Summary
Overview
This episode launches an epic series on the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire, beginning with Francisco Pizarro's early expeditions down the Pacific coast of South America in the 1520s. The hosts trace Pizarro's background as an illiterate conquistador from Extremadura, his partnership with Diego de Almagro, and their discovery of evidence pointing to a wealthy civilization. Meanwhile, the Inca Empire—stretching 2,500 miles and ruling millions—has been devastated by smallpox and torn apart by civil war between brothers Huascar and Atahualpa. As Pizarro's small band of roughly 168 Spaniards advances into Peru in late 1532, they find an empire divided and vulnerable, setting the stage for one of history's most extraordinary conquests.
Francisco Pizarro: The Illiterate Conquistador
Francisco Pizarro was born around 1478 in Trujillo, Extremadura, as the illegitimate son of an infantry officer and a servant girl. Unlike Hernán Cortés, Pizarro never learned to read or write, though he was welcomed at the Pizarro family mansion. In 1502, he sailed to Hispaniola and built a reputation as a tough soldier willing to do what was necessary—including massacring native populations. By the 1520s, Pizarro had settled in Panama City with his own estate, but remained restless despite approaching middle age.
- Pizarro born 1478 in Trujillo, Extremadura as illegitimate son of infantry officer
- Never learned to read or write, unlike Cortés; later mocked as former pig herder
- Sailed to Hispaniola in 1502, became soldier known for massacring Tainos
- By 1520s settled in Panama City with estate (encomienda) but remained restless
" He was a good companion without any vanity or pomposity. "
" He was kindly and gentle by nature and never said a hard word of anyone. "
The Famous Thirteen and the Line in the Sand
In 1524, Pizarro formed a partnership with priest Hernando de Luque and fellow conquistador Diego de Almagro to explore southward. After a disastrous first expedition, Pizarro's second voyage in 1526 became legendary. When ordered to return to Panama from the desert island Isla de Gallo, Pizarro drew a line in the sand and challenged his men to choose between comfort in Panama or riches in Peru. Only twelve men crossed the line to join him, becoming immortalized as "the Famous Thirteen" who would stay on the island for months before finally discovering evidence of the Inca civilization.
- Partnership formed in 1524 with Almagro and priest Luque to explore south
- Pilot Bartolome Ruiz captures raft full of gold ornaments, tweezers, mirrors and rubies
- Pizarro draws line in sand when ordered home; only 12 men cross to his side
- The 13 survive months on desert island before final expedition to Peru
" Comrades and friends, on one side lies comfort, on the other lies death, hardship, hunger, nakedness, rain and abandonment. On that side, you return to Panama to be poor. On the other, you go to Peru and become rich. The choice is yours. "
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