mes were torn down and new homes for the conquistadors were built by reluctant Mexican laborers. It is ironic that very little gold was found in the city as compared to what was expected. And so, in the year of 1525, the Aztec world had its end. The Inca history, from their mythical beginning ca. 1200 AD, was dominated by constant territorial expansion. As told in the origin stories, the founder of the Inca dynasty and its capital Cuzco, was Manco Capac. For centuries after his reign the kingdom was expanding by conquering more territory. But in the early 1500's something unusual happened. The current Inca emperor Huayna Capac, who extended Inca control of the lands as far as present-day Argentina, died suddenly in 1527 AD. It is likely that he died of smallpox or another such disease. And his sudden death left the question of succession unsettled, leading to a struggle between two of his sons, that later became a civil war. Unfortunately for Atahuallpa Inca, who seemed to have gained the advantage over his brother Huascar in the struggle to become emperor, the Spaniards arrived at exactly the wrong time. Francisco Pizzaro, fuelled by Cortes's success in conquering the Aztecs and acquiring riches in Mexico, determined to go south to a land where stories told of a great kingdom of a fabulous wealth. After two preliminary excursions, Francisco Pizzaro, with 168 Spaniards and a number of horses, arrived in Inca territory in May, 1532. Atahuallpa was informed that some strangers were waiting to meet him, but he was more concerned about consolidating his power. This leaded to his capture by Pizzaro a few months later. In return for his life he offered Pizzaro gold, but after receiving the gold Pizzaro executed him in July 26, 1533. By being in the right place at exactly the right time, and by being ruthless and deceitful, Francisco Pizzaro was able to quickly capture the ruler of the Incas, throw the empire into disarray, and rapidly gain we...
