And the monarch to him for this
An edge the size of Europe, Overshadowed by wealth
And Naples and Brabant, Granted a hemp tie:
I was at the market courtyard, Like a thief, Balboa is whipped up
In the middle of San Sebastian.
Promotional video:
- G. Heine. "Bimini"
And the country here is such that if the one to whom the government is entrusted falls asleep, then at his will he will not wake up, for the ruler here must be awake.
- From a letter from Balboa to King Ferdinand of Spain
Vasco Nunez de Balboa - (born 1475 - died January 12, 1519) Spanish conquistador, navigator and colonizer. In 1513, he was the first Europeans to cross the Panama (Darien) Isthmus and discover the Pacific Ocean.
Balboa trait
Vasco Nunez de Balboa is one of the brightest and most typical representatives among the discoverers and conquerors of the New World. Vindictive, cruel and insidious, but possessing amazing courage, courage and undoubted qualities of a leader, he made one of the most important geographical discoveries of that time - he reached the Pacific Ocean.
Ambition, adventurism, complete lack of scrupulousness in choosing the means to achieve his goal were fully inherent in this man. Although, in this respect, he was not very different from other catchers of luck of his era. About the early period of Balboa's life before arriving in the New World, like most of his compatriot conquistadors, almost nothing is known. He was born around 1474 in the Spanish town of Jerez de los Caballeros and came from a noble but impoverished family.
Escape from Hispaniola
1501 - In the hope of gaining wealth, he arrived as part of the expedition of the conquistador Bastides to the Caribbean coast. Balboa later settled in Hispaniola (Haiti) and took up farming. This not only failed to bring him prosperity, but forced him to flee from creditors. The future conquistador secretly made his way to a ship equipped by the lawyer Enziso, who was going to establish a colony on the Isthmus of Darien.
Enziso was outraged by the presence of an uninvited passenger on board and threatened to drop him off on the first island he came across, but still did not fulfill his threat. And Balboa, who was distinguished by his rancor, after some time settled with him.
Arriving on the coast of the Gulf of Darien, travelers founded the city of Santa Maria de la Antigua del Darien. Enziso, who tried to impose a harsh form of government, angered the colonists. Balboa, who enjoyed great prestige and love of his fellow citizens, was able to revolt and take power into his own hands. The legitimate ruler was sent to Spain for trial.
Leader of the colonists
The new, as we might say now, "informal" leader of the colonists won their sympathy through courage, valor, strength and ability to play on a sense of camaraderie. Eyewitnesses told with admiration how, during the attack of the Indians on a small Spanish detachment, which included the future conqueror of Peru, Francisco Pizarro, the conquistadors were forced to retreat, leaving one of their comrades in the hands of the enemy. Upon learning of what had happened, Balboa exclaimed: “It is a shame for the Spaniards to retreat before the savages and leave their comrade in trouble! Follow me! " They obeyed him, and the prisoner was safely released.
Balboa expeditions in Central America
The Spaniards were also impressed by the terrible massacres of the Indians. Consistent with Spanish-Catholic concepts, Balboa tried to earn the remission of sins by killing pagans. His statement is known: "I have already hanged 30 princelings and I hope to hang even more for the glory of God and the Spanish crown."
After some time, the actual governor of the Nikuez territory arrived in the colony. The colonists, striving for complete independence, greeted him with arms in hand. Nikueza and another 16 people from his entourage were put on a ship that required serious repairs and forced to go to sea. Nobody else heard anything about them. Most likely, the ship sank, taking its small crew into the abyss.
This kind of action was viewed in Spain as high treason. Nevertheless, Balboa petitioned the governor of Hispaniola, the son of Christopher Columbus, Diego, for the confirmation of the conquered lands as his governor. At the same time, realizing the illegality of his actions, he looked for opportunities to earn in some way the favor and forgiveness of the Spanish authorities. And such a case soon presented itself.
While they were waiting for a response from Diego Columbus, the Spaniards, led by Balboa, conquered and explored the surrounding territories. Once, during one of the expeditions, they reached the possessions of one of the Indian leaders - the chiba, who met the strangers with amazing hospitality. The Spaniards were shown a huge palace, surrounded by a stone wall, with numerous rooms and storerooms, where huge reserves of maize, fruits, fish, game and various drinks were stored. They were deeply impressed by the "room of the dead", where along the walls hung mummies of the former Tib rulers, dressed in cotton fabrics and decorated with gold and precious stones.
