Character/Date | Short Biography |
---|---|
Roman Hispania | |
d. 229 BC |
Carthage's most able general in first Punic War; father of Hannibal. |
247–182 BC |
Carthaginian general, invaded and laid waste to Italy for sixteen years. |
234–149 BC |
Roman hero of second Punic War. Led armies in Spain and Africa. Defeated Hannibal at Zama. |
185–129 BC |
Led the siege of Carthage during the third Punic War. |
234–149 BC |
Roman censor, urged destruction of Carthage before third Punic War. |
d. 179 BC |
Celt-Iberian chief of the Belli tribe during conquest of Hispania. Defeated Romans at battle of Caravis. |
180–139 BC |
Lusitanian chief who resisted Rome during conquest of Hispania. Won many battles and incited rebellions. |
122–72 BC |
Led rebellion against Rome in Spain; held out for 8 years. |
53–117 |
Second of "Five Good Emperors." Ruled with justice and integrity. Conquered Dacia. |
76–138 |
Third of "Five Good Emperors." Talented artist and architect, good administrator. |
3–65 |
Tutor and minister to Nero. Forced to commit suicide after falling from grace. |
Visigoth Spain | |
310–383 |
Missionary bishop who translate the bible into the Gothic language and converted the Goths to Arian Christianity. |
d. 410 |
Leader of Visigoths after death of Alaric. Led his people out of Italy and established Visigoth kingdom in Spain . |
d. 451 |
Son of Alaric, who led the Visigoth army against Attila the Hun at the Battle of Chalons. |
d. 601 |
First Catholic King of the Visigoth Kingdom. |
d. 687 |
Legendary king of the Visigoths, whose reign was peaceful and prosperous. |
560–636 |
Catholic Bishop who converted Visigoths, presided at Council of Toledo. |
Early Moors of Spain | |
d. 720 |
Berber general who defeated the Visigoths at the Battle of Gaudalete. |
640–716 |
Umayyad governor of North Africa who organized and directed the Moslem invasion of the Iberian peninsula. |
~ 711 |
Christian wife of Visigoth king Roderick who later married son of Moorish governor |
d. 716 |
Son of Umayyad governor Musa. Ruled in Andalusia until murdered for marrying Exilona. |
731–788 |
Last surviving Umayyad prince, escaped to Spain, became Emir of Cordova |
Christian Resistance | |
d. 711 |
Last king of Visigoth Spain. Died at the Battle of Guadalete. |
~ 711 |
Gothic Knight who defended Cordova after the fall of the Visigoths at Guadalete. |
~ 711 |
Visigoth general who used a ruse in order to make peace with the Moorish conquerors. |
686–741 |
Frankish King who defeated the Moors at the Battle of Tours. |
690–737 |
Visigoth hero who survived Moorish conquest in 711 and founded the Christian kingdom of Asturias. |
Character/Date | Short Biography |
---|---|
Early Christian Heroes | |
~ 800 |
Legendary Spanish hero during the era of Charlemagne who battled both Moors and Franks. |
742–814 |
First Holy Roman Emperor. Unified most of Western Europe into a Frankish Empire. |
d. 778 |
Nephew of Charlemagne and legendary hero of his wars. Died at Roncesvalles. |
~ 711 |
Visigoth general who used a ruse in order to make peace with the Moorish conquerors. |
Cordoba Caliphate | |
731–788 |
Last surviving Umayyad prince, escaped to Spain, became Emir of Cordova |
912–961 |
Powerful, long serving Emir who declared himself Caliph of Cordova. |
938–1002 |
Renowned Moorish general. Leader of Moorish Spain at the height of its power near 1000 A.D. |
Almoravids and Almohads | |
d. 1184 |
Almohad Caliph of Africa who invaded Moorish spain and set up a kingdom in Seville. |
Growth of Christian Kingdoms | |
1040–1109 |
King of Castile who with his great warrior El Cid, reconquered Toledo and much other territory from the Moors. |
1040–1099 |
Legendary Spanish hero of chivalry. Loyal to Alfonso VI in spite of treachery. Conquered Valencia. |
1109–1185 |
Founder of the Kingdom of Portugal. Defeated the Moors and declared Portugal independent from Leon. |
