Name

Class

Date

The World before the Opening of the Atlantic

Biography

Huayna Capac
WHY HE MADE HISTORY Under Huayna
Capacs rule, the Inca empire greatly expanded its territory and reached the height of its
power.

As you read the biography below, think about

how Huayna Capacs role as leader helped
advance the Inca empire.

Huayna Capac was born in Cuzco, Peru. He is

considered the last great emperor to rule over the
Inca empire. When his father Topa Inca died in
1493, Huayna assumed the throne. During his reign,
the Inca empire reached its greatest level of expansion and power.
During his time as emperor, Huayna Capac spent
long periods away from his empire. What he saw in
other places inspired him to make improvements in
Inca society. Huayna enhanced existing transportation by building new roads. He also is credited with
building many impressive palaces and temples during the years of his rule.
Huayna Capac greatly extended the Inca empire.
For many years he and his armies fought wars
with neighboring peoples. By the time he died, his
empire extended to Quito (in modern Ecuador) in
the north and to Atacama (in modern Chile) in the
south. The total territory of the Inca empire grew to
about 4830 km (about 3,000 miles) long from north
to south and about 645 km (about 400 miles) wide.
While Huayna was traveling on a military expedition in what is now northern Ecuador, he heard
about an outbreak of disease in Cuzco. It is believed
that this epidemic may have been a disease that the

Werner Forman/Art Resource, NY

(?)1525

VOCABULARY
conquistador Spanish conqueror of Mexico, Peru,
or other parts of the
Americas in the 1500s
legitimate legal

Copyright by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

The World before the Opening of the Atlantic

Name

Class

Date

Biography

Huayna Capac, continued

Spanish conquistadors brought with them to the

New World. Regardless, Huayna bravely went to
investigate the epidemic himself. He contracted the
disease and died.
Huayna Capacs death marked the decline of the
Inca empire. Before he died he divided the empire
between his two sons, so that both sons could rule
after his death. At first, Huscar (the legitimate heir
to the throne) agreed to the arrangement, but later
he changed his mind. The two brothers fought for
power, but this conflict only weakened the empire.
With the empire unstable, the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro conquered the Inca empire in
1532.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
1. Recall What improvements did Huayna Capac make to the Inca empire?

2. Draw Conclusions How did Huaynas decision to have the empire divided after

his death weaken the Inca empire?

ACTIVITY
3. Imagine that you were alive during Huayna Capacs time. Write a letter to Huayna

Capac explaining an improvement you would like to see. Explain your reasons for
wanting this improvement.

Copyright by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

The World before the Opening of the Atlantic