HOME | DD

Setting Sun — Description

The Inca Empire was one of the largest empires in pre-Columbian America. The Inca rulers had used various tactics, some violent and some peaceful, to assimilate surrounding lands into their territory ever since its founding in 1438. But, as with most of American history, a relatively smooth history was completely destroyed and ruined when Europeans arrived in the lands. In 1526, Francisco Pizarro, a Spanish explorer with ties to the Templars, entered Inca territory with his army. He saw that the land was full of riches and decided “Hey! Let's steal all this stuff too and be complete jerks to all the people we conquer in the process!” Stupid European expansionism always ruining everything.

And so in 1532, the Spanish came marching in. They took advantage of their superior weaponry and armor, their Old World diseases that wiped out hundreds if not thousands of native Incas, and the civil war that was going on at the time between the two rulers of the Inca Empire, Huáscar and Atahualpa. Atahualpa ultimately won the civil war with the help of the Assassins, but was ultimately defeated by the Spanish forces, who captured him during the Battle of Cajamarca. The Spaniards tricked Atahualpa into handing over massive amounts of gold and silver before torturing and executing him on July 26, 1533. The Assassins had sent their agent, Don Gonzalo Pardo, to stop the execution and save the Inca Empire, but he failed. Don Gonzalo fell into a drunk depression because of his failure, and the Inca Empire was all but conquered before the year was out.

The Spanish installed Atahualpa’s brother, Manco Inca Yupanqui, in power soon after. For a while, Manco Inca seemed to be a puppet of the Spanish, but he soon revolted against his former allies. In 1536, he led his forces against the Spanish during the Siege of Cuzco, which lasted well into 1537. During the siege, Pizarro recruited an Inca councilor, Tuti Cusi, to kill Manco Inca. Cusi’s daughter-in-law, a speedy chasqui (Inca messengers) named Quila, discovered the plot and quickly set out to stop it. With the help of her husband and Don Gonzalo, Quila was able to reach the Emperor and warn him. They revealed Cusi’s intentions and had him locked away for treason against the Inca. As thanks, Manco Inca appointed Quila as his personal courier.

The Assassins later managed to hunt down Francisco Pizarro in 1544 and end his life. However, despite this victory, the Spaniards killed Manco Inca later that same year. Manco Inca was succeeded by his son, Túpac Amaru, but the new ruler was also unable to ward off the Spanish threat. The last Inca stronghold was conquered in 1572, and Túpac was captured and murdered that same year. The Inca were practically destroyed after that, and the Spanish were quick to force the natives to abandon their cultures and traditional practices. So let this be a lesson to you: if the Spanish Inquisition unexpectedly comes knocking at your door, don't let them in. Only bad things will happen.