An Inca Account of the Conquest of Peru

Description

Available in English for the first time, An Inca Account of the Conquest of Peru is a firsthand account of the Spanish invasion, narrated in 1570 by Diego de Castro Titu Cusi Yupanqui—the penultimate ruler of the Inca dynasty—to a Spanish missionary and transcribed by Titu Cusi's mestizo secretary. Titu Cusi tells of his father's maltreatment at the hands of the Spaniards; his father's ensuing military campaigns, withdrawal and murder; and his own succession as ruler. This vivid narrative illuminates the Incan view of the Spanish invaders and offers an important account of native peoples' resistance, accommodation, change, and survival in the face of the Spanish conquest. Ralph Bauer's outstanding translation, annotations, and introduction offer critical context and background for a full understanding of Titu Cusi's times and the significance of his words. Co-winner of the 2005 Colorado Endowment for the Humanities Publication Prize.