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Pizarro Implored to Spare Captives
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Pizarro Implored to Spare Captives
A native mediator stands in front of two Peruvian captives, imploring Pizarro to spare their lives. Date: 1532
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Media ID 23088106
© Mary Evans Picture Library
Americas Captives Francisco Lives Mediator Peru Peruvian Pizarro Prisoners Save Spare
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative image captures a pivotal moment in the history of the Spanish conquest of Peru, as depicted in 'Pizarro Implored to Spare Captives,' a print from Mary Evans Prints Online. The year is 1532, and Francisco Pizarro, the Spanish conquistador, stands before two Peruvian captives, their faces etched with fear and desperation. A native mediator, dressed in traditional attire, steps forward, imploring Pizarro to spare their lives. The scene unfolds against the backdrop of the South American landscape, with lush vegetation and a clear blue sky. Pizarro, a ruthless and ambitious explorer, had recently led his men to the capture of the Inca emperor Atahualpa, who was held in the midst of negotiations for the release of Spanish prisoners and the payment of a ransom. However, Pizarro, driven by greed and a thirst for power, demanded the gold and silver of the Inca treasury in exchange for Atahualpa's freedom. When the ransom was not met, Pizarro ordered the execution of thousands of Inca nobles and commoners. The native mediator in this print represents the hope for mercy and compassion in the face of conquest and colonization. His intervention offers a brief respite for the two captives, who may have been spared due to the intercession of this brave intermediary. The image serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities of colonial encounters, where power and compassion intersected in the most unexpected ways. This print, with its rich historical context, offers a glimpse into the tumultuous history of the Spanish conquest of the Americas and the role of indigenous peoples in shaping the course of events. It is a powerful reminder of the human capacity for both cruelty and compassion, and the enduring impact of colonialism on the peoples of the Americas.
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