca Empire
  • Biography of Hernán Cortés, Ruthless Conquistador
  • Biography of Pedro de Alvarado, Conquistador
  • Consequences of the Conquest of the Aztecs

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Unit 1 Overview: Early Contact with the New World (1491-1607)

5 min read • december 31, 2022

Eric Leiden

Jillian Holbrook

Jillian Holbrook

Summary of Events

Period One represents the time right before Columbus landed in the Caribbean until the English established their first permanent settlement in North America at Jamestown . During this era, European exploration and discovery were in full swing as the rival European powers of England, Spain, Portugal, and France competed for resources and trade routes. Columbus was searching for a Northwest Passage to Asia; however, Columbus landed in the Bahamas at San Salvador. The news of his discovery of a New World spread as quickly as possible in the 15th century, and further exploration ensued.  ⚓

The Spanish Take the Lead

The Spanish demonstrated an early lead in exploration following Columbus’ voyage in 1492. Spanish conquistadors like Francisco Pizarro and Hernán Cortés found tremendous amounts of gold and silver in Mexico and Peru as they viciously conquered the Incan and Aztec Empires.

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As a result of advanced technology and weapons, vast Native empires fell to European conquest. Millions of Natives died from European diseases, such as smallpox.

Economic Impacts

Economies drastically changed as a result of European exploration. Native empires throughout the western hemisphere began to establish trading relationships with the European powers through the Colombian Exchange .

One of the most significant impacts of the Columbian Exchange was the exchange of plants and animals between the Old World and the New World. Many crops, such as wheat, rice, and sugarcane, were introduced to the New World, while crops like potatoes, corn, and beans were introduced to the Old World. The exchange of plants had a major impact on the economies and diets of both regions. In particular, European populations exploded after Europeans began to grow the highly caloric  potato . 🥔

The Columbian Exchange also established new species of animals in the New World, including horses, cows, sheep, and pigs. These animals had a significant impact on the environment and the economies of the New World, and they also facilitated the expansion of European settlement and colonization in the Americas.

In addition to plants and animals, the Columbian Exchange also involved the exchange of ideas, religions, and cultures between the Old World and the New World. The exchange of ideas and cultures had a major impact on the societies of both regions and contributed to the development of a more interconnected and globalized world.

Rising populations encouraged additional exploration, and the desire for European goods convinced many Native tribes to continue trading. For the purpose of finding riches and establishing colonies, England and the Dutch created joint-stock companies.

Unfortunately, the original English colony of Roanoke mysteriously collapsed. However, the Virginia Company financed the settlement of Jamestown for the purpose of finding gold. Although no gold was found in Virginia, Jamestown became England’s first permanent colony and a source of tobacco.

Social Impacts

Socially, the Spanish began to establish the Encomienda System in order to create a labor supply for mining resources and farming. The Encomienda System had many flaws, leading both the Spanish and English to turn to enslaved Africans for free labor. Social systems based on lineage and ethnicity resulted in rigid caste systems in many areas.

Religious Impacts

Religiously, the Spanish empire sent missionaries, such as de las Casas and Sepulveda , over to the new world to convert Natives to Catholicism . Many Natives were killed or persecuted if they did not convert to Catholicism. Nonetheless, religious and social justifications condoned the use of both Natives and Africans as labor sources in this time period.

Key Context for Period 1

As you study Period One, focus on the causes of European exploration and the impact the Europeans had on the Native Americans and vice-versa. Understanding the impact on both cultures will demonstrate higher levels of understanding, which is important on the APUSH exam. In addition, understanding the development of the Columbian Exchange is crucial in describing the impact of both cultures upon one another.

Pay close attention to the development of the different labor systems employed by European powers. Focus on the Encomienda System and then the movement to the slave labor system . The movement from one system to the other is crucial in understanding the movement toward the Trans-Atlantic trading patterns that develop.

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Major People and Events

Christopher Columbus ; Italian explorer sailing for Spain and looking for a new route to Asia and the Indies, but landed in the Bahamas, thus discovering a “new world.”

Aztecs, Mayas, Incas ; all three were indigenous tribes conquered by the Spanish conquistadors for their gold and other resources.

Francisco Pizarro and Hernan Cortes ; both Spanish conquistadors claiming New World lands for Spain and exploiting the Natives for their gold.

Columbian Exchange ; the exchange of goods, ideas, plants, and diseases between the New World and the Old World.

Bartolome de las Casas ; Spanish missionary against the enslavement of Natives and critic of the Encomienda System.

Juan de Sepulveda ; Spanish priest who supported the Encomienda System and the enslavement of the Native peoples.

