The civil war fought between the two sons of Huayna Capac - Atahuallpa and Huascar - led to the downfall of the vast [G 11 / Inca] Empire. It is not exactly certain how Huayna Capac divided the kingdom on his deathbed, but he may have given the northern region around Quito to Atahuallpa and the southern region based at Cuzco to Huascar. Both sons disputed the division of the empire and civil war followed.
Cuzco supported Huascar because he had lived there all his life. Atahuallpa had spent much of his life in the north of the empire where the local tribes supported him as their leader in many of his father's campaigns.
In 1532 the two brothers fought at Riobamba, about 100 miles south of Cuzco. Thousands died in the battle from which Atahuallpa emerged victorious. Further battles were fought at Cajamarca and Yanamarca. Atahuallpa then proceeded south and was proclaimed emperor by the people of each region he passed through. His general, Challcuchima, fought Huascar at Cotabamba on the Apurimac River near Cuzco in a final battle. With Huascar's capture and the surrender of his men, the Cuzquenos pledged allegiance to Atahuallpa. When Atahuallpa heard about the victory, he had all Huascar's family put to death, including his wives and children, and their bodies displayed along the road out of Cuzco.
