Battle of Cajamarca
Cajamarca, Peru
What happened
The Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, with Friar Vicente de Valverde and Hernando de Soto, faced Atahualpa, the ruler of the Inca Empire. Atahualpa had just won a civil war against his half-brother Huáscar and was camped outside the town of Cajamarca when a Spanish force of about 180 men arrived. The Spanish hid around the open square in the town. Atahualpa entered with many attendants, the talks with the friar broke down, the Spanish attacked, and Atahualpa was taken prisoner.
Why it matters
Result: Spanish victory. Leaders: Francisco Pizarro / Hernando Pizarro against Atahualpa. Why it matters: Capturing the Inca ruler opened the way for the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire. Historians still debate whether to call the event a battle or a massacre.
What came next
Atahualpa offered to fill a large room once with gold and twice with silver to win his freedom. He died on 26 July 1533, still in Spanish hands.
Did you know?
The ransom room Atahualpa offered to fill was about 6.7 metres long and 5.2 metres wide, filled to a height of about 2.4 metres.
Timeline
- 1529 CECivil war begins between Atahualpa and his half-brother Huáscar.
- 16 November 1532 CEThe Spanish capture Atahualpa at Cajamarca.
- 26 July 1533 CEAtahualpa dies in Spanish custody.