Antique Print-PIZARRO-ALMAGRO-LUQUE-CONQUEST-PERU-Goeree-De Bry-Van der Aa-1707

The Spanish conquistadors Francisco Pizarro, Diego de Almagro, and Hernando de Luque are seated at a table in discussion, while in the background, soldiers and ships prepare for an expedition. The scene captures the strategic planning of the conquest, with maritime elements and Spanish military presence. Francisco Pizarro Gonzalez (c. 1471 or 1476 – 1541) was a Spanish conquistador who conquered the Inca Empire. Reports of Peru’s riches and Cortes’s success in Mexico tantalized Pizarro and he undertook two expeditions to conquer the Incan Empire in 1524 and in 1526. Both failed as a result of native hostilities, bad weather, and lack of provisions. Pedro de los Rios, the Governor of Panama, made an effort to recall Pizarro, but the conquistador resisted and remained in the south. In April 1528, he reached northern Peru and found the natives rich with precious metals. This discovery gave Pizarro the motivation to plan a third expedition to conquer Peru, and he returned to Panama to make arrangements, but the Governor refused to grant permission for the project. Pizarro returned to Spain to appeal directly to King Charles I. His plea was successful, and he received not only a license for the proposed expedition but considerable authority over any lands conquered during the venture. He was joined by family and friends, and the expedition left Panama in 1530.