Pizarro Captures Atahualpa at Cajamarca

On November 16, 1532, a small Spanish expedition led by Francisco Pizarro executed a surprise ambush against the Inca sovereign Atahualpa in the central square of Cajamarca. Pizarro had entered the largely vacated mountain town the previous day with 168 men. Outside the settlement lay an Inca army of tens of thousands, seasoned by recent campaigns in an internal civil war against Atahualpa's half-brother Huascar. Confident in his numerical advantage and intending to overawe the foreign newcomers, Atahualpa agreed to meet the Spaniards inside the town, leaving the bulk of his armed soldiers camped in the surrounding meadows.

The ruler entered the plaza shortly before sunset, carried upon an ornate litter adorned with silver and parrot feathers. He was preceded by singers clearing his path and accompanied by a procession of several thousand courtiers, attendants, and commanders dressed in ceremonial clothing. These attendants carried only small display axes rather than weapons of war. Expecting an imposing peaceful audience, Atahualpa had instructed his primary combat force to remain stationed outside the town, unaware that Pizarro had concealed infantry, cavalry, arquebuses, and four small artillery pieces inside the structures bordering the square.