Watch Conquistadors

Conquistadors is a four-episode documentary series produced by PBS and presented by historian Michael Wood. The show explores the history of the Spanish conquest of the Americas, focusing on four specific conquistadors - Francisco Pizarro, Hernán Cortés, Cabeza de Vaca, and Francisco de Orellana.

Each episode follows the journey of one conquistador, beginning with their early life and background in Spain, and then charting their voyage across the Atlantic Ocean and their subsequent conquest of indigenous civilizations. The show is driven by Wood's enthusiasm for the subject matter, as he brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to every episode.

The first episode focuses on Francisco Pizarro, who, in 1532, conquered the Inca Empire in Peru, one of the most advanced civilizations in the world at the time. Wood follows Pizarro's journey from his humble roots in Spain to his eventual ascent as a ruthless conqueror of a vast empire. He also explores the Inca empire and the lives of the people who lived there before the arrival of the Spanish.

The second episode follows Hernán Cortés, who, in 1519, conquered the Aztec Empire in Mexico, one of the most powerful empires in the Americas. Wood explores Cortés' early life and his motivations for conquest, as well as the complex and sophisticated society of the Aztecs. The episode also delves into the complex relationship that developed between the Aztecs and the Spanish, which eventually led to the downfall of the Aztec civilization.

The third episode takes a different turn, focusing on the Spanish conquistador Cabeza de Vaca, who arrived in what is now Florida in the early 16th century. Unlike Pizarro and Cortés, de Vaca's journey was marked by survival and exploration rather than conquest. His story is one of incredible resilience, as he survived a shipwreck and years of slavery before being freed and eventually exploring and mapping much of what is now the southern United States.

The final episode centers around Francisco de Orellana, who, in 1542, embarked on a journey down the Amazon River, becoming the first European to explore the length of the river from its source to the ocean. Wood details de Orellana's journey and the hardships he and his crew faced, as well as the indigenous people they encountered along the way. The episode also explores the impact of the Spanish conquest on the Amazon region and its people.

Throughout the show, Wood provides insightful commentary on the motivations and actions of the conquistadors, as well as the impact their conquests had on the indigenous peoples of the Americas. He also explores the cultural exchange that occurred between the Spanish and the indigenous civilizations they conquered, looking at how aspects of Spanish culture were adopted and adapted by the native people of the Americas.

Overall, Conquistadors is an engaging and informative documentary series that paints a vivid portrait of the Spanish conquest of the Americas. With its focus on individual conquistadors and detailed exploration of indigenous societies, the show provides a nuanced and complex view of one of the most transformative periods in world history.