Gaspar de Rodas facts for kids
Gaspar de Rodas (born 1518, died 1607) was an important Spanish leader. He worked in the area that is now parts of Colombia. This includes places like Antioquia, Caldas, Quindío, and Risaralda.
He became the very first governor of Antioquia. This region was part of a larger Spanish territory called the New Kingdom of Granada.
Early Life and First Missions
Gaspar de Rodas was born in Trujillo, Cáceres, Spain. His parents were Florencio de Rodas and Guiomar Coello.
He traveled to the Americas in 1540, arriving in Quito. The next year, in 1541, he went to Popayán with Sebastián de Belalcázar. He was given the job of moving the town of Santa Fe de Antioquia to a new spot.
He faced a challenge when soldiers from the governor of Cartagena de Indias stopped him. However, he was freed by a leader named Jorge Robledo. After this, Rodas went back to Santa Fe de Antioquia.
Becoming Governor
After Jorge Robledo died in 1546, Gaspar de Rodas was chosen to be the governor of Antioquia. This decision was confirmed again in 1576. It happened after the death of another governor, Andrés de Valdivia. The high court in Santa Fe de Bogotá, called the Real Audiencia, approved his role.
Work as Governor
One of Rodas's first tasks as governor was to deal with groups who had caused trouble for the previous governor, Valdivia. After completing this mission, Rodas founded a new town called Cáceres in 1576. He then returned to Antioquia.
He also tried to bring peace to the native peoples living in areas like Marequita and the valley of Aburrá. In 1581, he founded another important town, which he named Zaragoza de las Palmas.
