born 1475, Almagro, Castile
died 1538, Cuzco, Peru
Spanish soldier who played a leading role in the Spanish conquest of Peru.
Following service in the Spanish navy, he arrived in South America in 1524 and, with Francisco Pizarro , led the expedition that conquered the Inca empire in what is now Peru. Bitter enmity arose between the two men, and Almagro imprisoned Pizarro's two brothers for insubordination during an Indian rebellion. Pizarro then defeated Almagro's army and had his former friend put to death.