 |
 |
 |
          |
 |
1524 to 1528 - First contact 1524 The first expedition  Pizarro and Almagro set sail on their first expedition
from Panama with 80 men and 4 horses. The expedition was unsuccesful,
soon becoming involved in a skirmish with natives during which
Almagro lost an eye. After reaching a place they named Port
of Hunger, for obvious reasons, the expedition returned to Panama.1526 The second expedition Pizarro and Almagro set sail on their second expedition from Panama with 160 men and a few horses. Crossing the equator for the first time in the Pacific, they encountered and captured an Inca balsa raft fitted with fine cotton sails. "They were carrying many pieces of silver and gold including crowns and diadems, belts and bracelets clothing coloured with cochineal, crimson, blue and yellow emeralds and chalcedonies and other jewels" Three men were captured from the raft and retained to be trained as interpreters for the Spanish. 1527 The "thirteen of glory" Pizarro moved his expedition south to explore the coast of Ecuador, but disease and the lack of food caused the death of many of the Spanish.  Those remaining alive secretly appealed to
the Governor of Panama to save them from Pizarro "the
slaughterer". Incensed by this, Pizarro drew a line in the sand with his sword and famously declared:"Comrades and friends, there lies the part that represents death, hardship, hunger this side represents comfort. Here you return to Panama to be poor; there, you may go forward to Peru to be rich. Choose which best becomes you as good Spaniards!" Only twelve men crossed the line to join Pizarro and together they became the "thirteen of glory". 1528 The Inca city of Tumbez Pizarro and his twelve companions sailed further south into the Gulf of Guayaquil and discovered the Inca city of Tumbez. Here at last, in the form of a well-ordered town, was evidence of the advanced civilization for which they searched. An Inca noble visited the ship and one of the Spaniards elected to stay behind in the city. Reports of these white strangers with "beards and a ferocious appearance" were sent to the ruling Inca, Huayna-Capac. "These men were so bold that they did not fear dangerous things; they were stuffed into their clothes, which covered them from head to foot... the strangers traveled across the sea in large wooden houses". After Tumbez, the expedition continued south and discovered two more Inca cities before returning to Panama. Unable to arouse the enthusiasm of the Governor with the potential for conquest, Pizarro sailed back to Spain to seek royal approval from King Charles. |
 |
||||
 |
 |
||||||
 |
 |
