Atahualpa

MedievalEmperorInca Empire1502 — 1533

Last Inca emperor captured and executed by Francisco Pizarro.

Compare Atahualpa with another historical figure:

Quick Facts

Born

1502

Died

1533

Country

Inca Empire

Era

Medieval

Occupation

Emperor

Score Overview

Military (10%)47

Political (20%)28

Influence (20%)57

Legacy (20%)47

Leadership (15%)39

Strategy (15%)38

Total Score44.5

Atahualpa — Complete Timeline

1532 AD

Victory in the Inca Civil WarWar◆ Major

Atahualpa defeated his brother Hu

Civil WarSuccessionInca Empire

Impact: regionaldestructive

Capture at CajamarcaWar

Francisco Pizarro ambushed Atahualpa at Cajamarca, capturing the Inca emperor after a surprise attack. Spanish forces killed thousands of unarmed Inca attendants while Atahualpa was taken prisoner, marking the beginning of Spanish conquest.

Spanish ConquestAmbushPizarro

Impact: globaltragic

1533 AD

Ransom Room PaymentPolitical Action◆ Major

Atahualpa offered to fill a room with gold and silver in exchange for his release. Over several months, the Inca delivered approximately 6 tons of gold and 12 tons of silver, the largest ransom in history, but Pizarro executed him anyway.

RansomGoldSpanish Greed

Impact: regionaltragic

Execution by GarrotePolitical Action

Pizarro ordered Atahualpa's execution by garrote after a mock trial accused him of treason, idolatry, and ordering Hu

ExecutionSpanish ConquestEnd of Empire

Impact: globaltragic