Illustration from an early 17th century Peruvian codex depicting a fleet of ships helmed by Pizarro. Francisco Pizarro Gonz獺lez (1471 or 1476 - June 26, 1541) was a Spanish conquistador. Pizarro undertook two expeditions to conquer the Incan Empire in 1524 and in 1526. Both failed as a result of native hostilities, bad weather, and lack of provisions. In 1528, he reached northern Peru and found the natives rich with precious metals. He returned to Spain and appealed directly to King Charles I. He received a license for the expedition and authority over any lands conquered during the venture. He was joined by family and friends, and the expedition left Panama in 1530. Under his leadership, the Incan ruler Atahualpa was executed and the Spanish took control of the Incan capital of Cuzco. In 1535, Pizarro founded the city of Lima. Quarrels between Pizarro and his comrade-in-arms Diego Almagro culminated in the Battle of Las Salinas. Almagro was captured and executed, and on June 26th, 1541, his son assassinated Pizarro in Lima.