Inca

Inca Empire Almost 12 million people Ran about 2,500 miles along the western coast of South America Capital – Cuszo (City of the Sun) which was located in present-day Peru 1400 and 1500s Had large reserves of gold and silver

Inca Civilization Worshipped many gods God of the sun was the most important to the Inca

Inca Civilization Organized society with a network of about 14,000 miles of roads Had runners who carried messages throughout the empire Built rope bridges over rivers and canyons

Ancient Ruins Known for many great architectural achievements including stone roads and huge stone buildings Many of these ancient ruins are still around today and are important tourist attractions

Accomplishments Built terraces or steps into the side of the hills so they could farm on mountainous land Created irrigation canals to bring water to their crops

Accomplishments Well known for artwork made from gold, silver, and bronze pieces

Accomplishments Known for skillfully made textiles Had a system for mathematics and accounting

Atahualpa Inca emperor when the Spanish arrived in South America Named the Sapa Inca and many Inca believed him to be the a relative of the sun god Carried around on a gold chair, ate from gold plates and cups, and had rooms with walls made of gold in his palace Kidnapped and later executed by Pizarro’s men in 1533

Francisco Pizarro Conquistador who claimed the Inca land for Spain Searching for gold and silver Made the viceroy (governor) of the conquered land Founded the city of Lima, Peru and built himself a palace there Killed in 1541 by fellow Spanish countrymen who were jealous of his wealth

Defeat of the Inca The outbreak of smallpox weakened the Incas Advanced weapons of the Spanish were too much for the Inca warriors Spanish sent more and more settlers to the area to colonize the land and mine for gold and silver For nearly 300 years Spain ruled the lands once held by the Inca