The warfare of the Inca civilization was characterised by a high degree of mobility, large-scale engagements of hand-to-hand combat, and the establishment of a network of fortresses to protect an empire of over 10 million subjects. Conquest gave the Incas access to vast new resources and gained prestige for both rulers and those warriors who displayed courage on the battlefield.
More about: Inca WarfareDefinition
Timeline
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1438Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui defeats the Chancas to control the Cuzco Valley and further expand the Inca empire.
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c. 1470The Incas conquer the Chimu civilization based at Chan Chan.
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1471 - 1493Reign of Inca Tupac Yupanqui who doubles the size of the Inca Empire.
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1493 - 1526Huayna Capac reigns as Inca leader and constructs fortresses, religious temples and roads throughout the empire.
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1526 - 1532Civil war between the Inca leaders Waskar and Atahualpa. Atahualpa wins.
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1530The Inca empire reaches its greatest extent.
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16 Nov 1532Battle of Cajamarca where the Inca leader Atahualpa is captured and held for ransom by Spanish forces led by Francisco Pizarro.
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15 Nov 1533Francisco Pizarro takes the Inca capital of Cuzco.