The Inca Empire

Background Empire extended along the Pacific coast and Andean highlands from northern border of modern Ecuador to Maule River in central Chile Inca originated in village of Paqari-tampu, about 15mi south of Cuzco Official language: Quecha Inca: South American Indians ruled Tawantinsuyu (Incan name of empire) that extended along the Pacific coast and Andean highlands from northern border of modern Ecuador to Maule River in central Chile

Polytheistic religion- Pantheon headed by Inti-the sun god combined features of animism, worship of nature gods offered food, clothing, and drink rituals included forms of divination, sacrifice of humans and animals Polytheistic religion- Pantheon headed by Inti-the sun god, also included Viracocha-a creator god and culture hero, Apu Illapu-rain god, special attendants “chosen women” People offered food, clothing, drink to guardian spirits; gods linked to forces of nature; each month own festival

Events leading to Rise and Fall 1438: Manco Capac established capital at Cuzco (Peru) 1400-1500: Pachacuti gained control of Andean population about 12 million people 1525: Emperor Huayna Capac died of plague; civil war broke out between two sons because no successor named 1532: Spanish arrived in Peru 1535: Empire lost Earliest date assigned to Incan dynastic history 1438; 1000: Manco Capac established capital at Cuzco (Peru) in 12th century 1400-1500: Pachacuti began conquests in early 15th century, within 100 yrs gained control of Andean population about 12 million people 1525, Emperor Huayna Capac died of unknown plague; civil war broke out between two sons because no successor named 1532, when Spanish arrived in Peru By 1535 empire was lost

Francisco Pizarro 1527: Pizarro wanted to discover wealth; embarked on his third voyage to the New World Sept. to Nov. 1532: The Cajamarca massacre- Pizarro led 160 Spaniards to Cuzco, slaughtering over 2,000 Inca and injuring 5,000

Pizarro accepted more than 11 tons of gold November 16, 1532: Atahualpa captured by Spaniards, offered gold for his freedom. Pizarro accepted more than 11 tons of gold ($6 million+) baubles, dishes, icons, ornaments, jewelry, & vases, but never released Atahualpa. July 26, 1533: Atahualpa was killed

Manco Capac (1022-1107) founder of Inca dynasty declared himself Sapa Inca, divine son of the Sun skilled warrior and leader chief religious leader exercised absolute power

Pachacuti (1438-1471) Usurped throne form brother Inca Urcon Considered the founder of the Inca Empire Skilled warrior and chief religious leader Claimed he was divine, son of the sun Exercised absolute power

Political Philosophy policy of forced resettlement ensured political stability officials collected taxes, enforced laws, kept records on a quipu (collection of knotted colored strings) which noted dates, events, population, crops use of road system strictly limited to government, military business private property forbidden, crime nonexistent, citizens never starved no written records; oral tradition preserved through generations Policy of forced resettlement of large contingents from each conquered people helped ensure political stability by distributing ethnic groups throughout empire, making organization of revolt difficult Officials collected taxes, enforced laws; specially trained kept records on a quipu (collection of knotted colored strings) which noted dates, events, population, crops Use of road system strictly limited to government, military business; a well-organized relay service carried messages in form of knotted cords at rate of 150mi a day; Network greatly facilitated Spanish conquest of Inca Empire Collective Farming: All land belonged to Inca, crops allotted to specific groups, government took possession of each harvest Private property forbidden, crime nonexistent, citizens never went hungry No written records; history known chiefly from oral tradition preserved through generations, official “memorizers” Inca tolerant of conquered people’s native religions

Economic Developments constructed aquaducts, cities, temples, fortresses, short rock tunnels, suspension bridges, 2250mi road system developed important medical practices- surgery on human skull, anesthesia resources-corn, potatoes, coffee, grain Engineers and architects constructed aquaducts, cities, temples, and fortresses Inca built vast network of roads; comprised two north-south roads, one running along coast about 2250 mi, other inland along Andes for a similar distance, w/ many interconnecting links Many short rock tunnels, vine-supported suspension bridges constructed Metalworking: best metal works in Americas; worked w/ alloy, copper, tin, bronze, silver gold; made statues of gods/goddesses Medical Advances: developed important medical practices- surgery on human skull, procedures close to use of modern antiseptics, anesthesia Resources: corn, potatoes, coffee, grain Art/Music/Architecture: woven baskets, metal ornaments, woodwinds, stone buildings

Today descendants of Inca are present day Quechua-speaking peasants of Andes, constitute about 45% population of Peru combine farming, herding w/ simple traditional technology rural settlements three kinds: families living in midst of fields, true village communities w/ fields outside of inhabited centers, combination of two towns centers of mestizo (mixed-blood) population Indian community close-knit, families usually intermarrying; much of agricultural work done cooperatively religion is Roman Catholicism infused w/ pagan hierarchy of spirits and deities