Rise of the Incan Empire

Kings and Generals

10 May 201810:59

Summary

TLDRThe Inca Empire, nestled between South America's driest desert and largest rainforest, was a unique Pre-Columbian civilization without a written language, wheel, or money. Spanning modern-day Colombia to Argentina, it was governed through ingenious engineering and central planning. The empire's origins are rooted in myth, with the city of Cusco founded by Manco Capac. Under kings like Pachacuti, the empire expanded rapidly, integrating conquered peoples and relying on a flexible military system. The Inca's rise to power and their methods of maintaining the vast empire will be explored in the next episode.

Takeaways

🌎 The Inca Empire was located in western South America, bordered by the driest desert, the largest rainforest, and the second-highest mountain range.
🏛️ Despite lacking a written language, the wheel, or money, the Inca Empire became the largest in Pre-Columbian America, relying heavily on central planning and engineering.
📜 The Inca used a system of knots called Quipu to record data, taxes, and census information, but after the Spanish conquest, the knowledge to read Quipu was lost.
🌽 The Inca and their predecessors domesticated crops like potatoes, corn, and quinoa, and animals like llamas and alpacas, leading to the rise of advanced civilizations such as Tiwanaku and Wari.
🏞️ The Inca's mythological origins trace back to Viracocha, who created four brothers and four sisters, one of whom, Ayar Manco (later Manco Capac), is said to have founded Cusco.
👑 Cusi Yupanqui, later known as Pachacuti, transformed Cusco from a small kingdom into the vast Inca Empire through military conquests and political integration.
🏰 Pachacuti reorganized the empire into Tahuantinsuyu, dividing it into four provinces, each governed by officials who reported directly to Cusco.
🛤️ The Inca built vast highways and impressive stone cities like Machu Picchu to connect their empire and facilitate administration and trade.
⚔️ The Inca military was highly organized, using a flexible decimal system, and could mobilize hundreds of thousands of soldiers with diverse weaponry from across the empire.
🎯 The Inca integrated conquered peoples into their empire, educating local leaders in Cusco and returning them to govern their own regions in an Inca style.

Q & A

What geographical features surrounded the Inca Empire?
-The Inca Empire was located on the edge of western South America, bordered by the driest desert, the largest rainforest, and the second-highest mountain range on Earth.
How did the Inca Empire differ from other empires of its time?
-The Inca Empire was unique in that it was the largest empire in the Pre-Columbian Americas without a written language, the wheel, or money, and it was one of the few empires that expanded vertically rather than horizontally.
What was the Inca Empire's name for their realm?
-The Inca called their realm 'Tahuantinsuyu,' which translates to 'Land of the Four Quarters.'
What modern-day countries were parts of the Inca Empire?
-The Inca Empire, or Tahuantinsuyu, included parts of modern Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina.
How did the Inca manage to pass on knowledge without a written language?
-The Inca used a unique system of knots called Quipu to collect data, keep records, measure taxes, and record the census, which served as a form of communication and record-keeping.
What was the significance of the city of Cusco in the Inca Empire?
-Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire and was transformed into a suitable Imperial City under Pachacuti, who also initiated the construction of vast highways and royal estates, including Machu Picchu.
How did the Inca integrate conquered peoples into their empire?
-The Inca tried to integrate conquered peoples by adopting a federalist system, where the empire was split into four parts managed by provincial governors. They also educated the heirs of conquered rulers in the Inca way of life, sending them back to rule their realms in an Inca style.
What was the role of Pachacuti in the expansion of the Inca Empire?
-Pachacuti, also known as Cusi Yupanqui, was a key figure in the expansion of the Inca Empire. He reorganized the kingdom of Cusco into Tahuantinsuyu, expanded the empire significantly, and initiated major construction projects like Machu Picchu.
How did the Inca manage their military organization?
-The Inca military was highly organized, using a flexible decimal system to organize units. They could raise large armies and move them efficiently across difficult terrain. They also ensured a fair distribution of military service among provinces.
What were the typical weapons and armor used by the Inca soldiers?
-Inca soldiers typically used cotton armor, thick alpaca wool tunics, and helmets for protection. They carried hardwood shields, smaller shields made of lighter wood, and a variety of weapons including spears, axes, clubs, star-headed maces, and halberds.
What was the significance of the Inca's use of bolas in combat?
-The Inca were skilled in using bolas, which were multiple stones tied together to wrap around an enemy's legs, effectively immobilizing them. This tactic was particularly effective against the Spanish cavalry.

