Rodrigo Orgóñez

Spanish general and explorer
The basics

Quick Facts

IntroSpanish general and explorer
PlacesSpain
wasExplorer
Gender
Male
Birth1 January 1490, Oropesa, Toledo Province, Castile-La Mancha, Spain
Death26 April 1538Peru (aged 48 years)
The details

Biography

Rodrigo Orgóñez (1490 – 26 April 1538) was Spanish captain under Diego de Almagro.

Born in Oropesa, Rodrigo participated in the Italian Campaigns. He accompanied Francisco de Godoy from Nicaragua when they joined Diego's men in reinforcing Pizarro during the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire.

He proved his loyalty serving as a soldier for 5 years before he was made second in command to conquer and govern the southern portion of the Incan Empire. He helped Almagro in his 1537 coup d'état in Cusco leading the group that surrounded the Amaru Cancha Palace capturing Hernando Pizarro and Gonzalo Pizarro. He later led an army against the Pizarros but was killed in 1538 during the Battle of Las Salinas.

American historian William H. Prescott wrote: "Thus perished as loyal a cavalier, as decided in council, and as bold in action, as ever crossed to the shores of America."

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