The Inca

Inca vs Aztecs

Inca Empire located 2,500 miles south of the Aztec Empire. Inca integrated conquered groups into their realm.

Labor and military service. Also polytheistic, performed human sacrifices.

Not as much as the Mexica. No orderly system of succession, led to conflict each time the ruler died.

BackgroundLocated in the Andes Mountains. Founded in 1438 by Pachakuti. Capital at Cuzco (11,300 feet). Spoke the Quechua language. Ruled over a population of 10-12 million subjects at its height.

Inca Religion/SocietyCommon ancestors seen as link among ayllu (kin groups). Hundreds of spirits believed to exist in the landscape. Creator at the top of the Incan pantheon of gods. The Sun and Thunder gods also very important.

As their society progressed, the Sun God became the highest deity. Inca ruler (Sapa Inca) claimed to be a descendant. The priest of the Sun God was 2nd only to the ruler.

Sapa Inca seen as a living god; mummified upon death. Like the Mongols, all out war was waged by male heirs until a single ruler emerged.

Inca Expansion Inca origins in their settlement of Cuzco c. 1400. Under Pachakuti, the Inca launched military campaigns to conquer neighboring lands.

They wanted the goods from each ecological zone. Metalworking present (bronze and copper).

Inca RoadsSome roads in the network predated the Inca, but the Inca connected them in a larger system.

Wheel was not present, foot-travel and llamas used. Roads extended across deserts, chasms, and mountains.

Messengers could move around 150 miles per day (working in shifts).

Faster than Persian (90 miles) and Mongol (60 miles) messengers.

Ruling Their SubjectsInca incorporated the conquered into their empire.

Held local deities “hostage” at Cuzco. Resettled 1,000s to discourage revolt.

Those who surrendered treated much more gently than those that did not (like Assyrians and Mongols).

Local leaders allowed to serve if they took an oath of loyalty to the Inca. Officials counted the population each year on quipus. Each year, male heads of households required to perform 2-3 months of labor. Each household gave certain goods that were kept in storehouses for later use.