Pedro de Ursúa
Encyclopedia
Pedro de Ursúa was a Spanish Basque conquistador
from Baztan (Navarre) in the 16th century. In Panama, Ursúa subdued a Cimarron
(ex-slave) revolt by tricking Cimarron leader Bayano
into coming unprepared to negotiate a truce, but then captured him and sent him back to King Philip II of Spain
. Ursúa also searched the Amazon region for El Dorado
and the Omaguas
with Lope de Aguirre
. Aguirre, commonly portrayed as a monomaniac, assassinated Ursúa: perhaps because Ursúa wouldn't let him take his mistress
on the expedition, perhaps merely as a ploy for power.
A fiction
al version of Ursúa and Aguirre's story is depicted in the Werner Herzog
film, Aguirre, der Zorn Gottes
and in the Carlos Saura
film El Dorado
.
The novel "Ursúa" by William Ospina has become one of the main references about Pedro de Ursúa. The book provides details about the life of Ursúa and makes a general account of the events happening in the New World during the mid 16th century.
Conquistador
Conquistadors were Spanish soldiers, explorers, and adventurers who brought much of the Americas under the control of Spain in the 15th to 16th centuries, following Europe's discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus in 1492...
from Baztan (Navarre) in the 16th century. In Panama, Ursúa subdued a Cimarron
Cimarron people (Panama)
The Cimarrons or Cimarrones in Panama, were enslaved Africans who had escaped from their Spanish masters and lived together as outlaws. In the 1570s, they allied with Sir Francis Drake of England to defeat the Spanish conquest and plunder their riches....
(ex-slave) revolt by tricking Cimarron leader Bayano
Bayano
Bayano, also known as Ballano or Vaino, was an African enslaved by Spaniards who led the biggest of the slave revolts of 16th century Panama. Captured from the Mandinka tribe in West Africa, it is alleged that he and his comrades were Muslim...
into coming unprepared to negotiate a truce, but then captured him and sent him back to King Philip II of Spain
Philip II of Spain
Philip II was King of Spain, Portugal, Naples, Sicily, and, while married to Mary I, King of England and Ireland. He was lord of the Seventeen Provinces from 1556 until 1581, holding various titles for the individual territories such as duke or count....
. Ursúa also searched the Amazon region for El Dorado
El Dorado
El Dorado is the name of a Muisca tribal chief who covered himself with gold dust and, as an initiation rite, dived into a highland lake.Later it became the name of a legendary "Lost City of Gold" that has fascinated – and so far eluded – explorers since the days of the Spanish Conquistadors...
and the Omaguas
Omaguas
The Cambeba people are an indigenous people in Brazil's Amazon valley. They speak the Omagua language...
with Lope de Aguirre
Lope de Aguirre
Lope de Aguirre was a Basque Spanish conquistador in South America. Nicknamed El Loco, 'the Madman', Aguirre is best known for his final expedition, down the Amazon river, in search of the mythical El Dorado...
. Aguirre, commonly portrayed as a monomaniac, assassinated Ursúa: perhaps because Ursúa wouldn't let him take his mistress
Mistress (lover)
A mistress is a long-term female lover and companion who is not married to her partner; the term is used especially when her partner is married. The relationship generally is stable and at least semi-permanent; however, the couple does not live together openly. Also the relationship is usually,...
on the expedition, perhaps merely as a ploy for power.
A fiction
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
al version of Ursúa and Aguirre's story is depicted in the Werner Herzog
Werner Herzog
Werner Herzog Stipetić , known as Werner Herzog, is a German film director, producer, screenwriter, actor, and opera director.He is often considered as one of the greatest figures of the New German Cinema, along with Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Margarethe von Trotta, Volker Schlöndorff, Werner...
film, Aguirre, der Zorn Gottes
Aguirre, the Wrath of God
Aguirre, the Wrath of God is a 1972 West German adventure film written and directed by Werner Herzog. Klaus Kinski stars in the title role. The soundtrack was composed and performed by German progressive/Krautrock band Popol Vuh...
and in the Carlos Saura
Carlos Saura
Carlos Saura Atarés is a Spanish film director and photographer.-Early life:Born into a family of artists , he developed his artistic sense in childhood as a photography enthusiast.He obtained his directing diploma in Madrid in 1957 at the Institute of Cinema Research and Studies...
film El Dorado
El Dorado (1988 film)
El Dorado is a 1988 Spanish film written and directed by Carlos Saura. It was entered into the 1988 Cannes Film Festival.-Synopsis:The film is about an expedition down the Orinoco and Amazon rivers in 1560 by Spanish soldiers searching for the fabled city of gold, El Dorado...
.
The novel "Ursúa" by William Ospina has become one of the main references about Pedro de Ursúa. The book provides details about the life of Ursúa and makes a general account of the events happening in the New World during the mid 16th century.