Inca Empire

Inca Empire:

What Could Have Been

Watching the 2 videos on the Inca Empire was very enlightening. I learned much about the Inca customs, farming, community and religion. I wondered as I viewed the film, how different the country of Ecuador might be if the Incas had defeated the Spanish. A family divided decided that fate.

Two Brothers

In 1526, the ruler of the Incas, Huayna Capac, died. The custom of the time was to leave the empire to one son. Instead, Huayna divided the Inca Empire between his two sons, Hu'ascar of Cuzco and Atahualpa of Quito. This was the first time in the history of the Incas that the empire was divided.

A rivalry between the brothers soon began and worsened over time. The Inca of Cuzco with Hu'ascar as their ruler went to war against his brother Atahualpa and the Incas of Quito. After several years of fighting, Atahualpa finally defeated his brother and was thus became the sole ruler of the weakened and still divided Inca Empire.

In 1532, Francisco Pizarro arrived with plans to conquer the Incas. A meeting was arranged between Pizarro and Atahualpa. Although, Atahualpa was prepared to negotiate with the Spaniards, Pizarro had other ideas. When the Inca