Origins & Early Life

Hernando Pizarro y de Vargas (Spanish: [eɾˈnando piˈθaro]; c. 1504 – c. 1578) was a Spanish conquistador and one of the Pizarro brothers who ruled over Peru. He was the only one of the Pizarro brothers who was not killed in Peru, and eventually returned to Spain.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

As one of the Pizarro brothers he was related to Francisco, Juan and Gonzalo Pizarro. He had two full sisters, Inés Pizarro y de Vargas and Isabel Pizarro y de Vargas, married to Gonzalo de Tapia. Through his father he was a second cousin of Hernán Cortés. Starting in 1532 and succeeding in 1533, Francisco Pizarro conquered the Inca Empire and claimed what we know today as Peru for Spain. In the 16th century the Incas were conquered by the Spaniards, Hernando Pizarro, who was the brother of the chief commander of the conquest Francisco Pizarro, writes a letter to the royal audience of Santo Domino about the expedition.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Hernando Pizarro wrote this letter on November 1533. Hernando Pizarro starts his letter by explaining how the government founded a town called San Miguel and then proceeded to search for the town of Cajamarca whose rulers have been fighting. In this letter, we get a...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Gonzalo Pizarro — Contemporary (Born in 1502) (1502): Spanish conquistador, brother of Francisco Pizarro, key figure in the conquest of the Inca Empire.
• Benedetto Castelli — Contemporary (Born in 1578) (1578): Italian mathematician known for his association with Galileo and his work in hydraulics.
• Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor — Contemporary (Born in 1578) (1578): Holy Roman Emperor, King of Bohemia, and key figure in the Counter-Reformation.
• Uesugi Kenshin — Contemporary (Died in 1578) (1578): Powerful daimyo of the Sengoku period, famed for military genius and administration.
• Isabella I of Castile — Historical peer (Died in 1504) (1504): Queen of Castile and León; architect of the unified Spanish Empire.
• John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland — Historical peer (Born in 1504) (1504): Powerful English politician and military leader who governed Edward VI.
• William Harvey — Historical peer (Born in 1578) (1578): Pioneering physician who detailed systemic and pulmonary blood circulation.
• John Hawkins (naval commander) — Historical peer (Born in 1532) (1532): Pioneering English naval commander, slave trader, and architect of the Elizabethan Navy.
• Orlando di Lasso — Historical peer (Born in 1532) (1532): Master Franco-Flemish composer of the late Renaissance, known for prolific output.
• Atahualpa — Historical peer (Died in 1533) (1533): The last effective Inca Emperor, whose reign marked the end of the great Andean civilization.
• 1502 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1502
• 1578 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1578