battle spanish took place january forces emperor spanish expedition led spanish conquest peru ally rebelled besieged spanish garrison city end stand besieged mounted raid emperor headquarters town expedition commanded included indian army strong controversy actual location battle according took place town argues nearby plain better matches descriptions encounter case army managed hold spanish forces set high flood position hinder cavalry severely pressed unable advance withdrew night despite victory arrival spanish reinforcements forced abandon seek refuge heavily forested region established small independent survived prelude group led landed shores starting spanish conquest peru time empire emerging civil war defeated brother claim title strength small force captured ambush november ordered execution emperor july occupied capital months later replace installed brother puppet ruler died shortly brother crowned place stage generals opposition spanish advance sizable empire population fought civil war joined enemies maintained relations defeated generals rule empire came realize real authority rested spanish hands house looted mob following episode emperor subject constant harassment demanded gold took away wives imprisoned response fled capital start uprising army besieged garrisoned group native allies hard pressed managed resist counterattack main stronghold generals occupied central highlands peru annihilated expeditions sent reinforce failed attempt recently founded spanish capital result events able break months garrison decided direct attack headquarters town kilometers northwest city order battle gathered troops large number recruits tribes amazon forces militia army farmers rudimentary weapons training regular fare empire military service duty married men years old combat soldiers organized according ethnic group led battle native leaders called melee weapons clubs spears ranged weapons arrows protective gear included helmets shields cloth armor wooden clubs stone bronze heads rarely able penetrate spanish armor missile throwing weapons somewhat effective accuracy large size projectiles soldiers match spanish cavalry open terrain resorted fighting rough terrain digging pits open fields hinder mobility horses attack led senior spanish commander force infantry cavalry estimated native allies main assets armies spanish cavalry horses provided considerable advantage hitting power speed stamina warriors wore kind armor commonly types chain mail shirts cloth armor lighter cheaper armor suits complemented steel helmets small iron wooden shields main spanish offensive weapon steel sword horsemen supplemented lance weapons easily penetrate armor worn troops firearms rarely spanish conquest peru scarce hard use despised horsemen weapon relied heavily indian provided thousands warriors support personnel supplies native troops sorts arms armor counterparts campaign expedition included thousands mainly members nobility opposed battle main access route runs narrow valley formed mountains connects site west east uprising fortified eastern approaches fend attacks capital spanish occupation line defense steep bank near confluence rivers cross valley right left forming lines backed fortifications left bank right bank past plain high closed valley mountains deep canyon formed way continue gate thick defensive wall narrow event fortifications overrun religious center surrounded high overlooking provided line defense faced constraints spanish expedition cross river times fight ford stiff opposition bulk army confronted set overlooking plain spanish assaults failed shower arrows coming flanks hinder efforts spanish cavalry flooded plain previously prepared channels water eventually reached horses defenders spanish weapons captured previous encounters swords armor horse ridden severely compromised situation ordered retreat cover darkness spanish force fled valley pursuit reached day battle site actual location battle subject controversy according canadian explorer spanish forces occupied plain main army located citadel temple hill overlooking town protected seventeen swiss architect argues topography town surrounding area match contemporary descriptions battle anonymous account attributed claims army occupied set seventeen chronicle describes gate flanked walls way thinks descriptions set close plain near include heavily fortified gate location faced left steep hill right matching sides attacked battle hypothesis correct river diverted flood battlefield smaller affluent runs alongside town aftermath success encouraged renewed attempt discovered army concentrating near city mounted night attack inflicted heavy casualties april spanish army led returned long expedition chile occupied imprisoned brother wanted city spanish troops joined previously tried negotiate settlement efforts failed armies clashed near position consolidated reinforcements decided close withdrew west town sent lieutenant pursuit numerous indian july occupied sacked taking prisoners managed escape took refuge remote location established lasted capture execution emperor
Battle of Ollantaytambo