Outlines

00:00

🌄 The Rise of the Inca Empire

This paragraph introduces the Inca Empire, which was located in western South America between the driest desert, the largest rainforest, and the second-highest mountain range. The Inca Empire is noted for its lack of a written language, the wheel, or money, and its ability to expand vertically through impressive engineering and central planning. By the time Columbus arrived in 1492, the Inca Empire spanned 2 million square kilometers and included parts of modern-day Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. The population exceeded 10 million, despite the absence of many Old World technologies. Instead, they used a system of knotted strings, Quipu, to record data. The origins of the empire are tied to oral traditions, and much of its history has been passed down through Spanish accounts and myths. The Inca evolved from early agricultural societies that domesticated llamas, alpacas, and a variety of crops, leading to the rise of complex cultures like Tiwanaku and Wari.

05:05

⚔️ Pachacuti: The Earthshaker King

This paragraph focuses on the rise of Cusi Yupanqui, later known as Pachacuti, who ascended to power after defending Cusco from a siege by 40,000 Chanka soldiers. Although not originally destined to rule, he saved the city and became its king, expanding the Inca Empire from Cusco to parts of Bolivia and Ecuador. Pachacuti's strategy involved intelligence gathering, diplomacy, and military force. He promised local rulers wealth and power in exchange for peaceful submission, and those who refused were crushed by his army. He also transformed Cusco into the center of the empire, divided the empire into four regions (suyus), and connected them through a vast highway system. He initiated construction projects, including the famous Machu Picchu, and integrated conquered peoples into the empire, fostering unity and stability. By the time of his grandson Huayna Capac, the empire had few places left to conquer.

10:05

🏹 Inca Military Power and Strategies

This paragraph delves into the military prowess of the Inca Empire. The Inca military was highly organized, using a flexible decimal system for structuring their units, and could raise armies of hundreds of thousands. The empire’s men were trained in military tactics, and the state ensured a balance of manpower. Their armor, primarily made from cotton and alpaca wool, was so effective that even the Spanish adopted it in battle. Inca soldiers used a variety of weapons, including spears, axes, clubs, and maces, depending on their province of origin. Specialized units, like jungle bowmen, played a crucial role in their tactics. They also used bolas, effective against cavalry, which proved useful in resisting Spanish forces. This well-coordinated military allowed the Inca to expand rapidly and maintain control over their vast territory.

🍽️ Sustaining the Inca Empire

This paragraph teases the next episode, which will explore how the Inca Empire managed its resources, fed its large population, and functioned efficiently in such extreme geographical conditions. The series will continue to dive into the inner workings of the empire, and the video concludes with acknowledgments to the Patreon supporters and a call to action for viewers to engage with the channel and support future content.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Inca Empire

The Inca Empire, also known as Tahuantinsuyu or the Land of the Four Quarters, was the largest empire in the Pre-Columbian Americas, spanning parts of modern Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. It was characterized by its ingenious engineering, strict central planning, and unique societal structure. The video discusses how the Inca rose to power and dominated their region without a written language, the wheel, or money, which is a testament to their organizational and engineering prowess.

💡Quipu

A Quipu is a unique system of recording information using knots tied into strings. The Inca used Quipus to collect data, keep records, measure taxes, and record census information. The script mentions that as the Spanish established control over the Inca, the ability to read Quipus faded away, making many historical records indecipherable. This highlights the importance of Quipus in Inca society and the loss of knowledge due to the decline of the Inca civilization.

💡Cusco

Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire and a significant city in the region. According to the video, it was founded by Manco Capac, who led his people to settle there after his golden staff sank into the ground in the Valley of Cusco. The city was transformed into a suitable Imperial City and center of the empire, with vast highways linking all the suyus, or regions, and was paved with perfectly cut stone.

