JULY 26, 1533

QUITO INCA ATAHUALPA EXECUTED BY SPAIN—LAST SAPA INCA (INCA EMPEROR)

Atahualpa was born March 20, 1497*, in Cuzco—the traditional Incan capital [in modern Peru]). When his father died, circa 1527, the kingdom was divided between Atahualpa, ruling from Quito, and older brother Huáscar, ruling from Cuzco. The resulting civil war ravaged cities and decimated the population. In early 1532, Atahualpa defeated and captured Huáscar and had his family executed. While Atahualpa was preparing to enter Cuzco in triumph, conquistador Juan Pizarro entered the city with 180 men. On November 15, 1532, Pizarro invited Atahualpa to a feast in his honor. When Atahualpa arrived, Pizarro captured him while his forces slaughtered thousands of unarmed Incas. Atahualpa then offered a room filled with gold as ransom. Incans brought gold and silver objects which the Spaniards had melted into bullion and ingots–24 tons worth. At this point, Atahualpa was given the choice of being burned alive or dying by the garrote if he became a Christian. Atahualpa converted and was strangled.

Source:  “Atahuallpa: Emperor Of The Incas,” Encyclopedia Britannica.  Retrieved 7/8/2019, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Atahuallpa                                        
Painting:  Author unknown.  Date:  16th century.  Public Domain.

*  Other sources put his birth in 1502.