The Inca Empire 1438-1533 CE

Geography Largest pre-Columbian empire Stretched 5000+ km along western coast of South America Andes Mountains Modern-Day: Peru & Chile Cuzco- Political and Military hub Identified themselves as “The Children of the Sun” Inca, Inka, Incan

Historical Records Had no written language No first-hand records remain Only oral history & Spanish observations First Emperor Manco presented as a god to justify his “holy authority” Along with brothers and sisters, called forth from the earth Wandered the land until they came to Cuzco Killed the original inhabitants Typical origin story Justify connection to the land Superiority over other peoples

Kingdom of Cuzco (Cusco) Located on the Andean mountain ranges small city-state founded around the 12th century through warfare and assimilation its area of control expanded Cuzco became central government with 4 surrounding provinces Sapa Inca “the Only Inca” Ruler of Cuzco & eventually all of empire succeeded by the Inca Empire (1438- 1533)

Sapa Inca First Dynasty 1200-1350 CE little is known, tied to mythical foundation story Began with Manco Capac- son of the Sun god passed from father to son rule limited to city of Cuzco Mayta Capac (First Dynasty 4 of 5) a great warrior conquered many surrounding tribes Second Dynasty 1350-1533 CE Began with Inca Roca Ended with Atahualpa Incan civil war exploited by Spanish Post-Spanish conquest 1533-1572 CE Most rulers installed by Spanish Tupac Amaru- final Sapa Inca

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu Most well-known Incan historical site mistakenly referred to as the "Lost City of the Incas" located in Cusco region Believed that it was an estate for Emperor Pachacuti  built on a mountain ridge 7,970 ft above sea level Built around 1450, but abandoned during  Spanish Conquest not known to the Spanish, never plundered unknown to the outside world until 1911

Road System “Inca Trail” 39,000 km of roads Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, and Colombia Key for movement of troops and communication Runners used for information transfer Llamas & alpacas for transport Never discovered the wheel “Inca Trail” ends in Machu Picchu still travelled today

Road System

Quipu Cord & Knot based record keeping system Used in various cultures, including ancient China Recorded taxes, census records, and military organization   cords contained information encoded by knots could have only a few or up to 2,000 cords few have survived to modern day

Quipu

Bridges Key part of the road system suspension bridges over rivers and gorges Building material: Natural Fibers woven into rope Wooden floor boards Tied to massive rocks on either side Rebuilt every year Spanish marveled at strength Spanish Cavalry could cross Only 1 Incan Bridge remains Rebuilt every June

Age Grade Taxation Population divided into 12 “Age Grades” Based on Age and Usefulness to the state Most important: able-bodied men Each category had specific job expectations Taxation Collected in the form of labour Citizen, Nobles and the Emperor worked the state land Both planting and harvesting Would stop working based on rank Artisans were exempt from taxation Weavers, Metal workers, Potters

Military Constant expansion = importance of Military 200, 000 soldiers at height Spies sent to report on wealth and resources of a region 2 Forms of Conquest Peaceful Conquest Benefits: gifts, money, women to create family connections Children of local ruler travel to Cuzco to be trained for future rule Demands: land, labour, and soldiers Violent conquest Hand to hand warfare the defeated leader would be executed Population relocated or killed Weaponry Ax, Club, Spear, Sling, Bow & Arrow, Bolas headdresses and silver/bronze breastplates necklaces made from the teeth of enemies Adopted Spanish Swords and Cavalry

Military Begin battle with insults and demonstrations of strength Overwhelm opponent with numbers Fake retreat and catch enemy in Pincer maneuver Hannibal would have been proud