Francisco Pizarro and the Conquest of Peru

by Frederick A. OBER (1849 - 1913)

How Atahuallpa was Captured

Francisco Pizarro and the Conquest of Peru

Francisco Pizarro (1471 - 1541) was born into poverty, the illegitimate son of a Spanish soldier. After a brief career as a swineherd, he volunteered to join an expedition to the colony of Darien in Panama. He rose through the ranks to become right hand man of the governor. After hearing rumours of a rich country of gold to the south, he received permission from the king of Spain to lead an expedition to explore and attempt to conquer the Peruvian empire. This biography describes how, with an army of only 168 men, he was able to subjugate an entire nation. - Summary by Patrick Eaton


Listen next episodes of Francisco Pizarro and the Conquest of Peru:
How Pizarro was Assassinated , In the City of the Sun , In the Heart of Peru , Quarrels of the Conquerors , The Downfall of Almagro , The Inca and his Murderers , The Inca Raises his Standard , The Prisoner and his Ransom