Today in History

August 29, 1533
A brutal surprise
Atahuallpa, the 13th Incan emperor, is executed by Spanish conquistadors under Francisco Pizarro, marking the end of the Inca empire. The year before, Atahuallpa had won a civil war against his half brother, and was tricked by Pizarro into attending a victory feast which turned out to be an ambush. After months of captivity, Pizarro’s men execute the emperor, despite his having given Pizarro a vast ransom of 24 tons of gold and silver for his release.












 



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