The primary reason for the Spanish conquest of the Incan Empire was the pursuit of wealth, particularly gold and silver. The Spaniards, led by Francisco Pizarro, were lured by tales of Incan riches and the civilization's vast stores of precious metals. The conquest was characterized by the strategic use of violence, deception, and alliances with rival indigenous groups, which ultimately led to the capture of the Incan emperor Atahualpa. The Spanish aimed to exploit the resources of the land and expand their empire, driven by both greed and the desire to spread Christianity. This led to the rapid decline of the Incan civilization.