c. 5th century BCE – c. 5th century★★★★★
Nazca Lines created
In the desert of southern Peru, the Nazca and earlier cultures create enormous geoglyphs on the ground, best seen in full from above.
CultureArt· Peru
Countries / Latin America
History of Peru
7 notable historical events in Peru, in chronological order.
5th century BCE
15th century
- c. 1438★★★★★
Pachacuti begins the expansion of the Inca Empire
Pachacuti becomes ruler of Cusco and transforms the small kingdom into the Inca Empire (Tawantinsuyu), the largest empire of pre-Columbian America.
DynastyPolitics· Peru - c. 1450s★★★★★
Construction of Machu Picchu
The Incas build Machu Picchu high in the Andes, most likely as an estate for the emperor Pachacuti.
Culture· Peru
16th century
- November 16, 1532★★★★★
Pizarro captures Atahualpa at Cajamarca
A small Spanish force led by Francisco Pizarro ambushes and captures the Inca emperor Atahualpa, beginning the fall of the Inca Empire.
War· Peru, Spain - January 18, 1535★★★★★
Pizarro founds Lima
Francisco Pizarro founds Lima, which becomes the capital of the Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru.
Politics· Peru
19th century
- December 9, 1824★★★★★
Battle of Ayacucho
Independence forces under Antonio José de Sucre defeat the Spanish army in Peru, effectively ending Spanish rule in South America.
WarRevolution· Peru, Spain - 1879 – 1884★★★★★
War of the Pacific
Chile defeats Peru and Bolivia in a war over the mineral-rich Atacama Desert; Bolivia loses its access to the sea.
War· Chile, Peru, Bolivia