Gonzalo Pizarro
Spanish conquistador who led a mutiny and was executed.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Gonzalo Pizarro y Alonso (1510 – 10 April 1548) was a Spanish conquistador and the younger paternal half brother of Francisco Pizarro, who led the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire. He was one of the most corrupt, brutal, and ruthless conquistadors of the New World, and his actions contributed to the large-scale rebellion of the Inca. He is also known for leading an expedition that resulted in the European discovery of the Amazon River by Francisco de Orellana, and for leading a mutiny against the New Laws, which ultimately led to his execution.
- born
- 1510, Trujillo, Spain
- died
- 10 April 1548, Jaquijahuana near Cuzco
- field
- Conquistador
- nationality
- Spanish
- known_for
- Conquest of the Inca Empire, expedition to the Land of Cinnamon, mutiny against the New Laws
Lore & Background
Gonzalo Pizarro accompanied his eldest brother Francisco in his third expedition for the conquest of Peru in 1530. After the capture and execution of Inca emperor Atahualpa, Gonzalo and his brother Juan were made regidores of Cuzco on 24 March 1534. Along with his brothers Juan and Hernando, Gonzalo ruled Cuzco as a dictatorship dominated by greed, corruption, and brutality, torturing and executing those who refused Spanish rule. Gonzalo raped the Inca queen Cura Ocllo, which angered Manco Inca Yupanqui and led to a large-scale rebellion. The Incas temporarily captured Cuzco on May 6, 1536, but were later defeated by Gonzalo and Juan. When Diego de Almagro returned from Chile, he captured and imprisoned Gonzalo and Hernando on 8 April 1537. Gonzalo escaped and later helped defeat Almagro at the Battle of Las Salinas, leading to Almagro's execution.
Reader's Guide
Gonzalo Pizarro's significance lies in his role as a key figure in the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire and the subsequent colonial conflicts. His brutal rule in Cuzco, including the rape of the Inca queen, directly provoked a major Inca rebellion that temporarily recaptured the city. His expedition east of Quito, though a failure for him, led to Francisco de Orellana's discovery of the Amazon River, a landmark event in European exploration. His leadership of the mutiny against the New Laws represented a major challenge to Spanish royal authority in Peru, demonstrating the tensions between conquistadors seeking to exploit native labor and the Crown's attempts to impose control. His defeat and execution marked the end of the Pizarro brothers' dominance in Peru and the consolidation of royal power. His legacy is that of a ruthless conquistador whose actions both advanced and destabilized Spanish colonization.
Did You Know?
- Gonzalo Pizarro was the younger paternal half brother of Francisco Pizarro and the older full brother of Juan Pizarro.
- He raped the Inca queen Cura Ocllo, which helped provoke a large-scale Inca rebellion.
- He led an expedition in 1541 that resulted in Francisco de Orellana discovering the Amazon River.
- He was beheaded on the field of battle after most of his army deserted him before the battle of Jaquijahuana.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Gonzalo Pizarro?
Gonzalo Pizarro y Alonso (1510–1548) was a Spanish conquistador from Trujillo and the younger paternal half brother of Francisco Pizarro. He took part in the conquest of the Inca Empire and became infamous for the extreme cruelty and corruption he directed against Indigenous communities.
What is Gonzalo Pizarro most known for?
He is remembered for conquering the Inca Empire, commanding the expedition that produced the first European discovery of the Amazon River, and leading a violent mutiny against the Crown's New Laws. His brutality was a major catalyst for the large-scale Inca rebellion.
How does Gonzalo Pizarro's story end?
After his armed revolt against the New Laws, Gonzalo was defeated at the Battle of Jaquijahuana near Cuzco. He was captured and executed on 10 April 1548.
Why is Gonzalo Pizarro important in colonial history?
His exploitation and violence helped trigger the Inca uprising, and his deep-Amazon expedition yielded the first European sighting of the Amazon River. His mutiny also exposed how much unchecked power individual conquistadors could wield over colonial governance in Peru.
What was the 'Land of Cinnamon' expedition?
Gonzalo Pizarro led a search for the fabled Land of Cinnamon and El Dorado deep in the Amazon basin. During that trek, his subordinate Francisco de Orellana followed the river to the sea, completing the first known European traverse of the Amazon.
More in Explorers_And_Conquistadors 1-24
Elsewhere in the Explorers_And_Conquistadors universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record