Diego de Almagro

Early Life

Diego de Almagro was born around 1475 in the town of Almagro, located in the Kingdom of Castile in present-day Spain. Little is known about his early life, but it is believed that he was the illegitimate son of Juan de Montenegro and Elvira Gutiérrez. He grew up in a humble environment, and his father, a nobleman, did not recognize him as his son.

An old, rustic town with cobblestone streets and traditional Spanish architecture.

Journey to the Americas

In 1514, Almagro embarked on his first voyage to the New World, joining the expedition led by Pedro Arias de Ávila. He arrived in Panama, where he would later play a crucial role in the establishment of the city of Panama in 1519. Almagro was known for his leadership skills and was appointed as the mayor and magistrate of the city.

Partnership with Francisco Pizarro

In 1524, Almagro formed a partnership with Francisco Pizarro and Hernando de Luque, a priest. The trio planned to explore and conquer the lands south of Panama, which were rumored to be rich in gold. This was the beginning of the famous expeditions that led to the discovery and conquest of the Inca Empire.

Conquest of Peru

The first expedition to Peru was launched in 1524 but was unsuccessful due to the harsh conditions and resistance from the native population. Despite the initial failure, Almagro and Pizarro launched a second expedition in 1526, which reached as far as the San Juan River. The third and final expedition, launched in 1531, led to the successful conquest of the Inca Empire.

Governorship of New Toledo

In 1534, Almagro was appointed as the governor of New Toledo, a vast territory south of Peru. However, disputes over the boundaries of this territory led to conflicts with Pizarro, culminating in the War of Las Salinas in 1538.

War of Las Salinas and Death

The War of Las Salinas was a civil war between the followers of Almagro and Pizarro. The war ended in 1538 with the defeat of Almagro's forces. Almagro was captured and, despite pleas for mercy, was executed by garrote in July 1538.

Legacy

Diego de Almagro is remembered as one of the key figures in the Spanish conquest of the Americas. His explorations and conquests opened up vast territories for Spanish colonization and brought about the downfall of the Inca Empire. Despite his controversial actions and the conflicts he was involved in, his contributions to the history of exploration and colonization are undeniable.