Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca
Most peoples' exposure to world history is limited to several classes in school and action films. This creates an aura of glamour and excitement, which is far from the reality that conquistadors such as Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca experienced. In light of the intolerable hardships that many of these early explorers were forced to endure, what motivated men like de Vaca to join such perilous adventures? Cabeza de Vaca's life and journey to North America are intriguing because through his extended encounters with the Native Americans he became known as the compassionate conquistador.Cabeza de Vaca was born in 1490 to Spanish nobility; his ancestors being warriors and explores. Cabeza joined the army in his teens and distinguished himself as a fine officer. He was a respected veteran and dedicated to his country and the King when he was appointed treasurer and second-in-command of the 1527 expedition to the New World (Bishop). De Vaca was a career military man and it was an honor to accept the King's appointment to conquer new lands (the whole Gulf Coast of North America) for his country, Spain. He had seen the hero's welcome and the great wealth received by the lucky ones returning victoriousl
He tells of 18 months with one group of Indians where "the greatest luxury I enjoyed was on the day they would give me a skin to scrape, because I scraped it very deep in order to eat the parings, which would last me two or three days. " (De Vaca) Cannibalism was noted among some. The incredible hardships of these explorations are hard to believe. So why did Cabeza de Vaca and others go along on the treks? The reasons are many: family heritage, love for the country, obedience to the King, ardent devotion to God, and the desire for fame and fortune. Were de Vaca's goals and dreams realized? In June 1536, when de Vaca and company made it to Mexico City, they were given a heroes welcome and he was honored a year later when he returned to Spain. "(De Vaca) He desired to bring the Indians of the New World under Spanish law in a just and humane way.
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