Francisco Pizarro

Francisco Pizarro

Francisco Pizarro, Born in Trujillo, Estremadura, Spain, in 1471. He was the son of Gonzalo Pizarro and Francisca Gonzalez, Francisco did not know how to read or write. He had little education throughout his life. His father was a captain of infantry and had fought in many battles. Pizarro always wanted to explore and sail. Pizarro set sail to Urabi. He lost many men during his explorations. He went to Cartagena, where he met another explorer named Balboa and they became close friends. When Balboa was beheaded by his successor, Pedrarias Davila, Pizarro followed another explorer along the Pacific coast. He went on another exploration into the territory of the around present day Costa Rica.

In 1522 the achievements of Hernбn Cortes, and the return of Pascual de Andagoya from his expedition to the southern part of Panama, bringing news of the countries along the shore of the ocean to the south, gave him with enthusiasm. With the enthusiasm he went into Panama, and Hernando de Luque and company to conquer the islands to the south of Panama. Their journey seemed impossible; the people called them the "company of lunatics". Pizarro collected some funds and became the head of the expedition; His crew was responsible with the equipping of the ship. Pizarro's right-hand man was in charge of their money and other things in the town and stayed behind just incase of an accident. In November, 1524, Pizarro set sail from Panama with one hundred and fourteen volunteers and four horses, and Almagro was to follow him in a smaller ship. The result of the first expedition discouraged many of the crew and Pizarro himself. Pizarro went on the coast of what is now Colombia, and having lost many of his men he went a short distance from Panama. He sent his treasurer, with the gold which he had obtained, to the governor to tell him of the expedition. Almagro had followed him, going as far as the Rio de San Juan, not finding him, returned to rejoin him at Panama.

Pizarro had a second request to obtain Pedrarias's permission to recruit volunteers for the expedition, but Pizarro was denied because the governor himself was planning an expedition to Nicaragua. In March, 1528, the three partners signed a contract, they agreed to divide all the territory that should be conquered and all the gold, silver, and precious stones that would be found. They purchased two ships, and Pizarro and Almagro started to sail the course of the San Juan River, they separated. Pizarro kept a portion of the soldiers to explore the mainland; Almagro returned to Panama to get more crew and soldiers; and the other ship set sail for the south. He went as far as half a degree south of the equator, and after making observations and collecting information, the other ship then returned to Pizarro. Together with his companions, Pizarro had some trouble during his voyage. Shortly afterwards Almagro arrived from Panama, bringing soldiers and supplies. Once more they started together taking a southerly route until they reached the south of Columbia. They decided that Almagro should return to Panama, and Pizarro should remain on an island