Rise of the Incan Empire

Summary

The 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.