Vasco Nunez de Balboa declares the South Sea (Pacific Ocean) the property of the Spanish crown
This was the first news about the fabulous Peru, and then an unknown Pizarro heard about it. It was he, and not the hero of this story, who was able to discover and conquer this country. Balboa made his name famous with a less loud but more important discovery.
Some time later, a ship came from San Domingo with the news from Diego Columbus that Balboa had been appointed governor. But at the same time, he learned that an investigation had begun in Spain over the fate of Nicueza, as well as that another governor of the territory was already on his way. Therefore, Balboa, in order to distinguish himself and achieve an advantage over a competitor, decided to hurry with the campaign. From among the colonists, he formed a detachment of 190 people. 600 Indians carried the load. Balboa also took with him huge dogs, whose teeth terrified the natives.
Dangerous hike
1513, September 1 - The Spaniards hit the road. In 120 days, they were able to overcome the fierce resistance of the Indians and the inaccessible area of the Darien Isthmus, cut by chains of high mountains and covered with lush tropical vegetation. The natives hid from enemies on the tops of the trees in wicker huts. Attempts to set fire to their hideouts ended in failure. Then the conquistadors began to cut trees, and the Indians had to part with the gold, in most cases posthumously.
One warlike leader of the Indians blocked the path of the detachment. However, a volley from arquebuses made it clear to what extent aliens are dangerous, "carrying thunder and lightning with them." 600 Katsik warriors were killed, and the noblest Indians were given to be torn apart by dogs. But the Spaniards also suffered heavy losses. Only 66 people survived.
Discovery of the Pacific Ocean
1513, September 29 - the conquistadors led by Balboa were the first among Europeans to see the vastness of the Pacific Ocean from the top of a high ridge. Balboa, not knowing about the discovery of the ocean, called the water area the South Sea and formally annexed it to the possessions of Spain. The bay, which cuts deep into the coast at this point, was named San Miguel after the name of the saint on whose day the discovery fell. At the top of the mountain, they erected a large cairn of stones with a cross at the top. They also drew up a document that described the history of the discovery.
Monument to Vasco Nunez de Balboa on the embankment of Panama
Balboa raised a sword and a banner depicting the Virgin and Child, at whose feet were the coats of arms of Castile and Leon, and, entering the water knee-deep, said: “Long live the glorious and powerful monarchs Don Fernando and Donna Isabella, kings of Castile, Leon and Aragon; in their name, I am thus undeniable and in fact taking possession of all these lands, seas, harbors and islands, with all their kingdoms and regions, for the Crown of Castile. If any prince and ruler, Christian or unfaithful, claims his rights to these lands and seas, I am ready to defend them with arms in my hands in the name of the monarchs of Castile, who alone belong to the dominion and power over this India, over the islands, continents and over these seas from the North Pole to the South, on this side of the equator, from now and forever, as long as the world exists, until the last Last Judgment.
The notary drew up a protocol, which was signed by all the Spaniards. After that, all of the detachment entered the water and were able to make sure that it was salty. Crosses were carved into nearby trees as a sign of the conquest of the country.
For a whole month Balboa and his companions lived on the coast, collecting pearls. Returning in January 1514 to Santa Maria de la Antigua, the conquistador sent the king 300 selected pearls and a message about the discovery of gold, hoping that the monarch would forgive him and establish him as governor. He did not know that Pedrarias de Avila had already been appointed governor of Santa Maria, who was on his way to America. True, the king forgave Balboa and awarded him the title of Adelantado of Panama, which gave him the right to lead military detachments in campaigns of conquest, but did not take into account the ambitious aspirations of Pedrarias.
Arrest and execution
Arriving at the scene, accompanied by 1,500 soldiers, the new governor immediately began an investigation into the Balboa case. The court, however, acquitted that. Balboa was also allowed to prepare for a new expedition to conquer Peru. Who knows, Pizarro could have gotten out of the unknown if the discoverer of the Pacific Ocean succeeded in this venture. However, the enmity between him and Pedrarias did not subside. The governor took advantage of one of Balboa's blunders, accused him of high treason and ordered his arrest. At the same time, Pizarro was instructed to do this.
1517 Balboa executed despite protests from Chief Justice Espinoza. Pedrarias, taking ships that were built by his rival for an expedition to Peru, sailed along the coast of Central America and in the narrowest point of the Darien Isthmus founded the city of Panama.
Balboa's discovery was very significant. Thanks to him, it became quite clear that the land discovered by Christfor Columbus is not India. It also revitalized Fernand Magellan's quest for a passage to the sea separating America from the coveted land of spices.
V. Miroshnikova