Dominic Sandbrook

And he says, fine, quote, Atahualpa must die since he had broken the peace and plotted treason in bringing men to kill the Christians.

Now, the Spanish sources disagree on one thing, and actually historians themselves now disagree.

Was there a trial or wasn't there?

Because some said there was, some said there wasn't.

I think it's because the conquistadors are so legalistic.

They're always so anxious about being drawn into American style lawsuits.

that they have some kind of rudimentary court martial, because we do have accounts of it.

I mean, some kind.

So basically a kangaroo court.

Kangaroo court.

Pizarro and Almagro are the judges, and there's a prosecutor who's basically barking out questions at Atahualpa.

Did you kill Huascar?

Did you force your subjects to sacrifice women and children to your gods?

Were your wars just?

Have you been giving orders for the Spaniards to be killed?

Some of the Spanish sources say the questions were ridiculous and the interpreters were deliberately mangling the questions and Atahualpa's answers to portray him in the worst possible light.

Atahualpa, for all that we've said, he's a very hard man.

He's also a very emotional man.

He breaks down in tears and he says, I can give you twice as much gold and silver as I've already given you if you'll spare me.

And we're told that Pizarro was crying as well.