The Inca Civil War: Huáscar vs. Atahualpa
The Inca empire fell into civil war around 1529 between the brothers Huáscar and Atahualpa, and was still recovering from it when Pizarro landed. Their father Huayna Capac died of an epidemic around 1527 — almost certainly smallpox, which had crossed from the Caribbean and travelled overland far ahead of any European — along with his designated heir and a large part of the court. Inca succession had no fixed rule of primogeniture. The ruler chose the ablest son by his principal wife, and if he died without a clear designation the choice fell to the panaca lineages and the priests. Huáscar was installed at Cuzco, the capital and the ceremonial centre. Atahualpa held the north around Quito with the veteran armies and the generals Quisquis, Chalcuchima and Rumiñahui, who had campaigned there with their father. The war ran several years across the whole length of the empire and ended around 1532 with Huáscar's forces destroyed near Cuzco and Huáscar himself captured. Atahualpa was at Cajamarca with his army, on his way south to claim the throne, when Pizarro arrived with 168 men. He was seized in the square in November 1532 and had Huáscar killed from captivity to prevent the Spanish dealing with him instead. The conquest that followed was possible because half the empire had just been beaten by the other half and was willing to help. Huáscar's supporters and the subject peoples of the coast joined Pizarro as allies. Disease had also killed a large share of the population before anyone fired a shot.
- Year: 1529 CE
- Category: Military
