In this episode of Along the Amazon River, I talk about the story of Pedro Teixeira, the Portuguese explorer who navigated both ways of the entire Amazon River. Teixeira’s expedition was a strategic move that helped Portugal expand its influence deep into the Amazon region.

Why was his expedition so important? And how did it change the balance of power in the Amazon? Listen more!

Host: Giovanni Minicucci

Sources:

Edmundson, G. “The Voyage of Pedro Teixeira on the Amazon from Pará to Quito and Back, 1637-39.” Transactions of the Royal Historical Society, vol. 3, 1920,pp. 52–71. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/3678305. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.Ribeiro, Lemmos. “Expedição Pedro Teixera Em Gurupá, Símbolo de Resistência e Bravura Do Conquistador Da Amazônia.” Portal Amazônia, 5 June 2021,portalamazonia.com/navegador-da-amazonia/expedicao-pedro-teixera-em-gurupa-simbolo-de-resistencia-e-bravura-do-conquistador-da-amazonia/.

In this episode of Along the Amazon River, I explore the story of Lope de Aguirre, a Spanish explorer who became famous for his rebellion, cruelty, and obsession with power. He joined an expedition to find the legendary city of gold, El Dorado, but instead, he led a violent mutiny, declared war on Spain, and even killed his own men.

Aguirre’s story is full of mystery. I will also look at how filmmaker Werner Herzog turned Aguirre's life into movie, Aguirre, The Wrath of God, which mixes history with legend.

Host: Giovanni Minicucci

Voice: George Gabriel

Sources:

Baraibar,Álvaro. “Lope De Aguirre: La Construcción De Una Imagen Del Poder.” Alpha:Revista de Artes, Letras y Filosofía, no. 33, Dec. 2011, pp. 187–200. EBSCOhost, https://doi-org.proxy.uchicago.edu/10.4067/S0718-22012011000200014.“Lope de Aguirre.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc.,www.britannica.com/biography/Lope-de-Aguirre. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025. “The Truth about Lope de Aguirre, Who Is Mentioned in ‘Interference.’” Semiosis,2 July 2024, semiosispax.com/extras/the-truth-about-lope-de-aguirre-who-is-mentioned-in interference/#:~:text=Murder%3A%20Aguirre%20himself%20killed%20or,die%20in%20the%20Amazon%20jungle.

Aguirre, the Wrath of God (Movie, 1972).

In this episode of Along the Amazon River, I explore the controversial journey of Francisco de Orellana, the first European to navigate the full length of the Amazon River.

Originally part of Gonzalo Pizarro’s expedition, Orellana’s voyage took an unexpected turn, leading him deep into uncharted territories. Along the way, he and his men encountered indigenous communities, fought fierce resistance, and started the legend of the Amazon women.

Join me as I explore the challenges and results of his expedition. I'll also discuss how this expedition affected how Europeans viewed the Amazon.

Host: Giovanni Minicucci

Voice: George Gabriel

Sources:

Cabrero, Ferran. “Omaguas, Primer Contacto. Una Cultura Amazónica Elusiva y El Misterio de La Aparia Menor.” Mundo Amazónico, vol. 11, no. 2, July 2020, pp. 255–75. EBSCOhost, https://doi-org.proxy.uchicago.edu/10.15446/ma.v11n2.83036.Foundation, Delanceyplace.com | Governor’s Woods. “Orellana versus the Amazons -- 5/18/21.” Delanceyplace, www.delanceyplace.com/view-archives.php?4372. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025. Itúrburu, Fernando. “La Figura Del Conquistador: Un Estudio de La Imagen de Francisco de Orellana.” Guaraguao, vol. 1, no. 1, 1996, pp. 7–24. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25595952. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

Jacobs,Frank. “Amazonia or Bust!” The New York Times, The New York Times, 19 June 2012, archive.nytimes.com/opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/19/amazonia-or-bust/.Levy, Buddy. River of Darkness: Francisco Orellana's Legendary Voyage of Deathand Discovery Down the Amazon. Bantam Books, 2011.Means, Philip Ainsworth. “Gonzalo Pizarro and Francisco de Orellana.” The Hispanic American Historical Review, vol. 14, no. 3, 1934, pp. 275–95. JSTOR,https://doi.org/10.2307/2506711. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

The host, Giovanni Minicucci (PhD student, University of Chicago) explains what the podcast is about, what the themes and methodologies are, and more in this short introduction!

This is a final project for the class: PORT 25000 1 (Winter 2025) The Amazon: Literature, Culture, Environment at The University of Chicago | March 2025.

For contact or more information, send an email to the host: gminicucci@uchicago.edu