Inca Empire
Conquest and Decline
The Inca Empire was conquered by the Spanish in the 16th century. The conquest began in 1531, when Francisco Pizarro arrived in Peru with an army of soldiers. The Incas put up a strong resistance, but were defeated in 1533. Emperor Atahualpa was captured and executed, and the empire was divided among the Spanish. The Spanish conquest marked the end of the Inca Empire and the beginning of a new era of colonization and cultural exchange.
History and Foundation
The Inca Empire was founded in the 13th century by Manco Cápac, a legendary leader who founded the city of Cuzco. However, it was not until the rise to power of Sapa Inca Pachacuti in the 15th century that the empire began to expand rapidly. Pachacuti conquered many neighboring peoples and established a network of roads and communications that connected the empire.
Society and Social Classes
Inca society was divided into social classes, with the emperor and the nobility at the top. The noble class was made up of relatives of the emperor and military leaders. The middle class was made up of artisans, merchants and civil servants. The lower class was made up of farmers and shepherds. Inca women had an important role in society and could become priestesses, healers or artisans.
Economy and Agriculture
The Inca economy was based on agriculture, with corn, wheat and potatoes as the main crops. The Inca also developed a network of roads and bridges that connected the empire and facilitated trade. Trade was based on barter, with cloth, metal and salt being the main commodities traded. The Inca were also skilled craftsmen and produced cloth, ceramics and metal objects.
Religion and Mythology
The Inca religion was polytheistic, with a pantheon of deities associated with nature and natural phenomena. The main deity was Inti, the sun god, followed by Viracocha, the god of creation. The Inca also believed in life after death and the cycle of rebirth and regeneration. Inca mythology was rich in stories and legends, including the creation of the world and the descent of the gods to earth.
A Fun Fact That You May Not Know
The Incas built a network of roads and trails that stretched over 40,000 kilometers, without the use of wheels or draft animals! This network, called "Qhapaq Ñan", connected the empire and allowed communication and trade between different regions.