The last ruler of the Inca Empire before the Spanish conquest was Atahualpa. He became the emperor in 1532, during a time of internal conflict and civil war, having recently defeated his half-brother Huáscar for control of the empire. Atahualpa's reign was marked by the arrival of Spanish conquistadors led by Francisco Pizarro. In a tragic turn of events, Atahualpa was captured by Pizarro’s forces and, despite paying a substantial ransom in gold and silver, he was ultimately executed. His death marked the decline of the Inca Empire and the consolidation of Spanish colonial power in South America.