Podcast Summary: The Rest Is History - Episode 543: Death in the Amazon: Aguirre, the Wrath of God

Introduction

In episode 543 of The Rest Is History, titled "Death in the Amazon: Aguirre, the Wrath of God," hosts Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook delve into one of the most infamous chapters of Spanish exploration in the 16th century. Centered around Lope de Aguirre, a conquistador whose ambition and madness led him to become one of the most notorious figures in the annals of colonial history, the episode intertwines historical facts with cultural interpretations, including insights from Werner Herzog's cinematic portrayal.

Historical Context: The Spanish Empire in the 1550s

The episode opens with a comprehensive overview of the Spanish Empire during the mid-16th century. Following the conquests of the Aztec and Inca empires, Spain was flush with silver flowing from the New World. However, the empire faced significant internal challenges:

• Weak Colonial Authority: Despite the riches, Spanish control was tenuous, primarily confined to coastal regions with only about 4,000 Europeans residing in Peru amid ongoing civil wars and rebellions.

• Economic Struggles: Emperor Charles V abdicated in 1556, passing the empire to his son, Philip II, who inherited a financially strained Spain plagued by inflation due to silver influx and costly wars in Italy and the Holy Roman Empire.

• Viceroy's Mission: A new viceroy, the Marquess of Ca, arrived in Lima with the imperative to stabilize the colony and seek additional wealth to support the empire. This backdrop sets the stage for the ambitious but ill-fated expedition to find El Dorado.

The Expedition Begins: Assembling a Motley Crew

Tom Holland (00:57) introduces the expedition’s leader, Pedro de Assua, a seasoned knight from Navarre with prior unsuccessful El Dorado missions. Assigned to command a formidable force of 400 Spaniards and thousands of indigenous laborers, Assua's team predominantly consisted of mercenaries, ex-cons, and hardened men ill-suited for disciplined exploration.

Dominic Sandbrook (05:15) highlights the expedition’s dual focus: the mythical quest for El Dorado and the practical need to extract wealth from the New World to aid Spain’s faltering economy. The expedition's composition and underlying motives reflect the tumultuous and often chaotic nature of Spanish colonial ventures.

Challenges and Mutiny: Rise of Lope de Aguirre

Shortly after setting sail on September 26, 1560 (16:32), the expedition encounters immediate difficulties:

• Shipwreck and Raft Survival: Massive leaks force the abandonment of most ships, leaving the crew to survive on rafts battered by incessant rain (16:59). The harsh conditions foster resentment and dissent among the men.

• Aguirre’s Opposition: Lope de Aguirre emerges as a vocal critic of Assua’s leadership and the elusive quest for El Dorado, deemed a myth (19:04). Known for his ruthlessness and vengefulness, Aguirre advocates abandoning the futile search to plunder existing Peruvian treasures instead.

Aguirre’s growing influence culminates in September 1560 (17:00) when he begins plotting against Assua. Despite warnings of department and dissent (14:26), Assua remains oblivious, leading to increasing tensions and eventual chaos.

The Mutiny: Assua’s Downfall

On New Year's Day 1561 (23:19), Aguirre orchestrates a mutiny by murdering Assua (24:46), thereby seizing control of the expedition. This pivotal moment is marked by chaos and brutal purges, including the slaughter of Assua's lieutenants (24:44). The aftermath sees Don Fernando de Guzman appointed as the new leader, though his rule is short-lived.

Aguirre’s Ascendancy and Madness

Under Aguirre’s command, the expedition’s focus shifts entirely to seizing El Dorado’s supposed riches from Peru:

• Strategic Plans: Aguirre formulates an audacious plan to sail to the Atlantic, commandeer a Spanish base on Margarita Island, and then launch an invasion to overthrow Spanish authorities in Peru (30:55).

• Escalating Violence: As the journey progresses, Aguirre’s paranoia and cruelty intensify. He orders the execution of dissenters and even his own daughter, Elvira, as he tightens his grip on the remaining crew (36:21; 59:26).

• Leadership Style: Featuring Nietzschean nihilism, Aguirre dismisses any notions of loyalty to Spain, citing his rebellion as a necessary act against ungrateful and corrupt officials (42:26). His leadership becomes increasingly tyrannical, characterized by sadistic acts meant to enforce loyalty and eliminate threats.

Capture of Margarita and Betrayal

In July 1561 (43:02), Aguirre and his dwindling band reach the Atlantic coast, capturing Margarita Island (43:56). Here, they seize the local governor, loot the treasury, and burn account books to cover their rebellion. However, their victimless formal approach to conquest is abruptly interrupted by the arrival of Montesinos, who spreads the news of Aguirre's betrayal across Spanish colonies, stripping Aguirre of his element of surprise and further isolating him (46:28).

The Final Downfall: Aguirre’s Death

Aguirre’s relentless pursuit leads to his eventual downfall in October 1561 (55:16):

• Betrayals and Executions: Internal strife and constant purges weaken his command. His brutal executions, including the murder of his daughter Elvira and fellow officers (59:38), erode any remaining support among his men.

• Final Confrontation: Cornered in the town of Barquisimeto, Aguirre faces a siege by royalist troops. Despite moments of vulnerability, his men swiftly turn against him, culminating in his gruesome death and the dismemberment of his body as a post-mortem punishment (60:21).

Interpretations and Legacy

Throughout the episode, Holland and Sandbrook explore various interpretations of Aguirre’s actions:

• Embodiment of Human Evil: Drawing parallels to literary figures like Mr. Kurtz from Heart of Darkness, Aguirre is often portrayed as the personification of unbridled ambition and moral decay (61:56).

• Revolutionary Figure: Recent scholarship, notably by Evan Balkan, reframes Aguirre as an early revolutionary against oppressive Spanish bureaucratic control, suggesting his actions were driven by deeper political motives rather than mere madness (62:41).

• Cultural Impact: The episode touches on how Aguirre’s legacy persists in cultural memory, including references in modern media and academic discourse, highlighting his complex portrayal as both a traitor and a symbol of resistance against imperial tyranny (63:58).

Notable Quotes

• Dominic Sandbrook (00:57): "I am the great traitor...I am the Wrath of God."

• Tom Holland (05:01): "Aguirre is the single most villainous figure in the annals of the Spanish conquest."

• Dominic Sandbrook (14:26): "Great evils will follow than you can possibly suppose."

• Tom Holland (22:22): "Aguirre is a madman in many ways and we shall see."

• Dominic Sandbrook (27:06): "He's the only sane person in a world of fools."

• Tom Holland (53:44): "Aguirre's letter is a mixture of rebellious defiance, megalomania, and self-pity."

Conclusion

Episode 543 offers a riveting exploration of Lope de Aguirre’s ill-fated expedition into the Amazon, blending historical analysis with cultural narratives. Holland and Sandbrook adeptly navigate the complexities of Aguirre’s character, presenting him as both a product and perpetrator of his tumultuous times. Through detailed recounting and critical interpretations, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of Aguirre's legacy as a symbol of colonial ambition, personal madness, and revolutionary defiance.

For those intrigued by the intertwining of history and its dramatic representations, this episode provides a thorough and engaging examination of one of the Spanish Empire’s most enigmatic figures.