# Atahualpa

> Last Incan emperor

**Wikidata**: [Q179577](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q179577)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atahualpa)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/atahualpa

## Summary
Atahualpa was the last emperor of the Inca Empire, ruling during its final years before Spanish conquest. He held sovereignty over one of South America's most powerful civilizations until his capture and execution by Spanish conquistadors in 1533.

## Biography
- Born: Between 1497 and 1502 (exact date uncertain)
- Nationality: Inca Empire (modern-day Peru region)
- Known for: Being the final ruler of the Inca Empire
- Field(s): Sovereignty, imperial governance
- Instance of: Human (Homo sapiens)
- Occupation: Sovereign (emperor)

## Contributions
Atahualpa's primary contribution was his role as the final sovereign of the Inca Empire, which existed from 1438 to 1533. His reign marked the end of one of South America's most sophisticated pre-Columbian civilizations. Though his rule was cut short by Spanish conquest, he represented the culmination of Inca imperial tradition and governance systems that had governed vast territories across the Andes for nearly a century.

## FAQs
**What was Atahualpa's role in history?**
Atahualpa served as the last emperor of the Inca Empire, ruling during the final period before Spanish conquest in 1533. His capture and execution marked the effective end of Inca imperial power.

**When did Atahualpa live?**
Atahualpa was born between 1497 and 1502 CE and died on August 29, 1533. Some sources suggest possible birth dates in March 1497 or March 1502.

**What empire did Atahualpa rule?**
Atahualpa ruled the Inca Empire, which existed in South America from 1438 to 1533 and encompassed territories across the Andean region.

**Are there any species named after Atahualpa?**
Yes, several species bear his name including Apistogramma atahualpa (fish), Telmatobius atahualpai (amphibian), Mysmenopsis atahualpa (arachnid), and Adaina atahualpa (insect).

**What are alternative names for Atahualpa?**
Atahualpa is also known by the alias Atau Huallpa and the variant spelling Ataw-wallpa.

## Why They Matter
Atahualpa represents the final chapter of one of the Americas' most remarkable pre-Columbian civilizations. His reign and subsequent execution symbolize the end of indigenous imperial rule in South America and the beginning of Spanish colonial dominance. His story illustrates the collision between two vastly different civilizations and marks a pivotal moment in world history when European expansion reached the heart of the Inca Empire. The legacy of his rule connects to broader themes of cultural exchange, conquest, and the transformation of entire continents.

## Notable For
• Serving as the fourteenth and final emperor of the Inca Empire
• Ruling during the empire's peak territorial extent before Spanish conquest
• Being captured and executed by Spanish conquistadors in 1533
• Having multiple species named in his honor (fish, amphibian, arachnid, insect)
• Having an airport in Ecuador named after him (Atahualpa Airport)
• Being documented across numerous international databases and identification systems

## Body
### Early Life and Ascension
Atahualpa was born between 1497 and 1502 CE, during the height of the Inca Empire which had been established in 1438. Various sources provide different potential birth dates including March 20, 1497, or March 20, 1502, though exact dates remain uncertain. As a member of the Inca royal family, he would have received education in imperial governance, religious practices, and military strategy that characterized Inca nobility training.

### Imperial Rule
As the fourteenth and final emperor of the Inca Empire, Atahualpa ruled over one of the largest empires in pre-Columbian America. The Inca Empire, which existed from 1438 to 1533, stretched across vast territories in the Andean region encompassing parts of modern-day Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, and Colombia. His reign came during a period of internal conflict, as he had recently defeated his half-brother Huascar in a civil war for control of the empire.

### Cultural Identity and Naming
Atahualpa is known by multiple names and spellings, including the alias Atau Huallpa and the variant Ataw-wallpa. His name appears in numerous international databases and identification systems, reflecting his historical significance. These include authority control numbers from major libraries and academic institutions worldwide such as the Library of Congress (n82000776), French National Library (12400215q), and German National Library (119192926).

### Species Named in Honor
Atahualpa's historical significance extends into scientific nomenclature, with multiple species bearing his name. These include Apistogramma atahualpa (a species of fish), Telmatobius atahualpai (an amphibian), Mysmenopsis atahualpa (an arachnid), and Adaina atahualpa (an insect). This taxonomic recognition demonstrates his enduring cultural impact beyond historical records.

### Modern Commemoration
His legacy continues in contemporary times with infrastructure named in his honor, including Atahualpa Airport located in Ecuador. This connection shows how his historical importance resonates in modern geographic and transportation naming conventions.

### Death and Historical Impact
Atahualpa died on August 29, 1533, though some sources suggest alternative dates of July 26, 1533, or January 1, 1533. His death marked the definitive end of the Inca Empire and represented a turning point in South American history. His capture and execution by Spanish conquistadors under Francisco Pizarro effectively ended centuries of Inca imperial rule and initiated Spanish colonial control over the region.

### Documentation and Records
Atahualpa is extensively documented across international academic and cultural databases. His records include identifiers from the Virtual International Authority File (67270435), ISNI (0000000078224064), and numerous national library systems. These extensive documentation efforts reflect his significance in global historical records and academic research.

### Legacy and Cultural Memory
The figure of Atahualpa connects to broader themes of indigenous sovereignty, colonial encounter, and cultural transformation in the Americas. His position as the last Inca emperor makes him a focal point for understanding the transition from pre-Columbian civilization to European colonial rule in South America. His story continues to be studied in historical, anthropological, and cultural contexts as representing the end of an era in American civilization.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.google.com.ar/books/edition/Hysterically_Historical/B3CZCgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Atahualpa%20%20March%2020%2C%201497&pg=PT80&printsec=frontcover)
2. Integrated Authority File
3. datos.bne.es
4. International Standard Name Identifier
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. [Source](http://www.diccionariobiograficoecuador.com/tomos/tomo8/a12.htm)
7. [Source](https://books.google.fr/books?id=ZE_p5xbspBwC&pg=PA372&dq=at+his+death+atahualpa+was+just+noticeably&lr=&as_brr=3&ei=AzqlSp3DOKTwMpHmjJMI#v=onepage&q=%22thirty%20years%22)
8. Biblioteca Virtual Miguel de Cervantes
9. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
10. Czech National Authority Database
11. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
12. IdRef
13. CERL Thesaurus
14. Quora
15. [Source](http://dbe.rah.es/biografias/10477/atau-huallpa)
16. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands