PIZARRO, FRANCISCO, the conqueror of Peru, was an illegitimate son of Gonzalo Pizarro, a col. of infantry, and a soldier of some distinction. He was born at Truxillo, in Estremadura, Spain, about 1471. Of his youth, little is known, but it appears that he was wholly neglected by his parents, was taught neither to read nor write, and that in his youth his principal occupation was that of a swineherd. Abandoning this uncon genial employment, he sought the port of Seville, and there embarked to seek fortune in the new world. He was in Hispaniola in 1510; later, he joined Balboa. and was with that cavalier when he crossed the isthmus of Panama. and discovered the Pacific. In 1515 he was engaged in traffic with the natives on the shores of the newly discovered ocean, but was afterward chiefly employed in military service. in which he showed great bravery, resource, and power of endurance. About this time, when a fresh and powerful impulse was given to adventure by the splendid achievement of Cortes, rumors of a country far s., in which gold and silver were said to be as abundant as iron in Spain, reached Panama, and kindled PiZRITO'S ambition. He formed a sort of copart nery with Diego de Almagro, an adventurer and it foundling like himself, and Hernando Luque. an ecclesiastic; and with the funds which the three friends amassed, they were enabled to fit out a small expedition, of which Pizarro took command. In Nov., 1324, he set sail southward, but went no further than Quemada point. Making an agreement (dated Mar. 1, 1526), that all .lands, treasures, vassals. etc., that should be discovered, were to be equally divided between them, the three friends, Pizarro, Ahnagro, and Luque, organized a second expedition, consisting of two ships, which set sail for the south seas. Having reached the port of Santa, lat. about 9° s., and having really discov ered Perm Pizarro returned to Panama, carrying with him, however, many beautiful and valuable ornaments in gold, and silver, which lie had obtained from the friendly and generous natives, as well as specimens of woolen cloths of silky texture and brilliant hue, and some llamas or alpacas. Unable to find in Panama a sufficient number of vol unteers for tile invasion of the newly discovered country, the indomitable adventurer returned to Spain in 1328, narrated the story of his discoveries before Charles V. and his
ministers, described the wealth of the territories, and showed, as proof the gold orna ments and utensils, the manufactures, etc., which he had brought with.him. The result of his representations was, that the right of the discovery and conquest of Peru was secured to him. and honorable titles—among others, those of gover9or and capt.gen. of Peru—were conferred on him. Ou his side. he agreed to raise a certain number of followers, and to scud to the crown of Spain a fifth of all the treasures he should obtain. Returning to Panama, he set sail for Peru for the third and last time, with a well equipped but small force, the number being not more than 180 men, of whom 27 were cavalry. The chief events of the conquest of Peru are detailed at sufficient length in the article PEnu, and also the articles ALMAGRO and ATAHUALPA. Within 10 years the great conquistador made the empire of Peru his own: but lie who had surmounted so many stupendous difficulties, who had broken through the lofty barrier of the Andes, and, with his group of followers, been a victor in so many fields, fell a victim to a con spiracy, June 26, 1541.
Pizarro was a soldier of the most undoubted courage, inflexible constancy of purpose, and infinite resource; yet his success in Pent appears to have been more the result of chance than of calculation. His boldest stroke was the seizure of the Inca Atalmalpa (q.v.), when surrounded by thousands of his followers: but in doing so, he deserved credit neither for originality nor policy, because the idea was borrowed from Cortes, and the step itself was so foolhardy and desperate, that its success can be regarded only as luck. Although on many occasions he appears to have been guided by noble and gen erous impulses, lie was eminently selfish, perfidious, and relentless. His conquest of Pent is a drama in every act of which there is bloodshed: but the drama is at least con sistent to the end. Pizarro lived a life of violence, and died a violent and bloody death.