1155–1214 |
Led the victorious Christians against the Saracens at the decisive Battle of Navas de Tolosa. |
1170–1221 |
Founded Dominican Order of scholars, theologians, and teachers. |
1208–1276 |
Long reigning warrior king who expanded the dominions of Aragon to include the Balaeric Islands and Valencia. |
1199–1252 |
King of Castile who conquered Seville and Cordoba, and brought Dominican and Franciscan orders to southern Spain. |
1175–1275 |
Spanish Dominican who served as confessor to James I of Aragon and compiled first official set of Canon Laws for the Church. |
United Spain | |
1334–1379 |
Illegitimate son of Alfonso XI who usurped the throne of Castile from his half-brother, Peter the Cruel after many conflicts. |
1334–1369 |
King of Castile with reputation as dishonorable, murderous tyrant. Eventually deposed by half-brother Henry Trastamara. |
1330–1371 |
Tax-collector of Seville and counsellor of Henry Trastamara, highly esteemed Christians. His Excecution by jealous Jews greatly worsened Jewish-Christian relations and led to Massacre of 1391. |
1351–1435 |
Leading Spanish Rabbi of Castile who converted to Christianity and became an archbishop and Chancellor. Original name was Solomon ha-Levi. |
1350–1419 |
Dominican Preacher from Valencian who gained acclaim as a missionary and was especially noted for encouraging Jewish conversions. |
Character/Date | Short Biography |
---|---|
United Spain | |
1425–1474 |
Infirm and degenerate king of Castile, older brother of Isabella I. Named Isabella his successor. |
1451–1504 |
Pious and stalwart queen of Spain, unified diverse kingdoms, reformed finances, conquered Granada, financed Columbus. |
1452–1516 |
King of Aragon who ruled united Spain with Queen Isabel. Drove the Moors out of Granada. |
1451–1531 |
Spanish knight under Isabella and Ferdinand who gained famed during the Reconquista for daring exploits. |
1453–1515 |
Spanish general who fought in Granada and Italy; pioneered modern tactics of warfare. |
1436–1517 |
Influential cardinal-minister at the court of Isabel and Ferdinand. Did much to reform both Church and government of Spain. |
1479–1555 |
Daughter of Isabel, mother of Charles V, and heir to the throne of Castile. Deposed by Ferdinand due to insanity. |
Granada | |
1191–1273 |
Founder of the Nasrid dynasty in Granada. Agreed to make Granada a vassal state of Castile. |
1440–1490 |
Last Sultan of Granada. Fierce opponent of Christians, but lost control of Granada. |
1460–1527 |
Briefly replaced his father on the throne of Granada before surrending to Ferdinand. |
1520–1568 |
Moorish prince who escaped from Granada, led the Morisco Revolt, and continued to fight until his death. |
Early Spanish Explorers | |
1451–1506 |
Genoan sailor, sponsored by Isabela of Spain, who crossed the Atlantic Ocean and discovered the Americas. |
1441–1493 |
Spanish navigator who sailed with Columbus on first voyage, but later feuded with him. |
1465–1515 |
Spanish conquistador who made several daring expeditions to the new world. Associate of Vespucci and Pizarro. |
1475–1519 |
Helped establish a Spanish colony in Panama and discovered the Pacific Ocean. |
1440–1531 |
First Governor of the Spanish colony of Darien in Peru. Murderous and unscrupulous rival of Balboa. |
Spanish Jews and Conversos | |
1420–1498 |
Dominican priest who was a confessor of Isabella I, and was influential in establishing the Spanish Inquisition. |
~ |
|
1515–1582 |
Mystic Nun who reformed the Carmelite order, and wrote books on prayer. Doctor of the Church. |
1491–1556 |
Founder of the Jesuits order, dedicated to the Pope. Important counter-reformation figure. |
1412–1493 |
Spanish rabbi, financier, and trusted counsellor of Isabella of Castile. Converted to Christianiy in 1492 when Jews were expelled from Spain. |
1437–1508 |