💡Pachacuti

Pachacuti, meaning 'Earthshaker' or 'He who turns the World upside down,' was the ninth king of the Inca who played a pivotal role in the expansion of the empire. He reorganized the kingdom of Cusco into Tahuantinsuyu and adopted a federalist system, dividing the empire into four parts or suyus. His reign marked a significant period of growth and development for the Inca Empire, as he used both diplomacy and military might to expand and integrate conquered peoples.

💡Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is one of the most famous royal estates constructed during the reign of Pachacuti. It is located 2,430 meters above sea level and is an example of the Inca's advanced engineering and architectural skills. The video mentions Machu Picchu as a symbol of the Inca's ability to build impressive structures in challenging terrains, showcasing their ingenuity and the empire's wealth.

💡Tahuantinsuyu

Tahuantinsuyu is the Quechua name for the Inca Empire, meaning 'Land of the Four Quarters.' It reflects the empire's division into four suyus, each managed by provincial governors who reported to the central government in Cusco. This term is significant as it represents the Inca's concept of a unified yet regionally diverse empire, highlighting their administrative and territorial organization.

💡Huayna Capac

Huayna Capac was the grandson of Pachacuti and continued the expansion of the Inca Empire. By the time he sat on the throne, the empire had grown to its largest extent, with little left to conquer. His reign signifies the peak of the Inca's military and territorial expansion, as mentioned in the video, where he led an extremely organized military that could raise armies of hundreds of thousands.

💡Federalist System

The federalist system refers to the administrative structure adopted by Pachacuti, where the Inca Empire was divided into four parts or suyus, each managed by provincial governors. This system allowed for a centralized yet regionally responsive form of governance, which is highlighted in the video as a key factor in the Inca's ability to manage their vast and diverse empire.

💡Manco Capac

Manco Capac is a legendary figure in Inca mythology, believed to be the founder of the Inca civilization. According to the video, he led his people to the Valley of Cusco, where the golden staff he carried sank into the ground, prompting the establishment of the city of Cusco. His story is an example of how the Inca's origin myths were used to legitimize their rule and integrate conquered peoples into their empire.

💡Ayar Manco

Ayar Manco is another name for Manco Capac in Inca mythology. He is depicted as one of the four brothers and four sisters who emerged from a cave and were destined to found the Inca civilization. Ayar Manco's journey with his golden staff is a central part of the Inca's origin story, illustrating the divine right and destiny of the Inca people to establish their empire, as discussed in the video.

Highlights

The Inca Empire was located between the driest desert, the largest rainforest, and the second-highest mountain range in South America.

The Inca Empire was one of the world's most unusual empires due to its unique engineering and central planning.

It was the largest empire in the Pre-Columbian Americas without a written language, the wheel, or money.

The Inca Empire, known as Tahuantinsuyu, included parts of modern-day Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina.

The Inca population was over 10 million across various ethnic groups and languages.

The Inca culture lacked many elements present in the Old World, such as the wheel and steel, but they were skilled in working with gold, silver, and bronze.

The Inca used a system of knots called Quipu for data collection, record-keeping, and tax measurement.

The Spanish conquest led to the loss of the ability to read Quipu, making many Inca records indecipherable.

Most of the Inca history comes from Spanish historians or oral traditions.

The Inca Empire emerged from the small kingdom of Cusco, which rapidly transformed into Tahuantinsuyu.

The Inca's mythological origin story involves the Great Creator God Viracocha and the founding siblings emerging from caves.

Manco Capac, a probable real historical figure, is believed to have founded Cusco in the early 13th century.

Cusi Yupanqui, known as an Inca Alexander the Great, expanded the empire significantly during his reign.

Pachacuti, or Earthshaker, reorganized the kingdom into a federalist system with four parts managed by provincial governors.

Cusco was transformed into an Imperial City with vast highways linking all parts of the empire.

The Inca integrated conquered peoples into their empire rather than creating independent tributary states.

The Inca military was highly organized, with a flexible decimal system for organizing units and a large, multi-ethnic army.

The Inca used a variety of weapons and tactics, including bolas, which were effective against the Spanish cavalry.

In less than 100 years, the Inca created the greatest empire in the Americas, stretching across the spine of South America.