Prelude to Cajamarca
Huascar had become Sapa Inca in 1527 having succeeded his father, Huayna Capac. He was also the beneficiary of good timing because the original successor, Huascar’s brother, Ninan Cuyochi, was leader for only a few days before he succumbed to smallpox-like Huayna did. However, his half-brother, Atahualpa, also laid claim to the throne and so began a bitter and violent civil war that lasted for five years. Both sides had approximately 60,000 men apiece but Huascar suffered defeat at the Battle of Chimborazo and Battle of Quipaipan. He was captured after the latter loss and Atahualpa occupied Cusco.
Although Atahualpa had emerged victorious, the civil war severely weakened the empire with tens of thousands of men killed in the fighting. Moreover, the disharmony between the warring factions meant it was a simple matter for Pizarro and his men to march on Cusco. When Atahualpa was ultimately captured, Huascar and his followers in the province of Cusco celebrated instead of looking to fight the invaders.
Subterfuge
By November 14, 1532, Pizarro had reached the outskirts of the city of Cajamarca and saw an Incan army with between 50,000 and 80,000 soldiers. His men were frightened as they marched towards the Inca camps but knew that any sign of weakness would result in their deaths. He asked his brother, Hernando, and a trusted officer, Hernando de Soto, to walk to the middle of the camp and speak to the emperor. It is said that the two conquistadores were imposing figures as they boldly marched into Atahualpa’s camp in full armor.
Contrary to popular belief, Atahualpa was not intimidated by the soldiers or their horses. The Spaniards invited him to meet in Cajamarca the following day and the Sapa Inca agreed. Pizarro knew that luring the Incas into a trap was their only chance of victory so he ordered his entire cavalry unit and most of his men to hide in the town’s buildings. A couple of small cannons, named falconets, were used to offer cover in the square and the Spaniards waited for several hours before the Inca Emperor and his retinue showed up.
Initially, Atahualpa announced that he wouldn’t be coming for another day but Pizarro, through a messenger, persuaded the Sapa Inca to come after, telling him that a great banquet had been prepared in his honor. He left most of his army behind and was accompanied by around 6,000 unarmed nobles. Atahualpa was naïve and had no idea of the character he was dealing with. When they arrived at the town square, the Inca were surprised to see no Spaniards present and called out an inquiry.
Eventually, Friar Vincente de Valverde arrived with an interpreter. He carried a missal and a cross and approached Atahualpa while announcing that he was an emissary of the Spanish crown and God. Valverde demanded that the Inca Emperor accept Catholicism as his faith and Charles V of Spain as his ruler. The friar gave him either a book (which they said was the writing of God and the King) or a letter. Either way, Atahualpa was infuriated and tossed it to the ground. Little did he realize it, but he was just moments away from losing everything.