Jewish minister, tax-farmer, and counsellor who assisted Ferdinand in financing the conquest of Granada. Refused to convert when Jews were expelled from Spain n 1492. |
1430–1498 |
Finance minister of Isabel and Ferdinand of converso origins. Largely financed the voyage of Columbus from his own funds. |
Character/Date | Short Biography |
---|---|
Political and Military leaders | |
1479–1555 |
Daughter of Isabel, mother of Charles V, and heir to the throne of Castile. Deposed by Ferdinand due to insanity. |
1500–1558 |
16th century Hapsburg Emperor who ruled Austria, the Netherlands, Spain and parts of Italy. |
1545–1568 |
Eldest son of Philip II. Mentally unbalanced prince of Spain who was imprisoned and possibly murdered. |
1567–1573 |
Tyrannical Governor of the Spanish Netherlands who opposed Protestants during the Dutch Revolt. |
1545–1578 |
Illegitimate son of Charles V. Hero of the naval Battle of Lepanto. Briefly governed Spanish Netherlands. |
1478–1506 |
Heir to the Burgundian and Hapsburg estates, and married to Juana of Spain. Their son was Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. |
1527–1598 |
Catholic king of Spain during Netherland revolt and Anglo-Spanish Wars. Great enemy of Protestant Reformers. |
1494–1568 |
Grand Master of the Knights Hospitallers who defended Malta from the siege in 1565. |
1661–1700 |
Invalid King of Spain. Last of the Spanish Hapsburgs. His death precipitated the War of the Spanish Succession. |
Religious | |
1542–1591 |
Carmelite priest, poet and author associated with St. Teresa of Avila. |
1515–1582 |
Mystic Nun who reformed the Carmelite order, and wrote books on prayer. Doctor of the Church. |
1506–1552 |
Jesuit Missionary to India. Said to have converted thousands to Christianity. |
1491–1556 |
Founder of the Jesuits order, dedicated to the Pope. Important counter-reformation figure. |
1484–1566 |
Early settler in New Spain who became a Friar, and advocated on better treatment of natives. Wrote ' Account of the Destruction of the Indies'. Later became bishop of Chiapas. |
1495–1550 |
Dedicated his life to helping the Poor. Founded order of Hospitallers, which cared for the sick. |
1517–1576 |
Spanish Jesuit of Jewish descent who served as secretary and advisor of Ignatius Loyola and later superior Generals. Wrote the early history of the Jesuits. |
1512–1565 |
Spanish Jesuit of Jewish descent, served as papal theologian and secretary during the Council of Trent. Second Superior General of the Jesuits. |
Artists and Authors | |
1617–1682 |
Spanish artist who painted during the reign of the Spanish Habsburgs. Best known for his religious works. |
1547–1616 |
Author of the classic Don Quixote, the most famous novel in the Spanish Language. |
Mexican Conquistadors | |
1485–1540 |
Conquistador who landed in Mexico with a small army, and allied with local tribes, conquered the Empire of the Aztecs. |
1465–1524 |
Conquered Cuba for Spain, and was its first governor. First a supporter, then a rival of Cortez. |
1478–1528 |
Spanish explorer who opposed Cortez, and later led a disastrous expedition to Florida of whom only 4 of 600 survived. |
1460–1521 |
First Spanish governor of Puerto Rico. Explored inland regions of Florida while searching for the fountain of youth. |
1496–1542 |
Adventurer who aided in conquest of Peru, then explored Southwestern United States. Discovered Mississippi river. |
d. 1540 |
Choctaw chieftain who resisted de Soto at the Battle of Mauvila during his expedition through the southwest. |
1510–1554 |
Spanish explorer who was a governor in Mexico, and explored regions of the Southwest United States. |
1519–1574 |
Spanish explorer who founded St. Augustine and was the first Spanish governor of Florida. |
Peru Conquistadors | |
1478–1541 |
With only 160 men, conquered six thousand Inca and took control of Peru. |
1502–1548 |
