On 26 July 1533, a rope was tightened around the neck of Inca Emperor Atahualpa in the central plaza in Cajamarca in what is now Peru. The general who ordered his execution, Pizarro, is said to have shed a tear as the life drained from the condemned's body. On paper, the man died a Catholic by the name of Francisco, but he had been forced to change both his name and religion just hours before his death. A decision Atahualpa had made to ensure that his own death could be undone. So he might be resurrected to rule over his people once more. In less than a century, his people had built the biggest empire ever known in the Americas at that time. And his death signalled the end of that great empire. This is the story of the death of the last Inca Emperor, Atahualpa, and the downfall of the Inca Empire.
Filmed on location in Peru. Featuring interviewees from Peruvian archaeologist Solsiré Cusicanqui Marsano and local guide Manual Portal Cabellos. Narrated by Sarah Agha. Produced by Mark Bowsher and Lizeth Yarlequé.
Up Next in More than Just the Tudors
-
Secrets of Shakespeare's Stratford Ep...
In this episode, Alice and Dan discover how the Shakespeare family were rocked by religious turmoil of the 16th century. They visit one of the most notorious Catholic houses in the county, William Shakespeare's schoolroom and the ruins of Evesham Abbey.
-
The British Republic
The Commonwealth of England between 1649 and 1660 is one of the least talked about, yet most defining, periods in British history. Paul Lay comes on the show to discuss this momentous decade, when Britain was a republic.
-
A Tudor Discovery - Thomas Cromwell’s...
History Hit digs deep into a fascinating new discovery that has grabbed the attention of historians across the world.
Prof. Suzannah Lipscomb explores what is being called the most exciting Tudor find ‘in a generation’ as curators at Hever Castle identify a bejewelled, gilded prayer book, tuc...
13 Comments