CORONADO

coronado, francisco vasquez de (c. 1500-c. 1545), spanish explorer of the south-western part of the united states of america. he accompanied antonio de mendoza to new spain in 1535; by a brilliant marriage, became a leading grandee, and in 1539 was appointed governor of the province of new galicia. the report presented by fray marcos de niza concerning the "seven cities of cibola" (now identified almost certainly with the zuni pueblos of new mexico) aroused great interest in mexico; melchior diaz was sent late in 1539 to retrace fray marcos's route and report on his story; and an expedition under coronado left compostela for the "seven cities" in february 1540. this expedition consisted of a provision train and droves of live-stock; several hundred friendly indians, spanish footmen, and more than 250 horsemen. coronado, with a part of this force, captured the "seven cities." the fabled wealth, however, was not there. in the autumn (1540) coronado was joined by the rest of his army. meanwhile exploring parties were sent out: tusayan, the hopi or moki (moqui) country of north-eastern arizona, was visited; garcia lopez de cardenas discovered and described the grand canyon of the colorado; and expeditions were sent along the rio grande (tuguez), where the army wintered. the indians revolted but were put down. the army, reinspirited by the tales of a plains-indian slave[1] about vast herds of cows (bison) on the plains, and about an eldorado called "quivira" far to the