Pizarro and the Inca vs. Gideon and the Midianites

"The most dramatic moment in subsequent European-Native American relations was the first encounter between the Inca emperor Atahuallpa and the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro at the Peruvian highland town of Cajamarca on November 16, 1532. Atahuallpa was absolute monarch of the largest and most advanced state in the New World, while Pizarro represented the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V (also known as King Charles I of Spain), monarch of the most powerful state in Europe. Pizarro, leading a ragtag group of 168 Spanish soldiers, was in unfamiliar terrain, ignorant of the local inhabitants, completely out of touch with the nearest Spaniards (1,000 miles to the north in Panama) and far beyond the reach of timely reinforcements. Atahuallpa was in the middle of his own empire of millions of subjects and immediately surrounded by his army of 80,000 soldiers, recently victorious in a war with other Indians. Nevertheless, Pizarro captured Atahuallpa within a few minutes after the two leaders first set eyes on each other. Pizarro proceeded to hold his prisoner for eight months, while extracting history's largest ransom in return for a promise to free him. After the ransom   enough gold to fill a room 22 feet long by 17 feet wide to a height of over 8 feet   was delivered, Pizarro reneged on his promise and executed Atahuallpa."   Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond

It seems almost as if this account was simply a story, but various personal recorded accounts verify its accuracy and archaeological evidence indicates that such numbers are plausible. Population estimates for the indigenous peoples of the Americas in about 1500 C.E. range between about 57,000,000 and 70,000,000 Native Americans. As a matter of comparison, European population estimates sit at about 70,000,000 individuals. Of course, the numbers elaborated by the conquistadors in the account are likely somewhat exaggerated, but they are not outside the realm of truth. What is most fascinating though is the fact that a mere 168 conquistadors conquered an estimate of about 80,000 Incan soldiers without losing a single soldier of their own! Diamond continues in explaining the reasons for such Spanish success   their superior technology, frightening appearance, and advantageous circumstance   but I merely want to make a comparison. While reading the account I could not  help but recall the Old Testament account of Gideon's army of 300 men against 135,000 Midianite soldiers. The imbalance was very significant (yet, not nearly as significant as between the conquistadors and the Inca) and victory was awarded to Gideon and his army. The situation was similar: both Gideon and Pizarro led a surprise attack; both the Midianites and Inca stumbled into confusion; and both parties with the numerical disadvantage succeeded. However, it would seem reasonable to conclude that Gideon's army didn't possess the same technological advantage over the Midianites that Pizarro had over the Inca. Then again, perhaps he did. We don't know because we have yet to discover any evidence of the biblical battle. Still, I thought it was an interesting comparison that reminds us that their are many determining factors for any outcome. As well, it is ignorant to conclude that any result is inevitable.