Civil War In the mid-1500's CE, an Inca ruler died without first choosing an heir. This created an enormous problem. Two of his sons both wanted to be the next Sapa Inca. They were both qualified. One brother crowned himself Inca. But the other brother did not accept his rule. Civil war broke out in the Inca Empire. For five years, the brothers and their armies fought each other for the right to become the next Sapa Inca. Atahualpa finally won the war. Spanish Arrival - Francisco Pizarro It was not long after this that the Spanish first arrived. The Spanish had heard about the fabled cities of gold from the conquered people who lived along fertile strips in the Coastal Desert. The Incas had little contact anyway with the Mayas and Aztecs, but war had kept them busy. They knew nothing about the Spanish conquest of other tribes in Mexico, to the north. To them, the Spanish were simply invaders. At any other time, the Inca probably would have ordered the immediate death of Francisco Pizarro and his band of 167 men. Unfortunately for the Incas, their new Sapa Inca, Atahualpa, flush with triumph, decided to allow the Spanish intruders safe passage. His plan was to kill some of the intruders and to keep others as slaves. Basically, he was amusing himself. Once Pizarro left the Coastal Desert and entered the Inca Empire in the Andes Mountains, Pizarro knew right away that he was in trouble. The Incas were organized, militant, and numerous. Pizarro and his band of 167 men spent a nervous night, waiting for the arrival of the Sapa Inca, who was coming the next morning to officially greet them. They worked up a plan. Their plan was to kidnap the Sapa Inca, Atahualpa. The Spanish probably had little hope of success. When Atahualpa visited them the next morning, he brought with him a small group of about 2000 priests and attendants. None were armed. He wore an emerald necklace. He was carried on his golden litter - the whole song and dance. It never occurred to him that the intruders might be a problem. When Pizarro's men leaped from their hiding places, they grabbed the Sapa Inca. The priests and attendants did not know what to do. The Spanish killed most of them. Once Atahualpa understood that the Spanish intruders wanted gold and silver - that's why they had come - they had heard about the fabulous Incan cities of gold - Atahualpa offered them a huge ransom for his safe release. He offered a room 22 feet long filled with gold and silver. The intruders could take the gold and silver and leave freely. Atahualpa kept his word. The Spanish did not. Once the gold was delivered, they killed the Sapa Inca and fled with as much gold as they could carry. When they returned, they brought an army with them. It took the Spanish a few years to completely defeat all regions in the Empire. The Spanish took over as the harsh rulers of the Incan people.   Conquistadors  Spanish Conquest of the Incas  How the Spanish Captured Cuzco Return to The Incredible Incas for Kids