The Incas
The Incas first appeared perhaps in the 13th Century in the Andes mountains, near the sources of the River Amazon. To begin with they were a small tribe, no different to the other Native American tribes living around them. Two centuries later the Incas had conquered a great empire, which covered most of the Andes and much of the western part of South America. The empire was made by two strong emperors. They were a father and son, Pachacuti (1441- 1471) and Tupac Inca Yupanqui(1471 – 1493). The Incas called their empire Tawantin- suyu (or the Land of Four Quarters’), and they called their emperors Sapa Incas, ‘the sole emperor’. The Incas were a proud people, and the word ‘Incas’ meant ‘lords’. Pachacuti’s father, Viracocha (around 1438 – 1440), had been named after the god whom the Incas believed had made everything. The
Incas remembered the names of their leaders, and carefully preserved what they claimed were their bodies as mummies.. So we can be reasonably sure that even the earlier ones whose names they remembered were all real people. But we don’t know exactly when they lived.
Incas remembered the names of their leaders, and carefully preserved what they claimed were their bodies as mummies.. So we can be reasonably sure that even the earlier ones whose names they remembered were all real people. But we don’t know exactly when they lived.
Incan Social/Political Structure
In a short period of time Inca became a powerful nation in the pre-Columbian America. When Pachacuti became emperor Cusco was only a city where Inca lived. But Pachacuti reorganized the kingdom of Cuzco into an empire. He had converted his empire ship to a new governmental system which was known as Tahuantinsuyu.
They had a federal government and four provincial governments. Certainly the federal system was headed by Sapa Inca himself. Inca noble men were the head of the other provincial governments.
Another key to the success of the Inca was their modern government organization. Pachacuti was the very first man to set up a great empire system and it started to run very well. They had four quarters headed by four Apos, who were just below the King. Every quarter were made up of several provinces run by officials. The system was hierarchical and administered by a well-developed bureaucracy that collected tribute and distributed it. The Incas' social structure was divided into four levels: Sapa Inca, royalty, nobility and the ayllu. The Sapa Inca was the most powerful person in the entire empire; he served as the king of the Incas and was believed to be the "son of the sun."
Below the Sapa Inca were the royalty, or descendants of the leader. These were the only people who had a chance to be future leaders. The Sapa Inca's wife was called the "coya." She served as the queen of society. The son of the Sapa Inca was called the "auqyi." Relatives of the Sapa Inca were referred to as "royals."
Beneath the royals were the nobility. These people were other members of the royal relative family and were referred to as "royal panacas." Another way to be in the nobility class was to achieve distinction through education or other training fields.
The majority of Inca society was composed of the ayllu. These people were the basis for economic activity. The ayllu was led by the curaca. Ayllu members were expected to work the land, take care of the cattle and pay taxes. In exchange for their work, the Sapa Inca provided the people with provisions found elsewhere in the world.
They had a federal government and four provincial governments. Certainly the federal system was headed by Sapa Inca himself. Inca noble men were the head of the other provincial governments.
Another key to the success of the Inca was their modern government organization. Pachacuti was the very first man to set up a great empire system and it started to run very well. They had four quarters headed by four Apos, who were just below the King. Every quarter were made up of several provinces run by officials. The system was hierarchical and administered by a well-developed bureaucracy that collected tribute and distributed it. The Incas' social structure was divided into four levels: Sapa Inca, royalty, nobility and the ayllu. The Sapa Inca was the most powerful person in the entire empire; he served as the king of the Incas and was believed to be the "son of the sun."
Below the Sapa Inca were the royalty, or descendants of the leader. These were the only people who had a chance to be future leaders. The Sapa Inca's wife was called the "coya." She served as the queen of society. The son of the Sapa Inca was called the "auqyi." Relatives of the Sapa Inca were referred to as "royals."
Beneath the royals were the nobility. These people were other members of the royal relative family and were referred to as "royal panacas." Another way to be in the nobility class was to achieve distinction through education or other training fields.
The majority of Inca society was composed of the ayllu. These people were the basis for economic activity. The ayllu was led by the curaca. Ayllu members were expected to work the land, take care of the cattle and pay taxes. In exchange for their work, the Sapa Inca provided the people with provisions found elsewhere in the world.
Citations- "Government of the Inca Empire." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 10 July 2014. Web. 03 Nov. 2014.
"Inca Empire : One of the Best Government in Ancient Days." Inca Empire : One of the Best Government in Ancient Days. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2014. "Inca Society - How Incas Rule, Inca Architecture, Marriage, Childhood." Inca Society - How Incas Rule, Inca Architecture, Marriage, Childhood. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2014. "Social System." Inca Encyclopedia Block G [licensed for Non-commercial Use Only] /. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2014. |