‘Blazing Like the Sun’ The First Spanish Sighting of the Incan Capitol of Cusco
The Spanish expedition sent to conquer and subjugate the Inca empire was vastly outnumbered by the Incan army. The Spaniards used a display of friendliness to trick the Incans and kidnap their emperor. They then extorted him for rooms full of silver and gold ordered from around the empire. The Spaniards never intended to release him as they had promised. Growing impatient with the speed at which their ransom was coming in, three Spaniards travelled to the Incan capital on royal palanquins. One notary and two illiterate sailors made the trip on November 15th, 1533. The ancient Inca capitol of Cusco was covered with so many plates of gold it was described as blazing like the sun.
