In 1532, Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro (1471–1541) led an expedition that destroyed the Inca Empire in Peru, marking the beginning of Spanish conquest in South America.

Pizarro and his force of fewer than 200 men advanced into northern Peru, using deception and small gifts to gain the trust of the indigenous people. He invited the Inca king Atahualpa to a supposed dinner to show respect, then suddenly attacked, killing 12 of the king’s attendants and capturing Atahualpa.

Before the arrival of the Spanish, the Inca Empire was a powerful state dominating western South America, with an army of 70,000–80,000 soldiers armed with traditional weapons such as wooden clubs, stone axes, spears, lances, bows, and slings.

The Inca soldiers were terrified by Spanish cavalry. When dozens of mounted Spaniards charged, the Incas—never having seen horses—dropped their weapons and fled. Thousands were killed by the pursuing cavalry.

Atahualpa promised to fill a room with gold and two rooms with silver as ransom for his freedom. After the ransom was delivered, Pizarro did not release him; instead, he executed the Inca king, using deception and betrayal to destroy the empire and subjugate the indigenous people.