Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Enter the Incas
The Inca presence dates back to the 12th century, in the area around Cuzco. For several
hundred years, they remained a small regional state, until 1438, when their ninth king,
Inca Yupanqui, defended Cuzco from the invading Chanka people to the north. Em-
boldened by his victory, he took the name Pachacutec, which means 'Transformer of the
Earth,' and proceeded to bag much of the Andes. Under his reign, he grew his territory
from a regional fiefdom in the Cuzco Valley into an empire of 10 million people , cover-
ing most of Peru, as well as parts of Ecuador, Bolivia and Chile.
Pachacutec's grandson, Huayna Cápac, continued this expansion. By the early 16th
century, the Inca empire extended well into present-day Colombia. Unfortunately, Huayna
Cápac wouldn't be around to savor his victories. He died unexpectedly in 1525. Without a
clear plan for succession, two of the king's children fought for control: the Quito-born
Atahualpa, who commanded the Inca armies of the north, and Huáscar, who was based in
Cuzco. The ensuing struggle plunged the empire into a bloody civil war, with Atahualpa
emerging the victor in April of 1532. The vicious nature of the conflict left the Incas with
enemies throughout the Andes, which is why some tribes were willing to cooperate with
the Spanish when they arrived just five months later.
The Spanish Invade
Francisco Pizarro landed in Tumbes, on the
north coast of present-day Peru, in September
of 1532 with a shipload of arms, horses and
slaves and a battalion of 168 men. Atahualpa, at
this time, was in the northern highland city of
Cajamarca, on his way to Cuzco to claim his
throne. The Spaniard quickly deduced that the
empire was in a fractious state. Pizarro went to
Cajamarca and approached Atahualpa with
promises of brotherhood, but soon enough, he
and his men had launched a surprise attack that
left thousands dead and Atahualpa a prisoner of
war. And thus began one of the most famous
ransoms in history: in order to regain their lead-
er's freedom, the Incas filled an entire room
Historic
Churches
1 IGLESIA DE SANTA DOMINGO, LIMA (
