In 1532, Francisco Pizarro – with less than 200 men – seized control of the Inca Empire – one of the largest, most powerful, and wealthiest empires ever in the New World. It’s an extraordinary tale that will unfold over the course of a decade (and then some), and is filled with battles, treachery, and lots and lots of blood.
Episodes
Francisco Pizarro and the Conquest of the Inca Empire – Part 1
In the first episode in this series, we cover the early life of Pizarro, as well as his first two exploratory expeditions to South America and Peru – where he gets a glimpse of the wealth of the Inca. We wrap up with Pizarro going to Spain to get a license to conquer Peru and its people.
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Francisco Pizarro and the Conquest of the Inca Empire – Part 2
Francisco Pizarro sets out to Peru with less than 200 men – looking to conquer the Inca Empire, which was embroiled in a civil war. We will detail his journey – as well as elements of the Inca Empire – and conclude with the meeting of Pizarro and the Inca Emperor – Atahualpa.
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Francisco Pizarro and the Conquest of the Inca Empire – Part 3
In this episode, the Inca Emperor, Atahualpa, offers Pizarro massive roomful of gold in exchange for his freedom. After that, it is on to Cusco – the empire’s capital and its wealthiest city.
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Francisco Pizarro and the Conquest of the Inca Empire – Part 4
In part 4 of our series, Diego de Almagro heads south on his own expedition of conquest. Meanwhile, the treatment of the Inca people at the hands of the Spanish drives the young emperor, Manco, to plot rebellion – which leads to the Siege of Cusco.
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Francisco Pizarro and the Conquest of the Inca Empire – Part 5
The siege of Cusco continues while an army of 50,000 bears down on Francisco Pizarro in Lima. Meanwhile, Manco Inca is forced to make a major decision when Diego de Almagro makes his long awaited return from his failed campaign in Chile.
Image and information about Ollantaytambo.
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Francisco Pizarro and the Conquest of the Inca Empire – Part 6
The rivalry between Francisco Pizarro and Diego de Almagro comes to a head at the Battle of Las Salinas. Meanwhile, the ever pesky Inca under Manco continue to be a thorn in the side of the Spanish, resulting in multiple campaigns to Vitcos and Vilcabamba.
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Francisco Pizarro and the Conquest of the Inca Empire – Part 7
The Spanish continue to explore Peru and the lands beyond, while unhappy supporters of the late Diego de Almagro plot their revenge. It will mark a bloody end for many of our drama’s characters.
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Francisco Pizarro and the Conquest of the Inca Empire – Part 8
In the final chapter of our saga we focus on another civil war in Peru – this between Gonzalo Pizarro and the Spanish Crown. We then detail the end of the Inca Empire.
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Maps
This image represents Pizarro’s route through Peru and ultimately down to Cuzco. Click on it to see a larger version. You may have to search around, but you should be able to find most of the places mentioned in the podcast. Source – By William Robert Shepherd – “The Historical Atlas by William R. Shepherd, 1923” from http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/shepherd/conquest_peru_1531_3.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=527710
Resources
The Last Days of the Incas, by Kim MacQuarrie. Excellent book about the fall the Inca.
Pizarro: Conqueror of the Inca, by Stuart Stirling. Another quality look at Pizarro and the conquest of the Inca Empire.
Wikipedia Pages
- Francisco Pizarro
- Atahualpa
- Inca Empire
- Diego de Almagro
- Ollantaytambo (many images as well as information)
Explorers Podcast 
