648. The Fall of the Incas: Battle for the Sacred City (Part 5) - The Rest is History Recap

Podcast: The Rest is History

Published: 2026-03-02

Duration: 1 hr 8 min

Guests: Katie Kay, Anthony Scaramucci

Summary

The episode reaches the climax of the Spanish conquest of the Incas, focusing on Manco Inca's valiant uprising against his oppressors. This dramatic and tragic tale highlights betrayal, fierce battles, and the eventual stalemate that shaped the fate of the Inca Empire.

What Happened

In 1535, Manco Inca, the puppet emperor installed by the Spanish, began to criticize the greed and cruelty of Pizarro and his men, leading to an uprising. Despite initially being a figurehead, Manco seized the opportunity to lead a resistance against the Spanish, who had killed his brother Atahualpa and decimated his empire. Pizarro's men had installed Manco in Cusco after quelling opposition in the northern Inca territories, but growing tensions and Spanish mistreatment led to rebellion.

Manco's resistance gathered momentum in early 1536, as he plotted with his brother, the high priest Vilak Umu, against the Spaniards. Manco cleverly used the Spaniards' greed to escape Cusco, promising Hernando Pizarro a giant golden statue. This allowed him to amass a force of approximately 100,000 people, armed with clubs and slings, to lay siege to Cusco.

The siege began on May 6, 1536, with the Inca forces significantly outnumbering the Spaniards, who had only about 200 men and 500 native allies. The Incas used innovative tactics, like setting fire to Cusco's thatched roofs with heated stones wrapped in cotton. Despite the chaos, Hernando Pizarro refused to surrender, and the siege dragged on for months, eventually reaching a stalemate.

Almagro's return from a failed expedition in Chile added complexity to the conflict. He attempted to side with Manco against the Pizarros, but Manco, wary of Spanish treachery, tested Almagro's intentions by asking him to execute captured scouts. Almagro's refusal to do so led Manco to distrust him, and he eventually withdrew his forces, recognizing he couldn't defeat two Spanish armies.

After Manco's withdrawal, Almagro entered Cusco as a conqueror, imprisoning Hernando and Gonzalo Pizarro. Almagro promoted Manco's half-brother, Paulu, as a more compliant puppet Inca emperor. Manco retreated to Vilcabamba in the jungle, establishing a state in exile and setting the stage for further conflict.

This episode paints a vivid picture of the complex dynamics during the Spanish conquest, highlighting the internal conflicts among the Spaniards and the resilience of Manco's forces. The Spanish feuds and Manco's strategic maneuvers exemplify the turbulent struggle for control and the eventual fragmentation of the Inca Empire.

Key Insights

• In 1535, Manco Inca cleverly exploited the greed of Hernando Pizarro by promising him a giant golden statue. This allowed Manco to escape Cusco and gather a force of approximately 100,000 people to lay siege to the city.
• During the siege of Cusco in 1536, the Inca forces used heated stones wrapped in cotton to set fire to the city's thatched roofs. This tactic, despite the Inca's numerical advantage, failed to break the stalemate with the Spaniards.
• Almagro's return from a failed Chilean expedition added a twist to the Inca revolt by attempting to ally with Manco against the Pizarros. Manco tested Almagro's intentions by demanding the execution of captured scouts, which Almagro refused, leading to mistrust.
• After Manco's strategic withdrawal from the siege of Cusco, Almagro imprisoned Hernando and Gonzalo Pizarro and installed Manco's half-brother Paulu as a puppet emperor. This move temporarily shifted the power dynamics but ultimately couldn't prevent further conflict.

Key Questions Answered

How did Manco Inca's leadership influence the resistance against the Spanish?

Manco Inca utilized his position and the discontent among the Incas to orchestrate a significant uprising against the Spanish. His strategic use of the Spaniards' greed and innovative military tactics showcased his leadership and determination to restore Inca sovereignty.

What role did Diego de Almagro play in the conflict between the Incas and Spaniards?

Diego de Almagro attempted to exploit the ongoing conflict between the Incas and Pizarro's faction by aligning himself with Manco. However, his inability to gain Manco's trust and his eventual imprisonment of the Pizarros added another layer of complexity to the Spanish conquest.

What strategies did the Incas use during the siege of Cusco?

The Incas employed innovative tactics such as using heated stones wrapped in cotton to set fire to the thatched roofs of Cusco. Their numerical superiority allowed them to surround the city, although ultimately they were unable to break the stalemate against the well-defended Spanish positions.