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Francisco Pizarro: The Conquistador of Peru
Early Life and Career
Francisco Pizarro was born in Trujillo, Spain, around 1475. He was a soldier and explorer who became famous for his conquest of Peru in the 16th century. Pizarro was born into a poor family and received little formal education. He began his military career in Italy, where he fought against the French. After several years of service, he returned to Spain and joined an expedition to the New World led by Hernán Cortés.
In 1524, Pizarro and Cortés arrived in Mexico and participated in the conquest of the Aztec Empire. After the fall of the Aztecs, Pizarro turned his attention to Peru, which was rumored to be a land of great wealth. In 1531, he led an expedition to Peru with a small force of men.
Conquest of Peru
Pizarro and his men landed in Peru in 1532. They quickly made their way to the Inca capital of Cuzco and captured the Inca emperor, Atahualpa. Atahualpa was later executed, and Pizarro and his men looted the Inca treasury. The conquest of Peru was a brutal affair, and many thousands of Inca were killed. However, Pizarro and his men were ultimately successful in establishing Spanish rule over Peru.
Assassination and Legacy
Pizarro was assassinated in Lima, Peru, in 1541 by a group of rebellious conquistadors. He was succeeded by his brother, Gonzalo, who continued the Spanish conquest of Peru. Francisco Pizarro's legacy is a complex one. He was a ruthless conqueror who was responsible for the deaths of many thousands of Inca. However, he also played a significant role in the establishment of Spanish rule in the Americas.
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