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The Inca and the Looting of Gold and Silver in Peru

The Inca and the Looting of Gold and Silver in Peru

The history of Peru is rich in gold and silver, precious metals that played a crucial role in Inca culture and the Spanish conquest. These elements not only symbolized material wealth but were also imbued with religious and social meanings. The looting of these metals during the conquest not only transformed the fate of an empire but also had profound repercussions in Europe. This blog explores the fascinating history of the Inca and the looting of gold and silver in Peru, highlighting key moments that marked this tumultuous period.

Gold: A Sacred Value

Gold in Peru has a history that transcends the material, being considered a symbol of divinity and power. For the Incas, gold represented the sweat of the sun, and its possession was an exclusive privilege of the Inca. Religious ceremonies were often accompanied by offerings of gold, which were used in rituals to honor the gods. The abundance of gold in Peru impressed the Spanish conquerors, who were astonished by the splendor of Inca wealth upon their arrival in the New World. The arrival of Peruvian gold in Europe transformed the economic landscape of the continent, elevating Spanish kings above other European monarchs and consolidating the idea that gold was the engine of power and domination.

Huáscar and Atahualpa: Fraternal Rivalry

The story of Huáscar and Atahualpa is one of ambition and betrayal at the heart of the Inca Empire. Huáscar, the first emperor, found himself embroiled in a conflict with his brother Atahualpa, who had expanded the empire to the north. In a context of civil war, Atahualpa was captured by the Spanish under the command of Francisco Pizarro in Cajamarca. This confrontation marked the beginning of the collapse of the Inca Empire, where internal rivalries became fertile ground for Spanish intervention. Control over wealth and power was the axis of this struggle, and precious metals became the loot that the conquerors sought to obtain at all costs.

Capture of Atahualpa: A Deadly Deception

The capture of Atahualpa in Cajamarca is a key episode that symbolizes the encounter between two worlds. Atahualpa, along with his entourage, was in the central square when the Spaniards surprised him. Pizarro used a friar to present him with the Bible, a gesture that culminated in the Inca's capture. This act was not only a demonstration of Spanish cunning but also an underestimation of the Incas towards the conquerors. In his attempt to resist, Atahualpa dismissed the Christian symbol, provoking the Spanish attack and leading to the annihilation of his guard. This event not only sealed Atahualpa's fate but also opened the door to the looting of the riches of the Inca Empire.

Atahualpa’s Imprisonment: An Imminent Ransom

Despite his imprisonment, Atahualpa proved to be a shrewd man. Aware of the value of gold, he offered Pizarro a monumental amount of riches in exchange for his freedom. The promise to fill the Room of Ransom with gold and silver unleashed a looting frenzy in the Inca Empire. Pizarro, eager for wealth, accepted the offer, and news of the proposal spread quickly, motivating the Inca elite to contribute to the ransom of their leader. However, as the pieces of gold and silver arrived, the conquerors began to melt them down, transforming a rescue opportunity into a spectacle of greed that would forever change the perception of Inca gold.

Death of Huáscar: A Silent Murder

The story of Huáscar, imprisoned by Atahualpa, is tragic and marked by betrayal. While Atahualpa sought to consolidate his power, it was feared that Huáscar could ally with the Spaniards. In this context, Huáscar's murder was ordered by his own guards, an act that further solidified the oppression and violence of the moment. Huáscar's death not only meant the disappearance of a rival but also allowed Atahualpa to continue his strategy of resistance against the Spaniards. Ambition and the desire for power became driving forces in the destruction of the empire, where fraternal conflict left the Incas vulnerable to invasion.

Death of Atahualpa: The Final Act

The death of Atahualpa is a tragic outcome that symbolizes the culmination of the conquest. The Spaniards' fears of a possible Inca rebellion led Pizarro to organize a futile trial, where Atahualpa was accused of various crimes. In the end, the decision to execute the Inca was driven by the greed and desperation of the conquerors. His death not only signified the loss of an indigenous leader but also symbolized the fall of an empire that had endured centuries of history. The execution of Atahualpa and the way he was treated in his final moments reflect the brutality of the conquest and the disdain for Inca culture, marking a before and after in the history of Peru.

Pizarro in Cusco: The False Liberation

As the Spaniards advanced toward Cusco, the city became a scene of looting. Pizarro and his troops were received as liberators, an irony that reveals the confusion and suffering of the Incas. The arrival of the Spaniards in the Inca capital was not only a military triumph but also marked the beginning of a wave of systematic looting. The treasures that abounded in Cusco were stripped without compassion, and the wealth of the empire was taken to Europe, transforming the economic landscape of the continent. This looting became a symbol of Spanish greed and the devastation of Inca culture, leaving an indelible mark on the history of Peru.

 

 

The looting of gold and silver in Peru is a dark chapter in the history of the Spanish conquest. From the rich Inca tradition to the brutality of the capture and death of Atahualpa, this process transformed not only the European economy but also marked the extinction of a culture rich in symbolism and meaning. The struggle for power between Huáscar and Atahualpa, as well as the manipulation and betrayal of the conquerors, illustrate a critical moment in history. The Inca wealth, once revered, became the target of unrestrained greed that redefined the fate of a continent.

Sources Consulted

  • Pizarro, Pedro. Chronicles of the Conquest of Peru. Lima: Tarea Publishing House, 2016.
  • Cieza de León, Pedro. The Chronicle of Peru. Lima: National Library of Peru, 2000.
  • Loayza, Javier. "Inca Gold and Its Impact on Europe." Journal of History and Culture, vol. 34, no. 2, 2019, pp. 45-67.
  • Salazar, José. Pre-Inca Cultures and Their Relationship with Gold. Lima: San Marcos University, 2021.
  • Torres, Mario. Atahualpa: The Last Inca. Lima: Planet Publishing House, 2018.

 

 

Article originally published on [11/10/2021], updated on [10/23/2024]


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