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The Rest Is HistoryThe Fall of the IncasFebruary 19, 2026

645. The Fall of the Incas: Massacre in the Andes (Part 2)

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Audio URL: https://pdst.fm/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/GLT2938007438.mp3?updated=1771499648
About this episode
What happened when the Spanish conquistadors lead by Francisco Pizarro came face to face with the ruthless emperor of the Incan Empire, Atahualpa? How did the Incas treat their strange, pale, alien visitors with their horses? And, why did a brutal, bloody fight to the death break out between the two sides after the meeting? Join Dominic and Tom, as they discuss one of the most totemic meetings of all time - the emperor of the Incas Atahualpa and the Spanish buccaneer Francisco Pizarro. Would either survive the confrontation that ensued? Become a member today and join us at The Rest Is History Festival at Hampton Court Palace on the 4th and 5th of July 2026. This is a members-only event. Join the Athelstans for guaranteed entry or become a Friend of the Show to enter the ballot. You'll also get ad-free listening, bonus episodes, exclusive miniseries and more.Sign up now at ⁠therestishistory.com and find out more about the festival here.UTM: http://therestishistory.com/club?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=trihfestival&utm_term=listeners&utm_content=episodedescription _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Video Editors: Jack Meek + Harry Swan Social Producer: Harry Balden Producers: Tabby Syrett & Aaliyah Akude
Book mentions
10 book mentions in this episode.
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Books Mentioned

The Men of Cayamaca cover
The Men of Cayamaca
James Lockhart

“A brilliant book of historical detective work called The Men of Cayamaca by James Lockhart, American historian, written about 1970, where he really dug into where they were all from and what they all did.”

Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: Spanish conquest of the Inca
For: Historians and enthusiasts of colonial history
Key quote: “There's a brilliant book of historical detective work called The Men of Cayamaca by James Lockhart, American historian, written about 1970, where he really dug into where they were all from and what they all did.”
The host mentions 'The Men of Cayamaca' to highlight the historical context and the backgrounds of the individuals involved in the Spanish conquest. The book provides a detailed examination of the soldiers' origins and motivations, which adds depth to the discussion of Pizarro's expedition.
ASIN: N/A
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Wuthering Heights cover
Wuthering Heights

“We will be looking at thrilling Gothic bodice rippers like Wuthering Heights and Frankenstein, as well as iconic stories like The Great Gatsby or Little Women.”

Sentiment: Passing Reference
Trigger: Gothic literature exploration
For: Literature enthusiasts and casual readers
Key quote: “We will be looking at thrilling Gothic bodice rippers like Wuthering Heights and Frankenstein.”
The host mentioned 'Wuthering Heights' as an example of thrilling Gothic literature while introducing their new podcast about books. This reference highlights the show's intention to explore the historical contexts and stories behind famous literary works.
ASIN: N/A
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Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
Frankenstein cover
Frankenstein

“We will be looking at thrilling Gothic bodice rippers like Wuthering Heights and Frankenstein, as well as iconic stories like The Great Gatsby or Little Women.”

Sentiment: Passing Reference
Trigger: Gothic literature examples
For: Fans of Gothic literature and book enthusiasts
Key quote: “We will be looking at thrilling Gothic bodice rippers like Wuthering Heights and Frankenstein, as well as iconic stories like The Great Gatsby or Little Women.”
The host mentioned 'Frankenstein' as part of a broader discussion about Gothic literature and iconic stories. It serves as an example of the types of books they will explore in their new podcast series.
ASIN: 1954839081
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Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
The Great Gatsby cover
The Great Gatsby

“We will be looking at thrilling Gothic bodice rippers like Wuthering Heights and Frankenstein, as well as iconic stories like The Great Gatsby or Little Women.”

Sentiment: Passing Reference
Trigger: historical contexts in literature
For: Literature enthusiasts and casual readers
Key quote: “we will be looking at thrilling Gothic bodice rippers like Wuthering Heights and Frankenstein, as well as iconic stories like The Great Gatsby or Little Women.”
The host mentioned 'The Great Gatsby' as part of a broader discussion on iconic stories that will be explored in their new podcast. This reference highlights the show's intent to delve into the historical backgrounds and narratives of famous literary works.
ASIN: N/A
Search on Amazon
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Little Women cover
Little Women

“We will be looking at thrilling Gothic bodice rippers like Wuthering Heights and Frankenstein, as well as iconic stories like The Great Gatsby or Little Women.”

