Inca Empire

The Inca Empire was the largest empire in pre-Columbian America, stretching along the Andes from its capital at Cusco, famed for its roads, stonework and administration until its conquest by the Spanish in the 1530s.

Key Takeaways

• The Inca Empire was the largest empire in pre-Columbian America.
• It stretched along the Andes, ruled from the capital at Cusco.
• It was famed for its road network, stonework and terraced agriculture.
• It fell to Spanish conquistadors under Francisco Pizarro in the 1530s.

Rising in the Andes in the 15th century, the Inca Empire united a vast mountain realm through roads, terraced farming and a centralized state, building wonders such as Machu Picchu before falling to Spanish conquistadors.

The Inca Empire was the largest state ever built in the Americas before the arrival of Europeans. From their sacred capital at Cusco, the Inca ruled a realm stretching thousands of miles along the spine of the Andes.

Without the wheel or a writing system, they bound their empire together with an astonishing network of roads, bridges and runners, mastered farming on mountain terraces, and raised stone cities like Machu Picchu. But a war of succession left the empire divided when the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro arrived, and the capture of the emperor Atahualpa in 1532 sealed its fall during the age of exploration.

Key Achievements

• Built a vast network of roads and bridges across the Andes.
• Mastered mountain agriculture with terraces and irrigation.
• Constructed remarkable stone cities, including Machu Picchu.

Notable Figures of Inca Empire

Atahualpa

78

Emperor · 1502 – 1533

Atahualpa was the last independent ruler of the Inca Empire, who had just won a civil war for the throne when he was captured and executed by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, ending Inca rule over the Andes.

• Last Inca emperor
• Capture at Cajamarca

Atahualpa

78

Emperor · 1502 – 1533

Atahualpa was the last independent ruler of the Inca Empire, who had just won a civil war for the throne when he was captured and executed by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, ending Inca rule over the Andes.

• Last Inca emperor
• Capture at Cajamarca

Frequently Asked Questions

How did the Inca Empire fall?

It was conquered by Spanish forces under Francisco Pizarro in the 1530s, who exploited a civil war and captured the emperor Atahualpa.