Inca Civil War

Inca Civil War
Illustration by John Harris Valda, envisaging an encounter between Huáscar and Atahualpa on a battlefield during the civil war
Date 1529 – April 1532 Location Peru and Ecuador Result Atahualpista victory Reunion of the Inca Empire under the rule of Atahualpa Execution of Huáscar Starting of the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire
Belligerents
Huascaristas	Atahualpistas
Commanders and leaders
Huáscar  Atoc † Hango † Topa Atao  Ullco Colla † Tito Atauchi Uampa Yupanqui Guanca Auqui Agua Panti Paca Yupanqui	Atahualpa Chalcuchima Quizquiz Rumiñawi Ukumari Tomay Rima †
Strength
~400,000; 100,000 Ecuadorian Cañaris	Initially 50,000–100,000 At peak some 250,000
Casualties and losses
Possibly more than 100,000 killed Tumebamba destroyed	Unknown
estimated 60,000 to 1,100,000 killed

The Inca Civil War, also known as the Inca Dynastic War, the Inca War of Succession, or, sometimes, the War of the Two Brothers, was fought between half-brothers Huáscar and Atahualpa, sons of Huayna Capac, over succession to the throne of the Inca Empire. The war followed Huayna Capac's death.

It began in 1529, and lasted until 1532. Huáscar initiated the war; appointed as emperor and claiming the throne, he wanted to defeat Atahualpa's competition. Atahualpa was tactically superior to his brother in warcraft and to the mighty armies of Cusco, which their father had stationed in the north part of the empire during the military campaign. Accounts from sources all vary in the exact details.

Following Atahualpa's victory, Spanish forces led by Francisco Pizarro invaded this region. He ultimately captured and killed Atahualpa, after receiving a ransom that was purportedly to free him. The Inca Civil War has been characterized as an important factor in enabling the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire.