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273. Panama’s Brutish Conquistador Who Found The Pacific and Lost His Head (Part 1)

Empire

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Balboa's Treacherous Journey

This chapter details Vasco Núñez de Balboa's perilous expedition through the jungles of Panama in 1513, as he faced intense heat and indigenous threats while striving to claim the Pacific Ocean for Spain. It examines the historical significance of his journey, the political dynamics with Pedrarias Davila, and the misrecognition of Balboa's achievements compared to other conquistadors.

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