History of the Conquest Peru

The book delves intothe significant events surrounding the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire,exploring the rich history and societal structures of the Incas prior to theirencounter with European forces. Prescott aims to weave a narrative thatpresents both the cultural depth of the Peruvian civilization and the dra-matic consequences of its subjugation. The opening of the work begins witha detailed preface in which Prescott outlines his methodology for gatheringhistorical sources, including documents and manuscripts from prominentSpanish historians. He emphasizes the importance of understanding thefoundational aspects of Inca civilization before delving into the conquestitself, which he introduces as a turbulent saga of both the Incas and theSpanish Conquistadors. The text paints a vivid picture of the geographicaland political landscapes of Peru, setting the stage for a deeper explorationof how the Incas developed their empire, their contributions to society, andthe events that led to their downfall at the hands of the Spanish invaders.While the important revolution detailed in the preceding pages was goingforward in Peru, rumors of it, from time to time, found their way to themother-country; but the distance was so great, and opportunities for com-munication so rare, that the tidings were usually very long behind the occur-rence of the events to which they related. The government heard with dis-may of the troubles caused by the ordinances and the intemperate conductof the viceroy; and it was not long before it learned that this functionary wasdeposed and driven from his capital, while the whole country, under Gon-zalo Pizarro, was arrayed in arms against him. All classes were filled withconsternation at this alarming intelligence; and many that had before ap-proved the ordinances now loudly condemned the ministers, who, withoutconsidering the inflammable temper of the people, had thus rashly fired atrain which menaced a general explosion throughout the colonies.1 No suchrebellion, within the memory of man, had occurred in the Spanish empire.