Pizarro, Peru, and South America: 1531–1683
Atahualpa, the last Inca ruler, did not consider the small Spanish force to be a threat to his vast army. He invited Pizarro and his men to visit Cajamarca, with Atahualpa himself arriving dressed in ceremonial attire. Pizarro and his men ambushed the unsuspecting Inca army (depicted above) and captured Atahualpa.
Hernando Pizarro led a force south to Pachácamac and other Inca holy sites. He seized gold idols and melted them down. In February 1533, Almagro arrived at Cajamarca with reinforcements. They immediately fought with Pizarro’s men over division of the tons of gold and silver. By summer the ransom chamber was full. Pizarro, however, broke his promise. He accused Atahualpa of plotting against the Spaniards and ordering the murder of his brother Huascar. Atahualpa was killed on August 29, 1533. Atahualpa’s death allowed Pizarro to march throughout the Inca kingdom with limited opposition. In November 1533, the Spanish occupied the Inca capital of Cuzco. They also declared the Inca civil war to be over and appointed Manco Capac, brother of Huascar and Atahualpa,
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