The last Inca emperor: Who is Atahualpa?

(1502-1533) tried to resist Pizarro's invasion of Peru but was unsuccessful. In 1525, he became king of the Quito region upon the death of his father, Huayna Capac. He fought with his brother Huascar to become the Inca emperor until 1530 when he took over the empire. But two years later, in November 1532, Francisco Pizarro and his 180 soldiers landed on the Peruvian coast. Atahualpa met Pizarro in Cajamarca. Pizarro asked Atahualpa that the Incas 'convert to Christianity and recognize King Carlos V of Spain as their master. After examining the Bible presented to him and discussing it with Father Valverde, Atahualpa eventually refused both requests. Attacking immediately, the Spaniards defeated the Incas with their firearms and captured Atahualpa.

Atahualpa (c. 1502 – 26–29 July 1533), was the last Inca Emperor, although he did not manage to be officially crowned as such. The name Atahualpa comes from a construction of the Puquina language, a language that was used by the Inca nobility. It is made up of the Quechua words /ata-w/ (appointed or chosen) and /wallpa/ (diligent, diligent or courageous).

Knowing that he could not keep an entire empire under his control for a long time with 180 people, Pizarro wanted to use Atahualpa as a hostage. However, Atahualpa offered to fill his cell with gold in exchange for his freedom. Pizarro took the gold but did not release Atahualpa. Shortly after, he accused him of killing his brother Huascar and sentenced him to death by burning. When Atahualpa accepted Christianity at the last moment, this sentence was commuted to death by drowning, and Atahualpa was killed in 1533. His death broke all the resistance of the Incas against the Spanish invasion, and Pizarro went down in history as the "Conqueror of Peru".