The first Indians he met were so terrified by the sight of his horses that they instantly submitted. Approaching at Tunja the court of one of the great chiefs of the Chibchas, he was allowed to enter the palace, but was treacherously attacked as he was about to em brace the chief. The latter was taken, after much slaughter, and Ximenez became possessed of vast riches. From Tunja he marched upon Iraca, the sacred city of the nation. Here two Spanish soldiers, in pursuit of plunder, accidentally set fire to the great temple of the sun, which had been captured by Ximinez, and it perished with the city after burning sev eral days. Returning toward Tunja, he fought a desperate battle at Borja against 12,000 na whom he defeated, after which he made treaties with several caciques, who voluntarily submitted. A usurping chief was then pro claimed king; hut was required to deliver the treasures of his predecessor to the Spaniards. After a short imprisonment he promised within 40 class to fill a room with gold and emeralds, but not keeping his promise, was put to death with cruel tortures. On 6 Aug. 1538 Ximenez founded the city of Santa Ff de Bogota.
He was presently joined by Benalcazar, the lieutenant of Pizarro, and Federman'', who presently conspired against Ximencz 1.ut with
out much success. The three then returned to Europe to lay their claims before Charles V, hut while Benalcazar was made governor of Pupa yin, Federrnann and Ximenez gained nothing. Later, however, Ximenez was made marshal of New Granada and returning to Bogota in 1551, seems to hese protected the people against the rapacity of Spanish officials. About 1561 he was named by the Spanish gosernment adeloritudo. or governor-in-chief of the king dom of New Granada, and induced to fit out an expedition in search of El Dorado, beyond the territories of Pauto and Paparnene. To this enterprise he dcsoted three years, spend ing immense sums in fitting it out, but return ing with only a handful of followers. In 1572 he founded the city of Santa Agueda, 21 miles from Mariquita. lie died of leprosy and by his will declared himself poor and forbade the erection of any but the simplest monument oser his grave. Hts remains were remosed to Bogota in 1597, Ile left a manu script work entitled 'Sermones' and a 'Corn pendio historial,' both of which have been lost. Consult Acosta, J., rHistoria del des cubrimiento y colonizacion de la Nueva Gran ada' (1849); de Plaza, Antonio, para la historia de la Nueva Granada' (Bo gota 1850).