HISTORY OF THE INCAS
Much like the Mayan civilization, the Inca Indians were way before their time, considered an advanced civilization with multiple accomplishments. Migrating from the Andes in 1200 AD, the Incas began taking control over many of the other tribes in the area. As a new tribe was conquered, the Incas were able to learn more and more while forcing their own belief and religion onto the people. For the next 100 years, this tribe had grown so massive that the people covered areas from the northern parts of Ecuador all the way to Chili, making them a powerful civilization.
The Inca language is called Quechua and the empire Tawantinsuyu, translating to “land of four quarter.” This empire and all its land were divided, meeting at the capital called Cuzco, Peru. Interestingly, if you were to travel to the central highlands of the Andes today, you would still be able to enjoy and marvel at many of the empire ruins.
By the year 1532, the Inca Indians had accumulated vast land that stretched from the Pacific coast, heading across the Andes to the Atlantic coast, and then from the central portion of Chili all the way to Ecuador. Because of their incredibly organized government that was based in the capital city, the Incas were able to achieve and conquer. The capital city was the home to the emperor, regarded simply as “The Inca”. This emperor ruled over every aspect of the Inca civilization, being the leader to noblemen, who were responsible for the success of this civilization with their unmatched skills.
The Inca Indians were also very talented farmers, being the first people to grow potatoes. In addition to this crop, the Incas also grew sweet potatoes, Indian corn, cassava, quinou, peanuts, beans, squash, peppers, cotton, coca, tobacco, and much more. For transportation, Alpacas and Llamas were used. In fact, these animals carried hand crafts made by the noblemen, and building supplies.
The religious belief was that all deities were created to last forever, be all-powerful, and invisible, each created by one god called Wiraquocha or the sun god. Then, the King Incan was known as the Sapan Intiq Churin, which meant “Only Son of the Sun.” While there were many important temples in the Inca civilization, the one deemed the most important for the male god is called Qorikancha. In addition, Wiraquocha’s partner was called Killa or the moon god.
Historians show us that the Inca people also had the concept of sin. For this reason, they frequently offered the gods, food, llamas, an alcohol made from maize called Agha, and other things. Although no one is certain whether human sacrifice was a part of the Inca civilization, many people believe that indeed children were offered but only in special circumstances.
Although quite civilized, one man was able to conquer this massive tribe. This man’s name was Pizarro who arrived prior to a massive civil war breaking out, which left the military of the Incas weak and thus easy to destroy. First, Pizarro took the Incan leader, Atahualpa, captive. Although Pizarro was bribed with mass quantities of gold, he took it only to have Atanhualpa killed any way. For the next 40 years, Pizarro would continue killing off the Inca people until the man named Tupac Amaru fell. Sadly, his body was dismembered by the order of Pizarro to stop any further resistance.