History Lesson 10

Pizarro y el Imperio Inca – Pizarro and the Inca Empire

While Pizarro is definitely not a role model in terms of honor or character, his conquest of the Incas is an incredible historical phenomenon. His life also vividly illustrates several of our well-known proverbs:

– If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!

– Pride goes before a fall.

– Those who live by the sword die by the sword.

– Never trust a relative of Hernán Cortés. (OK, I made that one up!)

How to Use This Page:

1. Listen to the audio as you read along with the Spanish on the left.

2. Open the English translation, and read the two side-by-side, making sure you understand the Spanish.

3. Close the English, and listen to the audio again, reading along in Spanish.

4. Close the Spanish, and listen once more. Maybe shut your eyes, and just try to catch as much as you can.

Overview Timeline

Francisco Pizarro González, el hijo ilegítimo de un soldado y una mujer pobre, nace en España en 1471 o 1476 (nadie está seguro). Sale para el nuevo mundo en 1509, y acompaña a Balboa en su famoso viaje a través de Panamá en 1513, cuando los europeos ven por primera vez el Océano Pacífico.

Algunos exploradores a Sudamérica cuentan de las tierras ricas y un imperio grande en la región que hoy es Perú. Pizarro oye estos cuentos, y también está inspirado por el éxito de su primo distante en México, Hernán Cortés.

Pizarro recibe permiso y ayuda del gobernador de Panamá, y dirige dos intentos a Perú en 1524 y 1526. Los dos intentos fallan, pero los conquistadores ven y oyen más prueba de las riquezas y el poder del imperio inca.

Cuando el nuevo gobernador de Panamá rechaza la petición de Pizarro para una tercera expedición, el conquistador va a España para pedirle directamente al rey, Carlos I. El rey le da permiso, y en 1532 Pizarro llega otra vez en la costa de Sudamérica.

El imperador inca, Atahualpa, acaba de derrotar las fuerzas de su hermano en una guerra civil. Con más de 80,000 soldados, él no tiene miedo de Pizarro y sus 168 españoles. Atahualpa no se somete a las demandas de Pizarro, y la batalla de Cajamarca empieza. Pizarro gana la batalla y captura a Atahualpa.

Pizarro demanda un rescate por Atahualpa: un cuarto lleno de oro, y dos cuartos de plata. Los incas pagan el rescate, pero Pizarro todavía mata al rey inca. Ahora Pizarro aumenta su ejército con los nativos, e invade la capital inca, Cuzco, en 1533.

Después de la conquista, Pizarro funda la ciudad de Lima. Ahora ricos, poderosos y famosos, Pizarro y su compañero Diego de Almagro pelean para el control de Cuzco. Pizarro gana, y mata a su viejo aliado en 1538. Tres años después, el hijo de Almagro asesina a Pizarro para vengarse.

Francisco Pizarro Gonzalez, the illegitimate son of a soldier and a poor woman, is born in Spain in 1471 or 1476 (nobody is sure). He leaves for the New World in 1509, and accompanies Balboa on his famous trip across Panama in 1513, when the Europeans see the Pacific Ocean for the first time.

Some explorers to South America tell of the rich lands and a large empire in the region that today is Peru. Pizarro hears these stories, and also he is inspired by the success of his distant cousin in Mexico, Hernan Cortés.

Pizarro receives permission and help from the governor of Panama, and directs two attempts to Peru in 1524 and 1526. The two attempts fail, but the conquerors see and hear more proof of the riches and power of the Inca Empire.

When the new governor of Panama refuses the request of Pizarro for a third expedition, the conquistador goes to Spain to ask the King, Charles I, directly. The king gives him permission, and in 1532 Pizarro arrives another time on the coast of South America.

The Inca emperor, Atahualpa, has just defeated the forces of his brother in a civil war. With more than 80,000 soldiers, he is not afraid of Pizarro and his 168 Spaniards. Atahualpa does not submit to Pizarro’s demands, and the Battle of Cajamarca begins. Pizarro wins the battle and captures Atahualpa.

Pizarro demands a ransom for Atahualpa: a room full of gold, and two rooms of silver. The Incas pay the ransom, but Pizarro still kills the king of the Incas. Now Pizarro augments his army with the natives, and he invades the Inca capital, Cuzco, in 1533.

After the conquest, Pizarro founds the city of Lima. Now rich, powerful and famous, Pizarro and his companion Diego de Almagro fight for control of Cuzco. Pizarro wins, and kills his former ally in 1538. Three years later, the son of Almagro assassinates Pizarro to get vengeance.

Preguntas Básicas

1. What famous expedition did Pizarro participate in with another famous explorer?

2. Who was Pizarro’s famous relative who inspired him to conquest?

3. How did Pizarro use treachery to get rich and conquer the Incas?