CHAPTER 26 - The Incas The ruins of Machu Picchu

I.The Rise of the Inca Empire A. Earlier cultures influenced the Incans 1.The Moche (100 B.C.E. to 700 C.E.) used irrigation and a class system

2.The Chimu (1300’s & 1400’s) created roads and a message system using runners

B.Early Inca history cloaked in mythology 1.They believed themselves to be descended from Inti, the Sun God

C.Incans settled in present-day Peru around 1200 C.E. 1.Founded their capital city of Cuzco

D.Expanded their empire in 1438 after fighting off the attacking Chancas 1.Emperor Yupanqui led Inca army in conquest 2.By 1500’s, empire covered 350,000 square miles

3.Established a messenger system to connect the huge empire a.Chasquis could travel 250 miles per day on the empire’s 15,000 miles of roads b.Messages were usually recorded using quipus

II. The Class Structure of the Incans A. Three classes of people 1. The emperor (Sapa Inca) at the top a. Believed to be direct descendant of Inti, the Sun God b. Chooses his own successor from among his male children Inti – the sun god

2.Nobles belonged to 3 categories a.Capacs were related to emperor b.Hahuas were considered as “Incan by privilege” c.Curacas were the leaders of the conquered peoples

3.Commoners were farmers & herders a.Grew corn, squash, peppers, beans, peanuts, & potatoes b.Most crops were given over to the government for distribution Artist’s image of Inca commoners making terraces Completed terraces

III.Incan Family Life A. Families belonged to ayllus (clans) 1. Government loans land to the ayllus for communal (shared) use 2. The curacas administered the towns and villages B. Most Incans were born into commoner families 1. Children learned tasks from elders 2. Children had no formal education 3. Teen-aged boys had to undergo rituals to enter into manhood

C. Young Incans live at home until they are married 1. They usually married within the ayllu

IV. Inca Religion A.Incans believed in many gods, all of whom controlled nature 1. Inti, the Sun God, was the most important B.Priests worked in temples devoted to these gods C.They believed that spirits lived within sacred objects and places

D. Incans offered sacrifices to please the gods

E.Priests practiced divination as a means of predicting future events 1. They asked an oracle for advice on policy F.The Chosen Women were unique to the Incan religion 1. They were selected to enter a convent to study religion, prepare food for religious ceremonies, and weave garments for the emperor

V.Relations With Other Peoples A.Incans sought to bring others into their empire 1. Used both the threat of attack and the promise of peace and prosperity to recruit others An Incan military fortification Incan warriors

B. New peoples had to adopt Inca tradition 1.Had to accept Incan gods in religious practices 2.Local leaders had to learn Incan laws in Cuzco and return to their own people as curacas C. Incas took important religious objects as “hostage” to ensure cooperation A golden jaguar – an honored animal

D.Resistance led to harsh punishment 1.Local leader might be killed 2.Tribes could be exiled to distant lands E.Expansion of the empire came from the Incan belief that the dead emperor continued to rule his own lands, so the new emperor had to acquire his own lands to rule for himself

Emperor 1.Emperor (Sapa Inca) at the top a. Believed to be direct descendant of Inti, (Sun God) b. Chooses his own successor from among his male children