Conquistador
New World conqueror
A conquistador was a Spanish soldier-explorer who participated in the conquest of the Americas in the 16th century.
Cortés in Mexico and Pizarro in Peru are the archetypal conquistadors—men who toppled indigenous empires with small forces, superior weapons, and devastating diseases.
The word comes from Spanish for conqueror.
Used figuratively for anyone who conquers aggressively: a conquistador of the business world.
Journey by sea
- expeditionOrganized exploratory journey
- discoveryAct of finding something
- New WorldWestern Hemisphere landmasses
- AmericasWestern Hemisphere landmasses
navigation · landfall · uncharted · frontier · route · journey · caravel · coastline
Iberian legislative assemblies
- PizarroConquistador of Peru
- invasionForcible entry into territory
- colonizationForeign territorial takeover
- subjugationForcing into submission
empire · territory · expedition · campaign · siege · victory · defeat · Tenochtitlan
Protective combat covering
- helmetProtective head covering
- swordHilted fighting blade
- crossbowStock-mounted bow mechanism
- musketMuzzle-loaded infantry firearm
cavalry · infantry · siege · warfare · Toledo steel · morion · cuirass · lance
Iberian Peninsula country
- viceroyRoyal colonial governor
- encomiendaForced indigenous labor grant
- missionPurpose-driven task
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
colony · tribute · conversion · exploitation · gold · silver · plantation · hacienda
What's passed down
- controversyProlonged public disagreement
- colonialismDomination through foreign settlement
- indigenousOriginating in a region
- mestizoBiracial Latin American
encounter · devastation · genocide · disease · smallpox · epidemic · resistance · Aztec
voyage
Journey by sea
- expeditionOrganized exploratory journey
- discoveryAct of finding something
- New WorldWestern Hemisphere landmasses
Americas · navigation · landfall · uncharted · frontier · route · journey · caravel · coastline · mapping
Cortes
Iberian legislative assemblies
- PizarroConquistador of Peru
- invasionForcible entry into territory
- colonizationForeign territorial takeover
subjugation · empire · territory · expedition · campaign · siege · victory · defeat · Tenochtitlan · Cusco
armor
Protective combat covering
musket · cavalry · infantry · siege · warfare · Toledo steel · morion · cuirass · lance · pike
Spain
Iberian Peninsula country
- viceroyRoyal colonial governor
- encomiendaForced indigenous labor grant
- missionPurpose-driven task
settlement · colony · tribute · conversion · exploitation · gold · silver · plantation · hacienda · Peru
legacy
What's passed down
- controversyProlonged public disagreement
- colonialismDomination through foreign settlement
- indigenousOriginating in a region
mestizo · encounter · devastation · genocide · disease · smallpox · epidemic · resistance · Aztec · Inca
- ExplorersColumbus, Christopher Columbus, Magellan, Cortez, Marco Polo
- Famous SpaniardsRafael Nadal, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Miguel de Cervantes, Antonio Banderas
Conquistadorsettler
One who colonizes territory
colonist · homesteader · pilgrim · missionary · farmer
Conquistadorconquered
Defeated and took control
subjugated · colonized · vanquished · native · captive
Conquistadordefender
One who guards another
liberator · freedom fighter · protector · resistance fighter · advocate