Francisco Pizarro Sword, antique silver finish

Francisco Pizarro is best known for his role in the conquest of the Inca Empire in the 16th century. He was a Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that ended Inca rule and allowed the colonization of present-day Peru.

Pizarro is recognized for his crucial role in the fall of the Inca Empire (1533). Together with a small group of men, he managed to defeat a vast and powerful empire. The fall of the Incas came about through the capture and execution of Emperor Atahualpa (1532), which marked the beginning of Spanish rule in South America.

In 1535, Pizarro founded the city of Lima, which later became the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru. Lima remains one of the most important cities in Latin America.

Throughout his career, Pizarro faced several internal disputes with other conquistadors, including Diego de Almagro and Hernando de Luque. These rivalries culminated in the Civil War between Pizarro's followers and Almagro's, which resulted in Almagro's execution.

Pizarro was assassinated in 1541, stabbed to death in his home in Lima, by followers of Diego de Almagro.