Francisco Pizarro Thesis

The Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro is probably most well known for his conquest of the Incan Empire. Though his humble origins as an illegitimate son to a pig farmer should have normally left him in the lower class, Pizarro traveled to the New World and there acquired great wealth, eventually becoming governor of Lima, Peru, where he was assassinated by a competing family.

Francisco Pizarro was born c.1475 in the town of Trajillo. His father was Captain Gonzalo Pizarro, an impoverished farmer. His mother was Francisca González, a girl of humble birth. Pizarro was an illegitimate child of these two and grew up as a swineherd. In 1510, Francisco Pizarro left for the New World with Alonzo de Ojeda on a journey to Urabá in Columbia. Here he gained the reputation as hard and silent, but extremely trustworthy. This reputation earned him a job three years later as Captain under

“Choose,” he said to his followers, “You may return to the poverty of Panama or cross this line and come with me through infinite dangers but eventual wealth.” (Biography.com Editors) Thirteen men, later deemed the “famous thirteen,” crossed the line, joining Pizarro. They sailed past Ecuador, exploring the Inca empire as well as obtaining some Incan artifacts. This newly discovered land they called Perú, probably after the river Virú. Francisco Pizarro returned to Panamá with these treasures, but the governor was still opposed to sending troops down the coast. In response, Pizarro sailed to Spain wanting to acquire a commission from Charles V himself. Through little persuasion, Charles V granted Pizarro the commission and a coat of arms. In 1529, Pizarro was made governor and captain general of New Castile, a colony approximately 600 miles south of Panama on the coast. Almagro and Luque were granted high ranking positions, and the “famous thirteen” obtained certain privileges and rights in the new