Atahualpa

Atahualpa was the last fully independent Incan emperor of Peru. In 1532 he was taken hostage by the Spaniards, who wanted control of the empire. He was executed in 1533 for allegedly plotting against Spanish explorer Francisco Pizarro. Library of Congress

Atahualpa (1500?-1533), 12th and last Inca ruler of Peru (1532-1533). After the death of his father, the Inca ruler Huayna Capac, in about 1525, Atahualpa disputed the succession with his half brother, the Inca ruler Huáscar.

Atahualpa defeated Huáscar in 1532 and subsequently imprisoned Huáscar and put to death all the members of the royal family he believed might try to dethrone him. Later that year he was treacherously taken prisoner by the Spanish explorer Francisco Pizarro, the invader of Peru, and thousands of his followers were massacred. On the basis of perjured evidence, Atahualpa was found guilty of conspiring against Pizarro and was executed.