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Hispanic History and Exploration 
 Characters

Romans and Visigoths   Moors of Spain   Rise of Christian Spain   Exploration   Hapsburg Spain   Bourbon Spain   Mexico   South America  

Romans and Visigoths

250 B.C. to 711 A.D.

Punic Wars to the Moorish Conquest


Character Dates Short Biography
died 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.
died 211 BC Tried to intercept Hannibal in Gaul, but was defeated at Ticino River and Trebbia.
234-149 BC Roman hero of Second Punic War. Led Armies in Spain and Africa. Defeated Hannibal at Zama.
234-149 BC Roman Censor, urged destruction of Carthage before Third Punic War.
460-510 Legendary King of the Britons.
died 179 BC Celt-Iberian Chief of the Belli tribe. Won a victory over the Romans at Caravis before being killed.
180-139 BC Lusitanian chief who resisted Rome for years, and incited other tribes to revolt.
122-72 BC Led rebellion against Rome in Spain; held out for 8 years.
died 410 Brother-in-law of Alaric and founder of the Visigoth kingdom of Spain.
died 451 Son of Alaric who led the Visigoth army against Attila the Hun at the Battle of Chalons.
died 601 First Catholic King of the Visigoth Kingdom.
died 687 King of the Visigoths who was elected to the throne, and whose reign was peaceful and prosperous.
died 711 Last king of Visogoth Spain. Died at the Battle of Guadalete.
fl.    711 Gothic Knight who defended Cordova after the fall of the Visigoths at Guadalete.
fl.    711 Visigoth general who used a ruse in order to make peace with the Moorish conquerors.
died 720 Berber Muslim general who led the conquest of Iberia. Defeated the visogoths at the Battle of Gaudalete.


The Moors of Spain

711 A.D. to 1492 A.D.

Battle of Guadalete to the Fall of Granada


Character Dates Short Biography
640-716 Umayyad governor of North Africa who instigated the Moslem invasion of the Iberian peninsula.
died 720 Berber Muslim general who led the conquest of Iberia. Defeated the visogoths at the Battle of Gaudalete.
fl.    711 Mediterranean princess who married first a Visogoth king, and then, after the fall of the visogoths, a Saracen King.
died 716 Son of an Umayyad governor who ruled briefly in Andalusia before being murdered for marrying Exilona, a Christian princess.
731-788 Last surviving prince of the Umayyad Caliphate who gained control of the Andalusian Emirate in Spain, after being driven from Damascus.
912-961 Moorish King who broke all ties with the Abbasid Empire and declared himself Caliph of Cordova.
fl.    
938-1002 Most powerful of the Caliphs of Cordoba, leader of Muslim Spain at the height of its power.
died 1184 Almohad Caliph of Africa who invaded Moorish spain and set up a kingdom in Seville.
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.
fl.    711 Visigoth general who used a ruse in order to make peace with the Moorish conquerors.
690-737 After the fall of Visigoth Spain in 711, he founded and defended a Christian kingdom of Asturias in the North of Spain.
fl.    800 Legendary Spanish hero during the era of Charlemagne who battled both Moors and Franks. Spanish counterpart to Roland.
fl.    711 Gothic Knight who defended Cordova after the fall of the Visigoths at Guadalete.


Rise of Christian Spain

1050 A.D. to 1516 A.D.

Conquest of Toledo to the Death of Ferdinand


Character Dates Short Biography
690-737 After the fall of Visigoth Spain in 711, he founded and defended a Christian kingdom of Asturias in the North of Spain.
fl.    800 Legendary Spanish hero during the era of Charlemagne who battled both Moors and Franks. Spanish counterpart to Roland.
1040-1109 King of Castile, who with his great warrior El Cid, won many battles against the Moors.
1040-1099 Legendary Spanish Hero of Chivalry. Conquered Valencia, a great Moorish City.
1109-1185 Founder of the Kingdom of Portugal. Defeated the Moors and declared Portugal independent from Leon.
1155-1214 Led the Christian armies against the Saracens at the decisive Battle of Navas de Tolosa.
1170-1221 Founded Dominican Order of scholars, theologians, and teachers.
1334-1369 King of Spain reputed to be a shifty and murderous tyrant.
1425-1474 Infirm king of Castile, and brother of Isabella I. Named Isabella his successor over his own daughter, of questionable paternity.
1451-1504 First Queen of united Spain and Pius Catholic. Besieged Granada, financed Columbus,
1452-1516 Ruled united Spain with Queen Isabel. Drove the Moors out of Granada,
1420-1498 Dominican priest who was a confessor of Isabella I, and was influential in establishing the Spanish Inquisition.
1451-1531 Spanish knight under Isabella and Ferdinand who gained famed during the Reconquista for daring exploits.
1199-1252 King of Castile who united Leon and Castile, conquered Moorish territory, and brought the Dominican and Franciscan orders to Hispania.
1453-1515 Spanish general who fought for the re-conquest of Granada, pioneered modern techniques of warfare, and also gained territory in Italy.


Exploration

1430 A.D. to 1540 A.D.

Voyages of Henry the Navigator to the Discovery of the Mississippi


Character Dates Short Biography
1394-1460 Organized sailing expeditions along the coast of Africa. Initiated age of Discovery.
1432-1488 Early Portuguese explorer who, under the direction of Prince Henry the Navigator, discover Cape Verdes and the Gambia river.
1450-1500 Discovered Cape of Good Hope at the southernmost point of Africa.
1460-1524 Sailed from Europe to the Orient by sailing around the Cape of Good Hope.
1450-1510 Distinguished himself the wars against Granada, and then was appointed first governor of Portuguese India.
1453-1515 Naval officer who helped establish a Portuguese colony in India at Goa.
1451-1506 Sailed across Atlantic Ocean and discovered the Americas.
1441-1493 Spanish navigator who sailed with Columbus. First supported Columbus but later feuded with him.
1465-1515 Spanish noble who made several daring expeditions in the new world. Associate of Vespucci and Pizarro.
1465-1524 Conquered Cuba for Spain, and was its first governor. First a comrade, then a rival of Cortez.
1475-1519 Explored Panama and discovered the Pacific Ocean.
1440-1531 First Governor of the Spanish colony of Darien in Peru. Murderous and unscrupulous rival of Balboa.
1460-1521 Explored the inland area of Florida while searching for the Fountain of Youth.
1454-1512 Explorer who made maps on his return. Described America as a new continent, not east Asia.
1480-1521 Captain of first fleet to circumnavigate the globe. Died in Philippines.
1478-1541 With only 160 men, conquered six thousand Inca and took control of Peru.
1502-1548 Brother of Francisco Pizarro, who led an expedition from Quito across the Andes and discovered the Amazon
1496-1542 Explored the inland regions of Southwestern United States and Midwest.
died 1540 Choctaw Indian chieftain who resisted de Soto at the Battle of Mauvila.
1509-1583 Portuguese explorer who wrote a book about his exploits in Ethiopia, the Arabian Sea, China, India and Japan. He was a former Jesuit and friend of St. Francis Xavier.
1490-1557 Explorer who was captured by native Americans for six years, then wrote of his adventures.
1510-1554 Spanish explorer who was a governor in Mexico, and explored regions of the Southwest United States.


Habsburg Spain

1516 A.D. to 1700 A.D.

Reign of Charles I (a.k.a. Charles V) to the War of Spanish Succession


Character Dates Short Biography
1479-1555 Daughter of Isabel, mother of Charles V, and heir to the throne of Castile. Deposed by her father Ferdinand due to insanity.
1500-1558 Holy Roman Emperor. Ruled Hapsburg Austria, the Low Countries, Spain and parts of Italy.
1545-1568 Eldest son of Philip II. Mentally unbalanced heir to the throne of Spain was imprisoned and possibly murdered. Subject of Verdi Opera.
1567-1573 Iron-Fisted Governor of the Spanish Netherlands during the Dutch Revolt.
1545-1578 Son of Charles V. Hero of the naval Battle of Lepanto. Briefly governed Spanish Netherlands.
1527-1598 Catholic king of Spain and the Netherlands. Great enemy of Protestant Reformers.
1547-1616 Author of Don Quixote, the most famous book in the Spanish Language.
1617-1682 Spanish artist who painted during the reign of the Spanish Habsburgs. Best known for his religious works.
1661-1700 Last of the Hapsburg Kings of Spain. His death precipitated the War of the Spanish Succession.
1495-1550 Dedicated his life to helping the Poor. Founded order of Hospitallers, which cared for the sick.
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 Priest who accompanied the spanish conquistadors to the New World and tried to protect the native inhabitants from abuses and maltreatment.
1494-1568 Grand Master of the Knights Hospitallers who defended Malta from the siege in 1565.
1515-1582 Mystic Nun who reformed the Carmelite order, and wrote books on prayer. Doctor of the Church.
1542-1591 Carmelite Priest, poet and author associated with St. Teresa of Avila.
1509-1583 Portuguese explorer who wrote a book about his exploits in Ethiopia, the Arabian Sea, China, India and Japan. He was a former Jesuit and friend of St. Francis Xavier.


Bourbon Spain

1700A.D. to 1931A.D.

Reign of Philip V to the Spanish Civil War


Character Dates Short Biography
1683-1746 Grandson of Louis XIV who was the first Bourbon King of Spain.
1713-1749 King of Spain who promoted able advisors and
1665-1752 Spanish statesman active during the late reign of Louis XIV and the War of the Spanish Succession.
1692-1766 Queen consort of Spain who, with Cardinal Alberoni, dominated the Spanish court in the early 18th century.
1702-1781 Important administrator of the Spanish government during the mid 18th century. Promoted peace, internal reform, and public works.
died 1789 King of Spain who carried on internal reforms and suppressed the Jesuit order.
1751-1819 Notorious Bourbon Queen of Charles IV of Spain.Philandered with Godoy, the prime minister. Exiled by Napoleon.
1784-1833 King of Spain who reigned after the Napoleonic Wars, but refused reforms, and
1788-1835 Chief general of the Carlist faction in Spain, during the early 19th century.
1776-1847 Directed the fantastic siege of Saragossa in Spain during the Napoleonic Wars.
1767-1851 Prime Minister of Spain, blamed for acquiescing to Napoleon, and for the fall of the Monarchy.
1788-1855 Rival Claimant to the Spanish throne who initiated the Carlist Wars.
1786-1857 Heroine of the siege of Saragossa. Behaved heroically under fire. Later joined Wellington's troops as an officer.
1806-1878 Queen Regent of Spain who championed the cause of her daughter Isabella against the Carlists.
1830-1904 Queen of Spain who lived a life of dissipation and was finally dethroned and exiled.
1793-1879 Liberal General who opposed the Carlists, and briefly ruled as regent of Spain before being exiled.
1857-1885 King of Spain who ruled after a coup d'etat overthrow the first republic. Son of Isabell II, who abdicated in his favor.


Mexico

1520 A.D. to 1921 A.D.

Conquests of Cortez to the Mexican Revolution


Character Dates Short Biography
1466-1520 Ruler of the Aztec nation in Mexico at the time of the Spanish conquest. Defeated and killed by Cortez.
1502-1525 Nephew of Montezuma who was Aztec emperor during the siege and destruction of Tenochtitlan. Captured and killed by Cortes.
1496-1529 Indian slave given who back the consort and translator for Cortez during his conquest of Mexico.
1485-1540 With a small army, allied with local tribes, conquered Aztecs of Mexico.
1495-1552 First Vicery of New Spain who laid the groundwork for Spanish dominion over Mexico.
1753-1811 Priest who was a leader of Mexico's war of independence against Spain.
1783-1824 Spanish Geneal who changed sides and supported the Rebels to gain Mexican independence.
1832-1867 Archduke who was proclaimed Emperor of Mexico. Overthrown and executed by republicans.
1806-1872 One of the first presidents of Mexico. Served five terms, and undertook numerous reforms.
1794-1876 Fought for Mexican independence, then elected President during very turbulent times. Fought Americans at the Alamo and Mexican American War.
1873-1913 Wealthy reformer who opposed the dictatorship of Diaz. Elected president but assassinated in office.
1830-1915 Predisent of Mexico who was effectively a dictator. Imposted modernism and capitalism on Mexico.
1879-1919 Leader of a Rebel band of outlaws in Southern Mexico who opposed Huertat and later Carranza.
1859-1920 Leader of the Mexican revolution which overtherw Huerta and established the rule of the PRI.
1859-1920 Diaz supporter who overthrew Madero and assumed dictatorial power.
1878-1923 Leader of the constitutionalist army in Northern Mexico, but eventually broke with Carranza.
fl.    1515 Nephew of Montezuma. Allied with Cortez against his uncle, and ruled as the last king of the Aztec.
1713-1784 Franciscan Friar who founded over a dozen missions along the coast of California.


South America

1525 A.D. to 1921 A.D.

Conquest of Peru by Pizarro to the Early 20th century


Character Dates Short Biography
1502-1533 Last monarch of the Incan Empire. Overthrown and killed by Pizarro at Caxamalca.
1500-1554 Conquistador who attempted to conquer Chile, but was killed by the native tribes. Founded Santiago.
fl.    1666 Famous Pirate of the Caribbean during the mid 17th century.
fl.    1620 Famous Pirate of the Caribbean during the mid 17th century.
1750-1816 South American revolutionary who worked toward the independence of the Spanish American colonies.
1783-1830 Crossed Andes to attack Spanish outposts in Columbia, then met San Martin in Peru.
1766-1840 Ruled Paraguay as a dictator after its independence, and cut off most contact with outside influences.
1778-1842 Military commander who together with San Martin freed Chile from Spanish rule. First 'Supreme Director' of Chile.
1794-1848 Commander in the Mexican American War who led two regiments to New Mexico, and later California.
1778-1850 Won independence from Spain for Argentina, then crossed the Andes and helped free Chili.
1790-1873 A cavalry leader during the War of Independence who rose from humble origins to be President of Venezuela.
1853-1895 Leader of the Cuban independence movement. Exiled by the Spanish government.
1848-1896 Led the native forces against Spain in the Cuban Rebellion.
fl.    1739 Leader of a tribes of Jamaican of mixed native and African descent. Fought British in the First Maroon War.
fl.    1541 Military leader of the Araucanian tribe of Chile, who maintained their independence from Spain.
fl.    1834 Stern willed Governor of Cuba who tried to curtail smuggling in his realm.
1795-1830 South American patriot. Close friend and trusted general of Simon Bolivar. Hero of the Battles of Pinchincha and Junin.
1798-1834 Portuguese prince who became the first Emperor of Brazil but struggled with competing political factions.
1825-1891 Second Emeror of Brazil who favored many liberal ideas and tried to modernize his country.

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