PIZARRO, GONZALO (c.1505-48). A Spanish conquistador, brother of Francisco .Pizarro. He was active in assisting his brother in the con quest of Peru, and after his escape from Al magro, who threatened to execute him (see preceding article), fought in Chat-ens, and in 1539 became Governor of Quito. Be was sent in 1541 by the 'Marquis to investigate rumors of a land of cinnamon beyond the Andes, After a remarkable journey over the mountains the cin namon trees were found, with no possible means of getting their product to a market. As the ex plorers were threatened with starvation, a boat was built iu which Orellana (q.v.) started down the Napo River to seek food. Failing in this, ()Minna deserted his chief, and became famous for making the first voyage down the Amazon. Pizarro eventually succeeded in getting back to Peru with a small remnant of his force. After the death of the Marquis Gonzalo remained in Peru to look after the interests of the family. When Blasco Nufiez Vela came from Spain with assume the government of Peru and enforce the "new laws," doing away with abuses in the treatment of the Indians, Gonzalo was persuaded to head a revolt against the Viceroy (1544). Ile occupied Cuzco, gathered
a considerable army, and marched on Lima, cap turing the city. The royal audiencia recognized l'izarro as Governor of Peru, and on October 28, 1544, he made a formal entry into Lima. The Viceroy returned from Panama, but was defeated at Anaquito, June 18, 1546, and all the royal party recognized Pizarro or left Peru. Gonzalo devoted himself to developing the mining regions. founding cities, and making large agricultural grants to settlers. In the spring of 1547 Pedro de ha Gasea arrived with a powerful force to the royal power. Gonzalo, mustering his forces, marched against the royalists near Lake Titicaca, where he completely defeated them, October 26, 1547. Gasca soon collected his forces and marched on Cuzco. The armies met on the plain of Sacsalmana, April. 1548. and as the battle was about to begin most of Gonzalo's best troops went over to the enemy. Realizing the situation, Pizarro followed surrendering him self. Gasca promptly called a council of war, which condemned Pizarro to death, and he was beheaded a few days afterwards.