Encomienda System ; a harsh method of slavery imposed by the Spanish on the Natives of the New World.

Slavery ; the use of people against their will for the purpose of doing labor.

The Black Legend ; a term describing the harsh, inhumane practices imposed on the Natives by the Spanish during the period of conquest.

Maize: corn.

Key Timeline:

1492 Columbus Voyage

1494 Treaty of Tordesillas

1565 St. Augustine founded by the Spanish

1587 Roanoke founded by the English

1607 Jamestown

Major Trend

Environmental issues increase significantly as people searched the world for natural resources. European exploration produced competition among major nation-states, fueling the development of joint-stock companies and overseas rivalries.

Agricultural goods and irrigation practices were disseminated between European and Native groups. European countries shifted from feudalism to capitalism as new sources of wealth were discovered, and international trade began to flourish.

The Colombian Exchange provided access to all sorts of new technologies, foods, and religious ideas. Improvements in technology, such as the caravel and compass, influenced further exploration.

Labor systems such as the Encomienda and slave-labor system expanded drastically.

Period 1 Review

We suggest creating a study plan and setting up a consistent study space in a quality learning environment. Pay attention to historical figures and get a good grasp on the timing of major events.

To help with your productivity, especially during the last few days before the exam, consider using a  Pomodoro study timer  to break up your sessions into intervals and include time for breaks. It may be beneficial to study with friends so that you can motivate one another and crush the APUSH exam together! 🙌🏾

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Crashes and Disasters | Magnitude 3.5 earthquake rattles East Bay

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Crashes and disasters | major storm remains on track to reach bay area with rain, wind, crime and public safety, crashes and disasters, the temblor hit wednesday evening near discovery bay.

Jason Green, breaking news reporter, San Jose Mercury News, for his Wordpress profile. (Michael Malone/Bay Area News Group)

DISCOVERY BAY – A magnitude 3.5 earthquake rattled the East Bay on Wednesday night, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The quake hit at 6:21 p.m. one-tenth of a mile east-southeast of Discovery Bay and at a depth of 6.8 miles, the USGS reported. The original estimate of 3.8 was revised.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

The USGS said the earthquake was felt as far away as Novato in the North Bay, Orangevale in Sacramento County, Manteca in the Central Valley and San Jose in the South Bay.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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Travel | Florida-bound this fall, new Sun Princess…

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Subscriber only, travel | florida-bound this fall, new sun princess cruise ship makes maiden voyage.

francisco pizarro voyage discovery

Princess Cruises welcomed passengers aboard the largest ship ever built for the cruise line as the Sun Princess made its maiden voyage from Rome on Wednesday.

The 177,882–gross-ton ship has a 4,314-passenger capacity based on double occupancy. It’s the first of the line’s new Sphere class of ships, the first to run on liquefied natural gas, part of parent company Carnival Corp.’s efforts to reduce emissions.

It’s a big jump in size from the Royal-class ships including 2022’s Discovery Princess, 2020’s Enchanted Princess and 2019’s Sky Princess, which come in at around 145,000 gross tons with about 3,660-passenger capacities.

It won’t call Port Everglades home until October and begins its spate of European voyages until then with a 10-night Grand Mediterranean cruise.

“This is an historic day as our new Sun Princess sets sail on her inaugural voyage, and our guests get to experience our sensational, next-level, Love Boat firsthand,” said Princess Cruises President John Padgett in a news release.  “The ship is a magnificent showcase of advanced design, technology and craftsmanship, with elevated spaces and experiences all focused on taking the Princess vacation experience to a new level.”

Two features Padgett played up are the geodesic, glass space on the top deck called The Dome, inspired by the terraces of the Greek island Santorini. It features several levels that stair-step up adjacent to a main indoor/outdoor pool feature. At night, that gets covered to become a stage for an entertainment venue with a South Beach feel that will be home to an acrobatic performance called Cirque Éloize.

Another new feature for the ship is called the Piazza, which acts as the ship’s three-story atrium, a more spherical look than most, and apropos for the Sphere class. It offers views on either side of the ship to the sea plus a central LED screen that can be moved depending on what entertainment programming is in order.

The ship’s name may seem familiar to Princess Cruises fans. This is the third iteration of Sun Princess, the name was attached to ships that sailed for the line from 1974-1988 and 1995-2020. The pilot episode of “The Love Boat” TV series was shot on board the original Sun Princess in 1977.

The new version offers up 30 food and beverage venues including a thematic magic experience called Spellbound by Magic Castle with a sponsorship from the famous Hollywood, California venue.

