In the early 16th century, Spanish adventurers swarmed over the islands of the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and South America. Portuguese explorers and merchants pushed into the Indian Ocean and beyond to the Spice Islands of the South Pacific. The names of the leaders of these overseas conquests are well known: Hernán Cortés, Francisco Pizarro, Hernando de Soto, Afonso de Albuquerque, and Ferdinand Magellan. This audiobook explores the details of their incredible lives in service of their monarchs and personal wealth.
Conquistadors set about to acquire gold, land, and monopolies in lucrative trade. In doing so, they systematically destroyed indigenous civilizations wherever they encountered them. This audiobook explores the negative aspects of early European exploration. When a local population had been pacified, some conquistadors attempted to dispense with competition among their own men. Listen to how one of Francisco Pizarro's lieutenants rose up against him soon after conquering Peru. This audiobook presents the conquistadors in a new light. This introductory guide has been created in a neutral tone, presenting the facts as they are.