Sentiment: Passing Reference
Trigger: iconic stories in literature
For: Literature enthusiasts and casual readers
Key quote: “we will be looking at thrilling Gothic bodice rippers like Wuthering Heights and Frankenstein, as well as iconic stories like The Great Gatsby or Little Women.”
The host briefly mentions 'Little Women' as part of a list of iconic stories that will be discussed in their new podcast series. This reference highlights the show's intention to explore the historical contexts and narratives behind famous literary works.
ASIN: N/A
Search on Amazon
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
Game of Thrones cover
Game of Thrones

“We're going to be talking about the historical contexts behind some of the greatest and most famous books of all time... and then also some more modern stuff. So Game of Thrones, Normal People, The Hunger Games, Hamnet, all manner of exciting stories.”

Sentiment: Passing Reference
Trigger: Game of Thrones style struggle
For: Fans of historical drama and political intrigue
Key quote: “So very Game of Thrones style struggle for the throne.”
The host mentions 'Game of Thrones' to illustrate the intense power struggle between the Inca brothers, Huascar and Atahualpa. This comparison highlights the dramatic nature of their conflict, akin to the political intrigue found in the popular series.
ASIN: 0345535529
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Normal People cover
Normal People

“We're going to be talking about the historical contexts behind some of the greatest and most famous books of all time... and then also some more modern stuff. So Game of Thrones, Normal People, The Hunger Games, Hamnet, all manner of exciting stories.”

Sentiment: Passing Reference
Trigger: modern literature analysis
For: Readers interested in contemporary literature.
Key quote: “So Game of Thrones, Normal People, The Hunger Games, Hamnet, all manner of exciting stories.”
The host briefly mentions 'Normal People' as part of a broader discussion about modern literature. This inclusion highlights the show's intention to explore a variety of significant books across different genres and eras.
ASIN: N/A
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The Hunger Games cover
The Hunger Games

“We're going to be talking about the historical contexts behind some of the greatest and most famous books of all time... and then also some more modern stuff. So Game of Thrones, Normal People, The Hunger Games, Hamnet, all manner of exciting stories.”

Sentiment: Passing Reference
Trigger: modern storytelling techniques
For: Readers interested in modern literature and its historical implications.
Key quote: “we will be looking at thrilling Gothic bodice rippers like Wuthering Heights and Frankenstein, as well as iconic stories like The Great Gatsby or Little Women.”
The host mentioned 'The Hunger Games' as part of a broader discussion about modern literature and its historical contexts. It serves as an example of a contemporary story that reflects significant themes relevant to today's audience.
ASIN: B07HHJ7669
Buy on Amazon
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
Hamnet cover
Hamnet

“We're going to be talking about the historical contexts behind some of the greatest and most famous books of all time... and then also some more modern stuff. So Game of Thrones, Normal People, The Hunger Games, Hamnet, all manner of exciting stories.”

Sentiment: Passing Reference
Trigger: modern literature discussion
For: Readers interested in contemporary literature and book discussions.
Key quote: “So Game of Thrones, Normal People, The Hunger Games, Hamnet, all manner of exciting stories.”
The host briefly mentions 'Hamnet' as part of a broader discussion about various books that will be covered in their new podcast series. It serves as an example of modern literature that they plan to explore alongside classic works.
ASIN: N/A
Search on Amazon
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
The Conquest of the Incas cover
The Conquest of the Incas
John Hemming

“John Hemming, in his brilliant book, The Conquest of the Incas, said, you know, how do you know how many people died? Somewhere between 2,000 and 8,000, even if you take a kind of lower estimate.”

Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: Battle of Cayamaca
For: Historians and readers interested in colonial history
Key quote: “John Hemming, in his brilliant book, The Conquest of the Incas, said, you know, how do you know how many people died? Somewhere between 2,000 and 8,000, even if you take a kind of lower estimate.”
The host discusses the brutal massacre of the Incas during the Battle of Cayamaca, highlighting the overwhelming force of the Spanish conquistadors. John Hemming's book, 'The Conquest of the Incas,' provides a detailed account of the violence and chaos that ensued, emphasizing the staggering loss of life.
ASIN: N/A
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Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.