Who was Francisco Pizarro?

Francisco Pizarro is best known as the conqueror of the Inca Empire, which he successfully defeated in the early 16th century. His expeditions into South America led to the capture and execution of the Inca emperor Atahualpa, which played a critical role in the fall of the Inca civilization. Pizarro's actions were driven by the desire for wealth, particularly in gold and silver, which he sought to bring back to Spain. His historical significance lies in the impact he had on the indigenous peoples and the subsequent Spanish colonization of the region.

While he was indeed a conquistador, his focus was primarily on the Inca Empire in Peru rather than North America, which distinguishes his efforts from those who explored or settled that region. Additionally, while trade routes were an important aspect of Spanish exploration, Pizarro's claim to fame revolves more around conquest than commercial activity. Lastly, he cannot be categorized as an Aztec leader since he was a Spanish conquistador rather than a member of the Aztec civilization, which was primarily centered in present-day Mexico.