The Capture of the Inca (colour litho)

The Capture of the Inca. On 16 November 1532, Pizarro, after ambushing the great square in the town of Caxamarca with artillery and soldiers, held an interview there with the Inca. Atauhuallpa, who was accompanied by five thousand men only partially armed. Atauhuallpa was commanded to embrace the Christian faith, which was briefly explained to him, to give up the administration of his kingdom and to pay tribute to Charles V. The Inca returned a very temperate answer at first, but then began an impassioned speech exposing the designs and cruelties of the Spaniards. Pizarro gave the signal for attack, and the Peruvians, who were completely surprised, were cut down in hundreds. The Inca was seized, imprisoned, and afterwards put to death. Illustration for Hutchinson's History of the Nations (Hutchinson, c.1920).