The Inca Empire, also known as Tawantinsuyu, was the largest empire in pre-Columbian America. Its political and military center was located in Cusco, now in modern-day Peru. Here are some key facts and details about the empire:
History and Expansion
- Founding: The empire was founded around the 13th century by Manco Cápac, the first Sapa Inca or emperor, who was considered a descendant of the sun god Inti.
- Expansion: Under rulers like Pachacuti and Huayna Capac, the empire expanded dramatically, incorporating various regions through conquest and diplomacy. At its peak, it stretched from what is now Ecuador in the north to central Chile in the south, covering parts of Colombia, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile.
- Administration: The Inca Empire was highly organized with a sophisticated administrative structure. The empire was divided into four quarters, known as suyus, with Cusco at the center.
Culture and Society
- Language: The official language of the empire was Quechua, although many local languages were also spoken.
- Religion: Religion played a central role in Inca life with Inti, the sun god, at its core. The Sapa Inca was considered a divine intermediary between the gods and the people.
- Infrastructure: The Incas are famous for their road system, the Qhapaq Ñan, which connected the empire, along with their impressive agricultural terraces, aqueducts, and monumental architecture like Machu Picchu and Sacsayhuamán.
Economy
- Collective Labor: The economy was based on a system called mita, which was a form of labor tax where citizens worked on public projects or served in the military.
- Trade: While there was no widespread market economy, trade did occur, often involving barter and the redistribution of goods by the state.
Decline
- Internal Conflict: Before the arrival of the Spanish, the empire was weakened by a civil war between Atahualpa and Huáscar, his half-brother, over the throne.
- Spanish Conquest: In 1532, Francisco Pizarro and his small force of conquistadors captured Atahualpa, leading to the rapid downfall of the empire. By 1572, the last Inca Rebellion was suppressed, marking the end of the empire.
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