Atahualpa was the last emperor of the Inca Empire, ruling from 1532 until the Spanish conquest led by Francisco Pizarro. His reign marked the end of the mighty Inca civilization, which had dominated much of western South America. Atahualpa became emperor after a brutal civil war against his half-brother Huáscar. Upon encountering Spanish conquistadors, he was initially taken captive and ultimately executed in 1533. His fall symbolizes the rapid decline of native empires following European colonization, leading to significant cultural and social upheaval in the Americas, with lasting ramifications for Indigenous peoples.