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1200
1200 AD
The Inca tribe, led by Manco Capac, founded the city of Cuzco in the Cuzco Valley region. -
Period: 1200 to 1400
1200 to 1400 AD
The Inca live in and around the city-state of Cuzco. During this period of time they do not try to expand their area of control. -
1438
1438 AD
Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui becomes the leader of the Inca. He begins to conquer nearby tribes and expand the control of the Inca Empire. He reorganizes the government into the Tawantinsuyu and builds the city of Machu Picchu. -
1471
1471 AD
Tupac Inca Yupanqui, Pachacuti's son, becomes emperor. He will greatly expand the Inca Empire. -
1476
1476 AD
Emperor Tupac defeats the Chuma Empire and their lands become part of the Inca Empire. -
1493
1493 AD
Huayna Capac, Tupac's son, becomes emperor. The Inca Empire will reach its peak under the reign of Huayna Capac. -
1525
1525 AD
Emperor Huayna Capac dies from a plague. This was likely smallpox brought by the Spanish conquistadors. A large portion of the Inca population will die from smallpox and other diseases over the next several years. -
1525
1525 AD
The sons of Emperor Huayna, Atahualpa and Huascar, fight over the crown. The Inca Empire fights a civil war for the next five years. -
1532
1532 AD
Atahualpa defeats Huascar and becomes the emperor. At the same time, Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro arrives in Peru. Pizarro captures Atahualpa and holds him for ransom. -
1533
1533 AD
The Spanish execute Atahualpa and install Manco Inca as Emperor. -
1535
1535 AD
Francisco Pizarro founds the city of Lima, Peru and names it the capital of the region. -
1537
1537 AD
Manco Inca flees to Vilcabamba and forms an Inca government separate from the Spanish. -
1541
1541 AD
Francisco Pizarro is killed. -
1572
1572 AD
The Spanish execute the last of the Inca emperors, Tupac Amaru, signaling the end of the Inca Empire.