Princess Cruises taps famed butcher, magicians for Florida-bound Sun Princess

Other unique venues are Kai Sushi by Makoto serving Edomae-style sushi from Chef Makoto Okuwa, Love by Britto featuring works by artist Romero Britto, and The Butcher’s Block by Dario from celebrity Italian butcher Dario Cecchini.

Other venues on board include another version of line mainstay The Catch by Rudi from Chef Rudi Sodamin and a cocktail lounge from celebrity mixologist Rob Floyd.

The three-deck Horizons Dining Room has inaugural menus created with the Culinary Institute of America.

Zipline roller coaster mashup coming to new Princess Cruises ship

The ship offers more for younger cruisers than previous ships including a family activity zone called Park19 that runs across the ship’s three top decks. That includes an adventurous ride that’s a mashup of a zipline and hang glider called the Sea Breeze as well as a climbing structure called Coastal Climb.

Its first trip from Florida will be a five-night voyage on Oct. 14 followed by mostly alternating seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries through March 2025.

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COMMENTS

  1. Francisco Pizarro

    It was not until 1523, when he was some 48 years old, that Pizarro embarked upon the adventure that was to lead to his lasting fame. In partnership with a soldier, Diego de Almagro, and a priest, Hernando de Luque, he made preparations for a voyage of discovery and conquest down the west coast of South America.Many hardships were endured along the Colombian coast during the first (1524-25 ...

  2. Francisco Pizarro

    Francisco Pizarro was born in 1474 in Trujillo, Spain. His father, Captain Gonzalo Pizarro, was a poor farmer. ... Hernando de Luque, on voyages of discovery and conquest down the west coast of ...

  3. Francisco Pizarro

    Francisco Pizarro was born around 1475 in Trujillo, Spain. The town of Trujillo was in the Extremadura region of Spain, the same place where famed explorer Hernando de Soto was from. Pizarro came from a poor family. He was the son of Gonzalo Pizarro Rodríguez de Aguilar, an army officer, and Francisca González Mateos, a servant.

  4. Francisco Pizarro: Biography, Explorer, Peru, Facts

    In 1513, Francisco Pizarro joined Vasco Núñez de Balboa in his march to the "South Sea," during which Balboa discovered the Pacific Ocean. In 1532, Pizarro and his brothers conquered Peru. In ...

  5. Francisco Pizarro

    Francisco Pizarro was born in Trujillo, Cáceres, Spain (then in the Crown of Castile) in modern-day Extremadura, Spain. He was the illegitimate son of infantry colonel Gonzalo Pizarro (1446-1522) and Francisca González, a woman of poor means. His date of birth is uncertain, but it is believed to be sometime in the 1470s, probably 1475.

  6. Francisco Pizarro Interactive Map

    Voyage Age of Discovery. Quick Facts: Francisco Pizarro's voyages gave Spain a strong grip in the New World by conquering the Inca Empire and claiming much of South America for the Spanish Empire. Click on the world map to view an example of the explorer's voyage. How to Use the Map.

  7. Francisco Pizarro

    Francisco Pizarro (c. 1478-1541) was a conquistador who led the Spanish conquest of the Inca civilization from 1532. With only a small group of men, Pizarro took advantage of his superior weapons and the fact that the Incas were weakened by civil war and the arrival of European diseases to take over the largest empire in the world.. Pizarro captured the Inca capital of Cusco, executed the Inca ...

  8. Age of Discovery Archives

    Showing All filtered by Type Age of Discovery. Ship "Victoria" ship ... Francisco Pizarro contributed to the Spanish empire gaining control over South America by conquering the great Inca Empire in Peru . Voyage. Francisco Pizarro Interactive Map. Francisco Pizarro's voyages gave Spain a strong grip in the New World by conquering the Inca ...

  9. C o n q u i s t a d o r s

    A Land of Wonders. Francisco Pizarro made his first voyage to the New World in November 1524. After much hardship and skirmishes with natives in Panama, he returned to Spain with empty hands ...

  10. Francisco Pizarro

    The Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro (ca. 1474-1541) was the obscure adventurer and ruffian who discovered and overthrew the Inca empire of Peru. Assassin of the Inca Atahualpa, Pizarro was assassinated in turn by his own countrymen. Francisco Pizarro was born at Trujillo in Estremadura.

  11. Francisco Pizarro Timeline

    Francisco Pizarro joins the expedition of Vasco Nuñez de Balboa to cross the Isthmus of Panama. 1524 - 1525 Francisco Pizarro leads his first voyage of exploration to South America.

  12. Francisco Pizarro

    Francisco Pizarro: Routes and Voyages. In 1502, Francisco Pizarro returned to Spain. During that year, Fray Nicolas de Ovando would go to the island of Hispaniola, which was recently discovered by ...

  13. PDF European Voyages of Exploration: Christopher Columbus and the Spanish

    European history as the Age of Discovery or the Age of Exploration. Compared to ... Francisco Pizarro invaded and conquered lands in the Americas and the Caribbean ... Columbus's first voyage, the indigenous population is described as being poor and ignorant. Furthermore, there is the assumption that the natives will play a submissive

  14. Following The Expeditions Of The Explorer Francisco Pizarro

    Francisco Pizarro's expeditions and conquests shaped the history of South America. From his humble beginnings as a swineherd in Trujillo, Spain, he rose to become a renowned conquistador and the conqueror of the Inca Empire. Pizarro's thirst for wealth and power drove him to explore uncharted territories, leading to the downfall of one of the ...

  15. Finding Francisco Pizzaro: The Strange Story of Pizarro's Remains

    Francisco Pizarro: A Story of Violence. Ever the power-hungry, bloodthirsty, and manipulative man, Pizarro's brief trajectory included the eventual backstabbing and conspiratorial murder of Vasco Nunez de Balboa. It was with Balbao whom Pizarro took a voyage in 1513, in the crossing of the Isthmus of Panama to the Pacific.

  16. Francisco Pizarro : Journeys Through Peru and South America

    Inspired by Cortés' discovery in the early 1500s of gold in Mexico, Francisco Pizarro was inspired like many to seek his fortune through expedition. This interesting new book describes the life and travels of Pizarro as a soldier for Spain and of his eventual conquest of Peru. Sensitively written text describes his attack on the Inca capital and his defeat of the last great Inca emperor ...

  17. Francisco de Orellana, Discoverer of the Amazon River

    Biography of Francisco de Orellana, Discoverer of the Amazon River. Francisco de Orellana (1511-November 1546) was a Spanish conquistador, colonist, and explorer. He joined Gonzalo Pizarro 's 1541 expedition that set out from Quito headed east, hoping to find the mythical city of El Dorado. Along the way, Orellana and Pizarro were separated.

  18. Francisco de Orellana

    Francisco de Orellana (Spanish pronunciation: [fɾanˈθisko ðe oɾeˈʝana]; 1511 - November 1546) was a Spanish explorer and conquistador.In one of the most improbably successful voyages in known history, Orellana managed to sail the length of the Amazon, arriving at the river's mouth on 24 August 1542.He and his party sailed along the Atlantic coast until reaching Cubagua Island, near ...

  19. Francisco de Orellana

    After participating with Francisco Pizarro in the conquest of Peru in 1535, Orellana moved to Guayaquil and was named governor of that area in 1538. When Pizarro's half brother, Gonzalo, prepared an expedition to explore the regions east of Quito, Orellana was appointed his lieutenant.In April 1541 he was sent ahead of the main party to seek provisions, taking a brigantine with 50 soldiers.

  20. Unit 1 Overview: Early Contact with the New World (1491-1607)

    The Spanish demonstrated an early lead in exploration following Columbus' voyage in 1492. Spanish conquistadors like Francisco Pizarro and Hernán Cortés found tremendous amounts of gold and silver in Mexico and Peru as they viciously conquered the Incan and Aztec Empires.

  21. River of Darkness: Francisco Orellana's Legendary Voyage of Death and

    From the acclaimed author of Conquistador comes this thrilling account of one of history's greatest adventures of discovery. With cinematic immediacy and meticulous attention to historical detail, here is the true story of a legendary sixteenth-century explorer and his death-defying navigation of the Amazon—river of darkness, pathway to gold.In 1541, the brutal conquistador Gonzalo Pizarro ...

  22. Magnitude 3.5 earthquake rattles East Bay

    4.2 magnitude earthquake rattles Southern California; no injuries or damage immediately reported The quake hit at 6:21 p.m. one-tenth of a mile east-southeast of Discovery Bay and at a depth of 6. ...

  23. Florida-bound this fall, new Sun Princess cruise ship makes maiden voyage

    It's a big jump in size from the Royal-class ships including 2022's Discovery Princess, 2020's Enchanted Princess and 2019's Sky Princess, which come in at around 145,000 gross tons with ...

  24. Unit 1-4 World Civilization Flashcards

    The three African civilizations discussed in Unit 1 include all of the following except. Mali. Kongo. Mughal. Great Zimbabwe. muhgal. Which of the following policies did Sundiata Keita put in place in the Mali Empire? He ensured that travel and trade were safe in order to maintain tax revenue.