Inca Civilization History
Who were the Inca?
The Incas were a distinct people with a distinct language living in a highland center, Cuzco. They were an ancient people, but had been subject to the regional powers during the entire history of South American urban cultures. They began to expand their influence in the twelfth century and in the early sixteenth century, they exercised control over more territory than any other people had done in South American history. The empire consisted of over one million individuals, spanning a territory stretching from Ecuador to northern Chile.
How big was the Inca Empire?
Over the next 100 years, the Inca Empire grew into a vast empire. The Incas were able to build a vast empire by demanding loyalty from conquered people. At the height of their power, the Inca Empire was 2,500 miles long, 500 miles wide, and home to 12 million people. These people called themselves "the Children of the Sun". The land the Incas ruled became known as "the land of the four quarters". It was named that because the Inca Empire was divided into four parts for ruling purposes. Cuzco was still the capital.
How was Inca Society arranged?
Inca society was made up of ayllus, which were clans of families who lived and worked together. Each allyu was supervised by a curaca or chief. Families lived in thatched-roof houses built of stone and mud. Furnishings were unkown with families sitting and sleeping on the floor. The Inca were a deeply religious people. They feared that evil would befall at any time. Sorcerors held high positions in society as protectors from the spirits. They also believed in reincarnation, saving their nail clippings, hair cuttings and teeth in case the returning spirit needed them.
How did the Empire Fall?
Inca society continued uninterrupted in this way for hundreds of years. The appearance of light-skinned strangers during the rule of Atahuallpa, however, was to forever change things for the Inca. Deadly plague would soon sweep through the Inca empire. Those that survived had to face the swords and cannons of the invading Spanish.
Civil War began in the mid-1500's CE due to an Inca ruler dying without first choosing an heir. This created an enormous problem. Two of his sons both wanted to be the next Sapa Inca. They were both qualified. One brother crowned himself Inca. But the other brother did not accept his rule. Civil war broke out in the Inca Empire. For five years, the brothers and their armies fought each other for the right to become the next Sapa Inca. Atahualpa finally won the war.
It was not long after this that the Spanish first arrived. The Spanish had heard about the fabled cities of gold from the conquered people who lived along fertile strips in the Coastal Desert. The Incas had little contact with other tribes at any time, but their own civil war had kept them busier than usual. They knew nothing about the Spanish conquest of other tribes in Mexico, to the north. To them, the Spanish were simply invaders. At any other time, the Inca probably would have ordered the immediate death of Francisco Pizarro and his band of 167 men.
Unfortunately for the Incas, their new Sapa Inca, Atahualpa, flush with triumph, decided to allow the Spanish intruders safe passage. His plan was to kill some of the intruders and to keep others as slaves. Basically, he was amusing himself. When Pizarro left the coastal desert area and entered the Inca Empire in the Andes Mountains, he knew right away that he was in trouble. The Incas were organized, militant, and numerous.
Pizarro and his band of 167 men spent a nervous night, waiting for the arrival of the Sapa Inca, who was coming the next morning to officially greet them. While they waiting, they worked up a plan. Their plan was to kidnap the Sapa Inca, Atahualpa. The Spanish probably had little hope of success.
When Atahualpa visited them the next morning, he brought with him a small group of about 2000 priests and attendants. None were armed. He wore an emerald necklace. He was carried on his golden litter - the whole song and dance. It never occurred to him that the intruders might be a problem. When Pizarro's men leaped from their hiding places, they grabbed the Sapa Inca. The priests and attendants did not know what to do. The Spanish killed most of them.
Once Atahualpa understood that the Spanish intruders wanted gold and silver - that's why they had come - they had heard about the fabulous Incan cities of gold - Atahualpa offered them a huge ransom for his safe release. He offered a room 22 feet long filled with gold and silver. The intruders could take the gold and silver and leave freely. Atahualpa kept his word. The Spanish did not. Once the gold was delivered, they killed the Sapa Inca and fled with as much gold as they could carry.
When they returned, they brought an army with them. It took the Spanish a few years to completely defeat all regions in the Empire. The Spanish took over as the harsh rulers of the Incan people and the Inca Empire lay in ruin's.
