BENALCAZAR, or BELALCAZAR, Sebastian de (bay-nal-cah'-thar), Spanish soldier, born in Benalcazar in the latter part of the 15th century" died in Popayan, Colombia, in 1550. He left Spain in 1514 and joined Pedraria's expedition, but refused to give his real family name, Moyano, and for this reason his companions called him after his native town. When he reached America he soon became noted for his gallantry, and formed a friendship with Pizarro. He took the city of Quito in 1533, and then made an expedition to the Territories now belonging to Colombia, where he met, at Cundinamarca, three other Spanish leaders, who had gone to that place from different points. After conquering Popayan, he was appointed governor of that part of the country in 1538. Some years later he was compelled to resign, and then became involved in legal proceedings and other troubles, which caused his death before he could return to Spain.