Gonsalvo

Gonsalvo di Cordova (1453-1515), a great Spanish general, whose real name was Gonzalo Hernandez y Aguilar, was born near Cordova. He distinguished himself as a soldier in the wars with the Moors and Portuguese, and conducted with great skill the negotiation with Boabdil, King of Granada, with which the former closed. He afterwards drove the French from Italy for Ferdinand II. of Naples, and gained by his exploits the title of "the great captain." In 1500 he recaptured Zante, and Cephalonia from the Turks, and three years later again commanded against the French in southern Italy. By the victory of Garigliano (December 29, 1503) he re-established the Spanish kingdom of Naples, of which he was appointed Viceroy soon afterwards. In Spain, however, his enemies intrigued with success against him, and when recalled he thought it best to retire to his estates in Granada, where he died.