Empire: World History 354. Liberator of Latin America: Simón Bolívar vs The Spanish Empire (Part 1)
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Apr 27, 2026 A deep dive into Simón Bolívar’s rise from privileged youth to continental liberator. They trace his childhood trauma, the influence of Enlightenment ideas, and his grand tour of Europe. The story covers his oath on Monte Sacro, fascination with and caution about Napoleon, and the social tensions between Creoles and Spanish administrators.
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Why Bolívar Was Called Iron Ass
- Bolívar earned the nickname Iron Ass due to riding over 75,000 miles on horseback during his campaigns.
- William Dalrymple notes that distance equals three times Earth's circumference, highlighting his extraordinary stamina across jungles and the Andes.
Bolívar's Campaigns Surpassed Classical Conquerors In Scope
- Bolívar liberated six nations: Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, across an area larger than modern Europe.
- Maria Arana's biography compares his campaigns' geographic scope favourably to Alexander, Hannibal, Caesar and Napoleon.
The Real Physical Bolívar Versus The Statue
- Bolívar was smaller in stature than his heroic image suggests, standing about 5 foot 6 with a modest chest and small hands.
- Anita Anand and Maria Arana use portrait measurements to humanize him versus grand equestrian statues.
