Juan Núñez de Prado (conquistador)

Juan Núñez de Prado
Born	Badajoz, Spain
Nationality	Spanish
Occupation	Soldier
Known for	Conquest of Tucumán

Juan Núñez de Prado was a 16th-century Spanish conquistador who is known for his conquest of Tucumán Province in what is now Argentina.

Juan Núñez de Prado was born in Badajoz, in the Extremadura region of Spain. He moved to Peru in the early 1540s, and became a supporter of Gonzalo Pizarro, taking part on his side in the civil wars. Before 1548 he had been appointed Alcade of the Potosí mines. While holding this office, he went over to the royal forces before the Battle of Jaquijahuana and assisted in the victory over Pizarro's supporters. At the end of the civil war Captain Núñez de Prado returned to the city of Chuquisaca in Upper Peru.

Since the royal forces had triumphed at Jaquijahuana, in 1549 Pedro de la Gasca granted Juan Núñez de Prado the territory of Tucumán in modern Argentina in return for his valuable services. This was a poorly defined area that roughly corresponded to the southern part of modern Bolivia and the northern part of modern Argentina. After receiving La Gasca's instructions for his mission, Núñez de Prado raised money from his property and from some of his friends. He prepared to leave with a force of 84 volunteers.

Núñez de Prado travelled through the valleys of Tupiza, Jujuy and Chicoana to reach his new territory and to find a site for its capital. He chose a location on the banks of the Dulce River and founded the city of El Barco. It was named in honor of La Gasca, who was born in El Barco de Ávila in Spain. He built a fort, and brought settlers from Upper Peru. Prado seems to have wanted to use peaceful methods to civilize the Indians. The territory was occupied by the Calchaquí people. He found that they were not inclined to resist. Prado named his province Tucuman after Tucumamahao, one of the leaders of the local people who formed an alliance with him.

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