Arias de Ávila, Pedro

Arias de Ávila, Pedro

(pā`thrō ä`ryäs dā ä`vēlä), known as

Pedrarias

(pāthrä`ryäs), c.1440–1531, Spanish colonial administrator. He was sent (1514) as governor to Darién (now part of Panama), then under the rule of Vasco Núñez de BalboaBalboa, Vasco Núñez de
, c.1475–1519, Spanish conquistador, discoverer of the Pacific Ocean. After sailing with Bastidas in 1501, Balboa probably went to Hispaniola. In 1510, fleeing from creditors, he hid on the vessel that took Enciso to Panama.
..... Click the link for more information. . A long quarrel between the two ended with Balboa's execution. Pedrarias's administration was notoriously harsh and cruel, but he extended the Spanish dominions and founded (1519) Panama City; he first aided, but later hindered, Francisco PizarroPizarro, Francisco
, c.1476–1541, Spanish conquistador, conqueror of Peru. Born in Trujillo, he was an illegitimate son of a Spanish gentleman and as a child was an illiterate swineherd.
..... Click the link for more information.  and Diego de Almagro in their conquest of Peru. His name also appears as Pedrarias Dávila.