The Downfall of the Mighty Inca Empire
How Francisco Pizarro conquered the Inca empire, in part by executing the emperor Atahuallpa.
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail Wellcome Collection, London (Public domain)
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Women weren't passive observers to the war around them.Media Editor: Lauren Sims
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Learn about Operation Barbarossa, the German-led invasion of the Soviet Union that began in June 1941. From The Second World War: Triumph of the Axis (1963), a documentary by Encyclopædia Britannica Educational Corporation.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Historical interpreter Stephen Seals talks about how he educates the public on the history of slavery at colonial Williamsburg.
-
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail © Heritage Pictures/Dreamstime.comOverview of Spain's colonial history.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.African colonization changed history—and the map.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.From Columbus' hallowed voyage to the majestic cathedrals and basilicas, southern Europe has long been a stronghold of Roman Catholicism.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Learn about the Altiplano region of Bolivia and Peru by viewing its vast plains, high plateaus, and Lake Titicaca.
Transcript
NARRATOR: It's 1532 and Francisco Pizarro's band of conquistadors are crossing the Andes to conquer the Inca Empire. Inca scouts monitor the Spanish advance and send updates to their emperor, Atahualpa, using signaling mirrors. For the moment, however, all is calm.
PROFESSOR JOSÉ ANTONIO DEL BUSTO: "Atahualpa waited patiently. He was curious to know what was going on and his scouts reported back to him that the invaders looked like Gods. Atahualpa believed, that Pizarro was the white God of Inca legend and that he was coming to pay his respects to this mighty Inca emperor."
NARRATOR: Suddenly, the Incas appear on the surrounding hills. Pizarro estimates their number at 12,000. As the Spanish watch, Atahualpa is carried out on a throne made from pure gold into the middle of a grand square. This is the first time the Spanish see for themselves the legendary riches of the Inca Empire. Pizarro's priest approaches the Inca Emperor armed with a crucifix and Bible. He pleads with Atahualpa to renounce his heretical beliefs and swear allegiance to the Spanish throne. Unable to read the Bible, Atahualpa holds it to his ear like an ancient Indian oracle. When he hears nothing, he throws it to the ground. This act of sacrilege is the excuse the conquistadors need to open fire. Atahualpa is taken captive. During his imprisonment, Atahualpa learns to read and write under the instruction of Pizarro. To the Spanish soldiers, Pizarro's leniency towards Atahualpa is incomprehensible.
DEL BUSTO: "It's said that there was an interdependent relationship between Pizarro and Atahualpa. And it's true. Atahualpa wanted to save his own life and regain his freedom, while Pizarro was desperate to get his hands on the Inca treasure and gain glory. Both had very different interests, but really they complemented one another. They needed one another."
NARRATOR: In an attempt to save the life of their emperor, the Incas pay the Spanish a ransom. It's the largest treasure haul the new world has yet provided. But it's no guarantee and Pizarro sentences Atahualpa to death, possibly under pressure from his soldiers. Atahualpa's death marks the end of Peru's once mighty Inca Empire. On this night, thousands of Incas slit their wrists to be reunited with their God in the afterlife. Meanwhile, Pizarro orders the Inca gold to be melted down into ingots. It takes 34 days and nights until all the Inca riches have been destroyed.