The Incan Empire

 Cuzco (Peru) = capital (200,000)  Empire stretched from Ecuador to Chile (3500 miles) thru Andes Mtns.  10 mill. people

I. Founding the Inca  Built empire on previous cultural foundations Chavin, Moche, Nazca (Peru)

A. Early Inca  Settled on fertile lands in Valley of Cuzco  Est. small kingdom by early 1200s  Ruler = descendent of Inti (sun god)

B. Early Inca Rulers  Early, Incan kingdom grew slowly  Viracocha ( )—8 th emperor Conquered adjacent lands Instituted a divine monarchy  Pachacuti ( ) son “the greatest man ever produced by the American race” Conquered all of Peru & moved north & south Used diplomacy & military force  Honorable surrender?

II. Incan Govt.  Imposed single official language Quechua

A. Govt. Presence  Architecture was consistent across empire  All roads led to Cuzco  Masterful engineers

B. Incan Govt.  Incan govt. = SOCIALISM Controlled most economic activity Allowed little private commerce  Citizens were expected to work for the state  Ayllu = extended family group Worked together  Mita = labor tribute

C. Public Works  Incan road system Unified empire Symbolized power of the state 14,000 mi. Chasquis = messengers  Allowed for easy movement of military

D. Govt. Record Keeping  NEVER developed a writing system Oral tradition  Quipu = knotted strings for accounting

III. Incan Religion  Focused on key nature spirits  Primary Incan god = Viracocha (creator) Next = Inti (sun god)  King = descendent of Inti

A. Religious Practices  Priests led sun-worship  Mamakuna = full-time female workers  Yamacuna = full-time male workers  Sacrificed llamas & exchanged goods

B. Great Cities  Temple of the Sun (Cuzco) Most sacred of all Incan shrines “sweat of the sun”  Machu Picchu Religious center? Estate of Pachacuti? Retreat for rulers or nobles?

IV. End of the Inca  Early 1500s = height of glory  Huayna Capac died Split empire betw. sons (Atahualpa & Huascar)  Civil war broke out --- Atahualpa won Weakened state --- Pizarro took advantage