Brother of Francisco Pizarro; led an expedition from Quito across the Andes and discovered the Amazon. |
1490–1557 |
Explorer who survived the ill-fated Narvaez expedition and captivity by Indians, then wrote of his adventures. |
Character/Date | Short Biography |
---|---|
18th Century | |
1683–1746 |
Grandson of Louis XIV who was recognized as the first Bourbon King of Spain after the War of the Spanish Succession. |
1665–1752 |
Spanish statesman active during the late reign of Louis XIV and the War of the Spanish Succession. |
1692–1766 |
Queen of Philip V who, with Cardinal Alberoni, ruled the Spanish court in the early 18th century. |
d. 1789 |
Enlightened' King of Spain who tried to modernize Spain. Attempted financial reforms and suppressed the Jesuit order. |
1713–1749 |
Bourbon king of Spain who supported the reforms of his chief minister Ensenada. |
1702–1781 |
Spanish secretary of State under Ferdinand VI. Promoted peace, internal reform, and public works. |
Napoleonic Era | |
1751–1819 |
Notorious bourbon Queen of Charles IV, who promoted her incompetent favorite Godoy to prime minister. |
1784–1833 |
Bourbon king, restored to the throne of France after the Napoleonic Wars, refused to work with liberal constitution. |
1767–1851 |
Decadent minister, favorite of Spanish queen. Blamed for fall of the Bourbon monarchy by acquiescing to Napoleon. |
1776–1847 |
Spanish noble from Aragon who courageously defended Saragossa from a French siege during Napoleonic Wars. |
1786–1857 |
Heroine of the siege of Saragossa. Behaved heroically under fire. Later joined Wellington's troops as an officer. |
19th century | |
1788–1835 |
Courageous and loyal Basque general who commanded the traditionalist troops during the First Carlist War. |
1788–1855 |
Brother of Ferdinand VII and rival claimant to the Spanish throne who initiated the Carlist Wars. |
1806–1878 |
Queen regent of Spain who championed the cause of her daughter Isabella II against the Carlists. |
1830–1904 |
19th century queen of Spain who lived a life of scandal and dissipation and was eventually deposed. |
1793–1879 |
Liberal, anti-clerical General who opposed the Carlists, and briefly ruled as regent of Spain before being exiled. |
1857–1885 |
Son of Isabell II to took the throne after a coup d'etat overthrew the First Republic. Died suddenly shortly thereafter. |
~ |
Character/Date | Short Biography |
---|---|
Conquest of Mexico | |
1466–1520 |
Ruler of the Aztec empire at the time of the Spanish conquest. Captured by the Spanish and killed during revolt. |
1496–1529 |
Indian slave woman who acted as consort, advisor, and translator for Cortez during his conquest of Mexico. |
1485–1540 |
Conquistador who landed in Mexico with a small army, and allied with local tribes, conquered the Empire of the Aztecs. |
1465–1524 |
Conquered Cuba for Spain, and was its first governor. First a supporter, then a rival of Cortez. |
1478–1528 |
Spanish explorer who opposed Cortez, and later led a disastrous expedition to Florida of whom only 4 of 600 survived. |
1496–1584 |
Spanish soldier who served under Cortez and wrote 'True History of the Conquest of New Spain', an eye-witness account of the episode. |
Viceroyality | |
1490–1558 |
Spanish governor of New Spain who tried to limit Cortez's power by enslaving his native allies. Brought down by Churchmen who opposed his violent outrages. |
1478–1565 |
Canon lawyer, lead 2nd Audiencia to Mexico that deposed Nuno Guzman from power. Tried to protect the Indians and replace the Encomienda system. Later served as Bishop of Michoacan for 30 years. |
1495–1552 |
First Viceroy of New Spain, competent and kind to natives. Laid the groundwork for Spanish dominion over Mexico. |
1490–1546 |
First Viceroy of Peru. Murdered during rebellion resulting from his enforment of Charles V's "New Laws of 1542" to outlaw Indian slavery and bring encomienda under control. |
1440–1531 |
