Juan Ortiz (explorer)
Juan Ortiz was a 16th century Spanish soldier and conquistador . He died around 1542 during Hernando de Soto's expedition.
Life
He was the fifth and last survivor of the 1528 Narváez expedition in Florida . In the heavy fighting between the Spanish conquistadors and the Apalachee Indians, he was captured. When Hernando de Soto tried again to conquer Florida with about 1,000 men in 1539, he had to fight with the same Indians who had already fought against Narváez. Juan Ortiz was among these Indians. He had escaped the warriors who captured him and fled to another tribe. There he had adapted to the way of life of the Indians and had survived with them for many years. He learned the languages of the region and was a recognized member of his tribe. Nevertheless, he joined Hernando de Soto's expedition at the first opportunity and served him as a local guide and interpreter.
love
After his capture by the Indians, he was sentenced to death. He was to be cremated alive with three other prisoners. But the chief's daughter explained to her father that she loved this stranger and insisted on taking him to her husband. Therefore the chief left Juan Ortiz alive. It is not known that the chief's daughter accompanied Ortiz on his escape.
consequences
His language skills and, above all, his knowledge of the Indian way of thinking saved the lives of many Spanish expedition participants. The story of Juan Ortiz has inspired many writers around the world.
See also
literature
- Hans-Otto Meissner, The Kaiser gives me Florida , ISBN 3-12-920012-6
- Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca: Shipwrecks . Stuttgart 1925 (report on the misfortune of the Narváez expedition to the south coast of North America 1527–1536).
Web links
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Ortiz, Juan |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Spanish soldier and conquistador |
| DATE OF BIRTH | before 1528 |
| DATE OF DEATH | after 1539 |