The Inca or the Sapa Inca was the emperor. There was only one Inca and no other person was called Inca but overtime this name became the term for the society in general. The Sapa Inca was polygamous and he usually married his sister who was his most important wife, she was known as the Coya. Polygamy was common among the royalty and upper classes and for those who could afford it. The Sapa Inca and the Coya lived in separate palaces which were decorated grandly.

Inca dynasty from the Peruvian School Painting. Christie’s Collection

The first Inca was Manco Capac and the last one Atahualpa, there were thirteen Incas in all from the year 1198 to 1533 until their defeat by the Spaniards.

Inca	Reigning Period
Manco Capac	1198-1228
Sinchi Rocca	1228-1258
Lloque Yupanqui	1258-1288
Mayta Capac	1288-1318
Capac Yupanqui	1318-1348
Inca Roca	1348-1378
Hanan Yahuar Huaca	1378-1408
Wiracocha	1408-1438
Pachacutec	1438-1471
Tupac Inca Yupanqui	1471-1493
Huayna Capac	1493-1527
Huascar	1527-1532
Atahualpa	1532-1533

The Sapa Inca would choose his successor among his sons. Although the Sapa Inca might have many wives and sons only his sons who had the Coya as their mother could inherit the throne. It was not always the oldest son who would become the next Sapa Inca; sometimes the best son fitted for the job would become the next emperor.

.

More about the Inca Civilization

.

The Inca Empire and its origin

According to Inca tradition there are two myths explaining the origin of the Incas, the myth of Lake Titicaca and the myth of the Ayar brothers.

Inca expansion and its government

The government was highly organized without the benefits of a writing system. In order to control the population of such a vast territory they created laws that were rigidly enforced.

Society in the Inca Empire

Society in the Andes was built around the ayllu. All its members had some kind of family ties, like an extended family. They all believed they were descendants of a common ancestor.

Inca religion – A religion of many Gods

Inca religion was a large melting pot of beliefs. Since the Sapa Inca was a god, religion and government were in many ways intertwined.

Cusco, the City of the Puma

The inner city of Cusco was laid out in the shape of a puma whose head was the fortress of Sacsahuaman. His body was shaped by the rivers Tulumayo and Huatanay and his tail was where both rivers meet in a place known as Pumaq Chupan.

Economy of the Inca Empire

Collective labor was the base for economic productivity and for the creation of social wealth in the Inca society.

Roads and Chasquis

Because the Inca Empire controlled such a vast territory they needed a way to communicate with all the corners of the empire. They set up a network of messengers known as Chasquis.

Inti Raymi, the celebration of the Sun

The Inti Raymi was prohibited by the Spanish during the conquest and colony claiming that it was a pagan ceremony and not in compliance with the Catholic religion.

The fall of the Inca Empire

A long civil war between brothers Huascar and Atahualpa and disease brought by the Spaniards from Europe contributed to the rapid decline of the empire.

Travel Peru – Cusco

It is estimated that around 1.5 million tourists visit Cusco every year, Machu Picchu and the city of Cusco have become the main tourist attractions in Peru and one of the most visited in South America.

.

Back to Home page