First Governor of the Spanish colony of Darien in Peru. Murderous and unscrupulous rival of Balboa. |
1528–1591 |
Served as Archbishop and Viceroy of Mexico. Later headed the 'Council of the Indies'. Committed to education of the Indians, removed abusive officials, forbid enslavement of natives and founded schools. |
Conversion of Natives | |
1480–1570 |
Franciscan missionary to Mexico and relative of Charles V. Wrote a catechism in Aztec language. Opened first schools for natives in the Americas. |
1482–1568 |
Franciscan missionary to Central America and the Nahua peoples. Baptised thousands. Wrote a history detailing early encounters of the Amerindian peoples with the Spaniards. |
1484–1566 |
Early settler in New Spain who became a Friar, and advocated on better treatment of natives. Wrote ' Account of the Destruction of the Indies'. Later became bishop of Chiapas. |
1499–1590 |
Franciscan missionary to Mexico. Studied Aztec history and language. Ran a school for Nahuati (Aztec) scholars and curated the Florentine Codex, the definitive, illustrated, Aztec history. |
1485–1571 |
Franciscan missionary who wrote the first grammar and dictionary describing the Nahuatl, the native language of the Aztecs. |
1713–1784 |
Franciscan Friar who founded over a dozen missions along the coast of California. |
North America Conquistadors | |
1496–1542 |
Adventurer who aided in conquest of Peru, then explored Southwestern United States. Discovered Mississippi river. |
d. 1540 |
Choctaw chieftain who resisted de Soto at the Battle of Mauvila during his expedition through the southwest. |
1510–1554 |
Spanish explorer who was a governor in Mexico, and explored regions of the Southwest United States. |
1519–1574 |
Spanish explorer who founded St. Augustine and was the first Spanish governor of Florida. |
Mexican Independence | |
1753–1811 |
Freemason Priest who was a leader of Mexico's war of independence. Famous for !Grito de dolores! |
1783–1824 |
Spanish General who changed sides and supported Mexican independence. Later made himself emperor. |
Jose Maria Morelos 1765-1815 | Revolutionary Priest, led independence movement after the death of Hidalgo, Caught and executed for treason! |
Character/Date | Short Biography |
---|---|
Mexican Independence | |
1753–1811 |
Freemason Priest who was a leader of Mexico's war of independence. Famous for !Grito de dolores! |
1783–1824 |
Spanish General who changed sides and supported Mexican independence. Later made himself emperor. |
Jose Maria Morelos 1765-1815 | Revolutionary Priest, led independence movement after the death of Hidalgo, Caught and executed for treason! |
Early Republic | |
1794–1876 |
Fought for Mexican independence and against Texas, then served as president on and off, over twenty turbulent years. |
Valentin Farias 1781-1858 | Liberal anti-Clerical President in alliance with Santa Anna during the early years of the Mexican republic who imposed many "reforms" targeting the Church. |
Vincente Guerrero 1782-1831 | Leader of Revolutionary liberals. Worked with Iturbide for Mexican independence, then rebelled against him. Seized office of President after political rival was elected. |
1792–1853 |
Conservative Mexican statesman and historian who was influential during the early years of Mexican Independence. |
Reform Era | |
Juan Alvarez 1790-1867 | Regional warlord in alliance with Juarez. Entered Mexico city in 1855 with militia, terrorized the population, made himself president, and appointed his successor. |
1806–1872 |
Leader of Mexico during the War of Reform. Passed, enforced anti-clerical laws. Supported informally by United States. |
1832–1867 |
Archduke who was proclaimed Emperor of Mexico. Overthrown and executed by Liberal republicans. |
1830–1915 |
President of Mexico for 35 years. Brought stability, modernization, and foreign capital, but ruled as a dictator. |
