Part 87

Explore the history of the Inca civilization in Civilization V, from Pizarro's conquest to the reign of Pachacuti, and learn how their unique abilities impact gameplay.

This section details the historical context surrounding the Inca civilization in Civilization V, focusing on the Spanish conquest and the reign of Pachacuti. It also touches upon the gameplay benefits of playing as the Inca.

The Spanish Conquest of the Inca:

The Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire was a brutal and devastating period. Following Pizarro's initial victory at the Battle of Puná, his men explored inland. Hernando de Soto encountered Atahualpa, who invited Pizarro to meet. The Spanish demanded the Incas accept Charles I of Spain as emperor and convert to Christianity. Misunderstandings led to the Spanish attacking Atahualpa's camp and taking him hostage. Atahualpa offered a vast ransom of gold and silver, which Pizarro accepted but did not honor. After Huascar's assassination, Pizarro falsely accused Atahualpa and had him sentenced to death in August 1533. Manco, Atahualpa's younger brother, was placed in charge by the Spanish. He later attempted to reclaim his empire in 1536 but was defeated and fled to the mountains, ruling for 36 years. The last Incan stronghold fell in 1572, and Manco's son, Tupac Amaru, was executed. The Spanish rulers oppressed the native population, forcing families to work in mines with high mortality rates. Diseases like smallpox, typhus, influenza, diphtheria, and measles decimated the population, with smallpox alone killing 60% to 90%. By 1618, much of the Incan culture was lost, leaving behind scattered tribes and ruins.

Pachacuti and the Expansion of the Inca Empire:

Pachacuti, the ninth ruler of the Kingdom of Cusco, transformed it into the expansive empire of Tawantinsuyu, stretching from modern-day Chile to Ecuador. He was the son of Inca Virococha and initially second in line to the throne after his brother Urco. During a Chanca invasion, while his father and brother fled, Pachacuti rallied the remaining army, defeated the invaders, and earned the title "The Earth Shaker." Upon becoming sole ruler in 1438, he launched successful invasions, expanding the empire significantly. Pachacuti also employed diplomacy, sending spies to gather intelligence and then inviting leaders to submit peacefully. Those who agreed sent their children to Cusco for education in Incan law, indoctrination, and marriage into the nobility, ensuring peaceful expansion. He established four provinces governed by local officials and created separate branches for the priesthood and army, forming an early system of checks and balances. Cusco was rebuilt as the Imperial Capital, and Machu Picchu was constructed as his mountain estate. Pachacuti died in 1471, succeeded by his son Tupac.

Inca Gameplay in Civilization V:

The Inca civilization in Civilization V offers advantages through their special power, which reduces the maintenance cost of tiles. This makes developing tiles, such as building farms, cheaper, leading to increased city growth and allowing players to spend gold on other aspects of their empire. Additionally, the Inca have no movement penalty on hills, granting them a tactical advantage in positioning and attacking units from outside defensive ranges.