Francisco Pizarro

Francisco Pizarro was a Spanish conquistador known for his role in the Spanish conquest of the Incan Empire in the early 16th century. Born around 1471, he led an expedition that captured the Inca ruler Atahualpa in 1532. Pizarro exploited internal conflicts within the Inca and, after demanding a large ransom for Atahualpa's release, executed him. This opened the way for Spanish control over Peru, which significantly enriched Spain. Pizarro founded the city of Lima in 1535, establishing it as the capital of Spanish colonial rule in the region, ultimately shaping South America's history. He was assassinated in 1541.