Mexican revolution | |
1873–1913 |
Wealthy, liberal reformer who opposed the dictatorship of Diaz. Elected president but assassinated in office. |
1879–1919 |
Leader of a Rebel band of southern outlaws during Mexican Revolution. Opposed both Huerta and Carranza. |
1859–1920 |
Constitutionalist leader of Mexican revolution. Served as president after overthrew Huerta until his assassination in 1920. |
1859–1920 |
Diaz supporter who overthrew President Madero and assumed dictatorial power during Mexican Revolution. |
1878–1923 |
Rebel leader of the constitutionalist army in northern Mexico. Governor of Chihuahua. Broke with Carranza. |
Plutarco Calles 1877-1945 | Violently anti-Catholic President of Mexico who enforced harsh suppression of the Church in Mexico and incited the Cristero War. |
Character/Date | Short Biography |
---|---|
Conquest of Incas | |
1502–1533 |
Last monarch of the Incan Empire. Captured by Pizarro at Caxamalca and eventually killed. |
1478–1541 |
With only 160 men, conquered six thousand Inca and took control of Peru. |
~ 1541 |
Military leader of the Araucanian tribe of Chile, who maintained their independence from Spain. |
1516–1544 |
Puppet Inca ruler who was crowned by the Spaniards, but rebelled against them and laid siege to Cuzco. |
Venezuela, Columbia, Bolivia, Equador | |
1750–1816 |
Early leader of South American Independence. Led a failed revolution in Venezuela in 1813. Died in prison. |
1783–1830 |
Crossed Andes to attack Spanish outposts in Columbia, then met San Martin in Peru. |
1795–1830 |
South American patriot. Friend and trusted general of Simon Bolivar. Hero of the Battles of Pinchincha and Junin. |
1790–1873 |
A cavalry leader during War of Independence who rose from humble origins to be President (really dictator) of Venezuela. |
1821–1875 |
Catholic president of Ecuador who resisted the secular forces in his country, made many reforms, and was assassinated by Freemasons. |
Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Uraguay | |
1500–1554 |
Conquistador who attempted to conquer Chile, but was killed by the native tribes. Founded Santiago. |
1778–1842 |
Military commander who together with San Martin freed Chile from Spanish rule. First 'Supreme Director' of Chile. |
1778–1850 |
Won independence from Spain for Argentina, then crossed the Andes and helped free Chili. |
1766–1840 |
Ruled Paraguay as a dictator after its independence, and cut off most contact with outside influences. |
d. 1572 |
Son of Manco Inca, rebelled against Spain. Led the last independent tribe of Incas at their refuge in Vilcabamba. |
1827–1870 |
Dictator who provoked a war against Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay that devastated and depopulated Paraguay. |
1793–1877 |
Gaucho hero who brought law and order to Argentina after 20 years of chaos. Ruled as a dictator for 25 year, then sent into exile. |
1785–1821 |
Leader of a republican faction in Chile during the Wars of Independence and rival of Bernardo O'Higgins. |
Brazil | |
1798–1834 |
Portuguese prince who became the first Emperor of Brazil but struggled with competing political factions. |
1825–1891 |
Emperor of Brazil who tried to modernize while maintaining a constitutional monarchy. Forcibly exiled after Republican coup in 1889. |
Cuba and Caribbean | |
~ 1834 |
Stern willed Governor of Cuba who tried to curtail smuggling in his realm. |
~ 1666 |
Famous South American Pirate of the Caribbean during the mid-17th century. |
~ 1620 |
Famous French Pirate of the Caribbean during the mid-17th century. |
1853–1895 |
Leader of the Cuban independence movement in the years before the Spanish-American. |
1848–1896 |
Led the Cuban forces against Spain during the Cuban Rebellion. |
~ 1739 |
Leader of a tribes of Jamaican of mixed native and African descent. Fought British in the First Maroon War. |