In the 1500's, an Inca ruler died without first choosing his replacement. This created a problem. His son and his brother both wanted to be the next Sapa Inca or king. Civil war broke out in the Inca Empire. For five years, these two and their armies fought each other for control. Finally, one of them won the war. This civil war weakened the Inca Empire. Also contributing to weakening the Inca was the disease called smallpox. It had come from Mexico where the Aztec and other tribes lived. Many Inca people died.
It was not long after this that the Spanish first arrived. The Spanish had heard about the cities of gold and wanted to get even richer. The new Sapa Inca, was cocky with his victory, and decided to allow the Spanish intruders into the empire. His plan was to kill some of them and to keep some as slaves.
Francisco Pizarro was the explorer leading a group of 168 men from Spain. Once Pizarro entered the Inca Empire, he knew he might be in trouble. The Incas were organized, strong, and had many men. Pizarro and his guys spent a nervous night waiting for Sapa Inca. Sapa Inca was coming the next morning to officially greet them. The Spanish worked up a plan. Their plan was to kidnap the king. The Spanish had little hope of success since Sapa Inca was always carefully guarded and they were way outnumbered.
When Sapa Inca visited them the next morning, he brought men with him. However, none were carrying weapons. It never occurred to Sapa Inca that the intruders might be a problem because they had them so outnumbered. When Pizarro's men jumped from their hiding places, they grabbed the Sapa Inca. The Spanish killed most of Sapa Inca’s men and took the king prisoner.
Once Sapa Inca understood that the Spanish intruders wanted gold, he offered them a huge ransom for his safe release. He offered 3 rooms filled with gold and silver. The intruders could take this and leave freely. Sapa Inca kept his word and did not give his men the order to attack the Spanish. Instead, Sapa Inca thought he could buy his freedom and stay alive. Pizarro and the Spanish did not keep their word. Once the treasure was delivered, they killed the Sapa Inca and attacked. Inca enemies pledged their support to the Spanish hoping to gain control of the empire themselves.
Eventually, Pizarro and the Spanish army took over all of the Inca empire. Pizarro settled in the capital city of Cuzco and later built the city of Lima. He was killed by another enemy but the Inca empire had still been destroyed.