Friday, June 7, 2013
Conquistador's Warriors for Gold, God and Glory
Conquistador's, the Spanish warriors of the three "G's," "Gold, God and Glory." Armed with the latest weapons and modern tactics (for the 16th century that is) infused with the task of both spreading the power of Spain and God's word, the Conquistadors were a true force to be reckoned with. Sublimely confident in their strength and righteousness; they time and time again challenged enemies many times their own numbers while carving out the Spanish Empire in the New World and the far away Philippines.
The three "G's" guaranteed ultimate success for true Conquistadors. Their victories brought them fame and "Glory" throughout the European World (as well as envy); the conquered saw them quite differently. In a time of religious intolerance, they were extremely intolerant of "false beliefs" as in name of "God" they brought the words of the Catholic Faith to all they conquered (all that survived the conquest that is). Those Conquistador's that died believed they would be welcomed in Heaven for doing God's work (much like the Crusader and Jihadist of early centuries). Victories over cultures rich in material wealth (especially gold and silver) and land brought them untold wealth. "Gold" was their preferred form of payment but silver, jewels, land and slaves all enriched victorious Conquistador's. Many a Conquistador gained wealth worth millions of dollars in Modern value, and just as fast wasted in a wild lavish lifestyle.
For the better part of the 1500's the Conquistador's carved out the World's most wide-ranging Empire on five continents (Europe, Africa, South America, North America and Asia) parts of which last until the 20th century. Untold hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of wealth flowed into the coffers of the Spanish Empire and the economy of Europe for centuries from these conquests. Whole cultures were destroyed and the political as well as religious face of the planet changed forever by the Conquistador's, all in the name of "Gold, God and Glory."
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