Who is Atahualpa?

Atahualpa (c. 1500–1533), also known as Atawallpa, was the last reigning emperor (Sapa Inca) of the Inca Empire. He was the son of the late Inca, Huayna Capac, and younger half-brother of Huáscar, who inherited the throne in Cusco. Following Huayna Capac's death from smallpox, a civil war broke out between Huáscar and Atahualpa, who was based in Quito, Ecuador.

In 1532, while the civil war was still ongoing, the Spanish conquistadors, led by Francisco Pizarro arrived in South America and took advantage of the conflict between the two brothers to conquer the Inca Empire. Pizarro sent an envoy, Hernando de Soto, to meet Atahualpa and invite him to a meeting in Cajamarca, promising not to harm him.

Atahualpa agreed to the meeting, but he also brought a large army with him. On November 16, 1532, Atahualpa and his entourage entered the Plaza de Armas in Cajamarca, where they found the Spanish troops waiting. Pizarro ordered his men to attack, and Atahualpa was captured.

The Spanish held Atahualpa prisoner for several months, demanding a ransom in order to release him. Atahualpa agreed and ordered that the Spanish be given a room full of gold and silver. However, Pizarro still executed him by garroting in 1533.

Atahualpa's death marked the end of the Inca Empire. The Spanish went on to conquer and rule much of South America for the next three centuries.