Rise of the Incan Empire
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
🌄 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.
⚔️ 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.
🏹 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
💡Quipu
💡Cusco
💡Pachacuti
💡Machu Picchu
💡Tahuantinsuyu
💡Huayna Capac
💡Federalist System
💡Manco Capac
💡Ayar Manco
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.
Transcripts
On the edge of western South America
wedged between Earth's driest desert, largest rainforest and second-highest mountain range
laid a sprawling empire.
The Inca, through ingenious engineering and strict central planning,
forged one of the world's most unusual empires.
It was the largest empire in the Pre-Columbian Americas
without a written language, the wheel or money
and one of the only empires to stretch upwards rather than across.
In this video, we will look at how the Inca rose to power from unknown origins
and dominated their region.
When Columbus arrived in the Americas in 1492,
he was unaware that about 2,000 kilometers away laid a bustling empire of 2 million square kilometers.
Tahuantinsuyu or the Land of the Four Quarters as the Inca called their realm,
included parts of modern Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina.
It had a population of more than 10 million across innumerable ethnic groups and languages.
The Inca developed in near isolation
so their culture was missing many things that were vital in the Old World.
The wheel was absent along with any draft animal capable of pulling weight.
Steel and iron were unknown while gold, silver and bronze were masterfully worked.
Most intriguing was that they lacked a written language
so their knowledge was passed on orally or through a unique system of knots called Quipu.
These knots were used to collect data, keep records, measure taxes and record the census.
However, as the Spanish established control over the Inca, the ability to read Quipu faded away
and the records are now indecipherable to us.
Therefore, most of the history we have about the Inca has come down to us through Spanish historians or oral traditions.
With that in mind, let's take a look at the origins of the Inca Empire.
Ancient Peru was one of the ancient cradles of civilization
and between 8000 and 3000 BC, the people there domesticated llamas and alpacas
along with an immense variety of crops such as potatoes, corn, beans, peanuts, squashes and quinoa.
From these early agricultural societies a series of complex cultures emerged
such as Tiwanaku, Wari and Chimu.
By 900 AD, states like Tiwanaku were erecting huge stone structures, building highways and canals
and maintaining a capital of 50,000 people at a time when London had around 30,000
all at 3,000 metres above sea level.
The Inca were the final great society to emerge here and inherited much from those that came before.
As the Chimu Empire was at its peak, to its south the tiny kingdom of Cusco slumbered.
This small kingdom would rapidly transform into Tahuantinsuyu or what we call the Inca Empire.
Where exactly did the Inca come from?
Well, let's take a look at the Inca's own mythological origin story.
It begins with the Great Creator God Viracocha, who came upon three caves.
From the central cave, Viracocha brought forth four brothers and four sisters.
These were to be the founders of the Inca civilization.
Out of the side caves stepped others, who were to be the forebearers of the other less important Inca clans.
One of the brothers, Ayar Manco, armed with a golden staff capable of testing soil
led his people on an Exodus-like journey at the end of which he was the only remaining brother.
Upon entering the Valley of Cusco, the golden staff sank into the ground and so his people settled there.
The city of Cusco was founded and Ayar Manco adopted the name Manco Capac.
This is one of the many origin myths of the Inca.
The myth would be regularly changed and updated for political reasons.
For example, if the Inca wanted to integrate a foreign state or power into their empire,
then that entity would conveniently find itself wedged into the current mythology.
But Manco Capac was probably a real person that led a group of nomads into the valley
and founded Cusco in the early 13th century.
The history of the first eight Inca kings is lost in the mists of time.
Its ninth king was the first to step into certain history.
An Inca Alexander the Great called Cusi Yupanqui rose to power in the early 1400s.
At the time of his birth, the Kingdom of Cusco was barely more than a chiefdom.
He was not the first in line to the throne,
but after Cusco was besieged by 40,000 enemy Chanka soldiers and his king father and prince brother fled the city,
It was Cusi Yupanqui who organized a defense and not only saved the city, but also won himself the crown.
Before his reign, his kingdom held the small territory around Cusco.
But within a single lifetime, he and his son had stretched the new empire from present-day Bolivia to Ecuador.
He adopted the name Pachacuti, which means Earthshaker or He who turns the World upside down.
Through the use of spies,
Pachacuti would assess the military strength and wealth of the other states in the region.
After collecting this information,
he would send messages to the leaders of these states attempting to persuade them to join his empire.
He promised they would keep their position and would grow even more powerful.
Luxury goods and riches would be poured upon them
only however, if they submitted peacefully.
If they accepted, the heirs of that ruler would be sent to the Royal Court in Cusco
whereupon they would be educated in an Inca fashion and raised to be perfect Incas.
Once transformed, they were then sent back to rule their realms in a thoroughly Inca style.
If they did not accept, they were usually crushed by the huge multi-ethnic army Pachacuti built.
Pachacuti reorganized the kingdom of Cusco into Tahuantinsuyu,
using a federalist system.
He split the empire into four parts or suyus, each managed by provincial governors
that reported directly to the central government in Cusco.
Cusco was transformed into a suitable Imperial City and center to Pachacuti's new empire.
The city was paved with perfectly cut stone and from its center spread vast highways linking all the suyus.
Along with these highway projects,
Pachacuti also initiated the construction of huge royal estates,
the most famous of which is Machu Picchu located 2,430 metres above sea level.
The rapid growth of the empire was incredible and even more impressive
was the idea that the Inca actually tried to integrate the conquered peoples into their empire
rather than just setting up mostly independent tributary states like the Aztecs had done.
By the time Pachacuti's grandson Huayna Capac sat on the throne,
there was hardly anything else left to possibly conquer.
Militarily, the Inca were extremely organized and used a flexible decimal system to organize units.
They could raise armies of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and moved them across rough terrain with ease.
Almost all able-bodied men between 25 and 50 had military training.
Each province would send men to join a military campaign whenever needed.
The state made sure that no province was sending more men than they could
and on particularly long campaigns,
men were regularly allowed to return home to make sure their lives did not fall out of order.
Like the Aztecs, the Inca relied on cotton armor.
They wore thick alpaca wool tunics and helmets to protect themselves.
These tunics were so effective at stopping arrows that Spanish soldiers adopted them while fighting the Inca
and there are reports of them leaving battles looking like porcupines with dozens of arrows wedged in their armor.
A large shield made of hardwood imported from their jungle provinces was kept on their back.
Another much smaller shield made of lighter wood was kept on the arm.
A small cape attached to it could be used to protect their legs from missiles.
As the empire was so diverse, they relied on an equally diverse range of weapons and soldiers.
Men recruited from the jungle provinces were excellent bowmen
while those from the other provinces preferred dart throwers and slings.
For melee combat, the Inca had a varied arsenal.
Spears, axes, clubs, star-headed maces and halberds were the most common weapons
and could be made from stone, bronze or bone.
The Inca were talented with bolas, which were multiple stones tied together that wrapped around an enemy's legs.
These would be used effectively against the Spanish cavalry.
The Inca used their military to expand their reach across the spine of South America,
crushing resistance wherever it showed its head.
In less than 100 years, they created the greatest empire in the Americas.
But how did they keep it all functioning?
And how did they keep ten million mouths fed in a land of extremes?
We will cover that in the next episode.
Thank you for watching this video in our series on the Pre-Columbian civilizations.
The next episode will depict how the Inca civilization worked.
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