The Legacy of the Incas

The Inca ruled a grand empire from the early fifteenth century up to the Spanish conquest in 1532. The vast empire was equivalent to the distance between San Francisco and New York City, making it one of the largest of the time. The Incas gained power and control when they conquered nearby civilizations; therefore they soon gathered a population of about twelve million people (Cartwright, “Inca Civilization”). Their legacy still lives on in Peru and the rest of South America because of their contributions and influence.

The origins of the Inca are still not certain and are difficult to trace. Creation myths were told in an attempt to explain their origins. According to legend, the creator god Viracocha came out from the Pacific Ocean, and when he arrived at Lake Titicaca, he created the sun and all ethnic groups. The Incas were brought into existence at Tiwanaku by Inti the sun god and thus the Inca called themselves the “Children of the Sun.” Another legend says that Manco Capac, his wife Mama Oglu, his four brothers and four sisters set out from Tampo T’ogo to find fertile land (McEwan). The numerous adventures and failed attempts to find fertile soil finally paid off. At the valley of Cuzco, after they defeated the native Chanca people, Manco Capac threw his golden rod into the ground, and when it sank into the soil, he established Cuzco as the capital. Although creations myths were very important to the Inca, the people of today know many legends, but do not believe in them. Whether they are true or not, the Inca’s origins influenced history. Meanwhile, the rise of the newfounded empire came quite quickly.

During the rise of the Inca Empire came a developed society, which consisted of four social classes that each had their own part in society. Sapa Inca were at the top. Sapa Inca, or Inca Ruler, had great influence, as they were looked at as Inti’s representative on Earth. Inca people worshipped emperors because of the belief that the royal family were the descendants of Inti the Sun God. Sapa Inca passed the divinity on by marrying their sisters, so the heir would be a pure-blood descendant who would have divine power (Cartwright, “Inca civilization”). They ruled with absolute power and were extremely pampered. In addition, Sapa Inca were even looked after in the afterlife. They were mummified and resided in the Corichana temple. The class below Sapa Inca was Royalty, which consisted of the sons of Sapa Inca and their relatives. The Nobility class included royal relatives and positions such as royal guards, and priests. Ayllu class consisted of the majority of the population; all Ayllu were required to work in order to contribute to the Mita or tax. In exchange, they were provided with education, healthcare, and food. Today, Peru’s society consists of three different classes. The upper class, which consists of three percent of the population and live in urban centers, the middle class with consists of sixty percent of the population who usually work a salary job, and the lower class, which typically work as farmers and reside in shanty towns. Peru’s society today was inherited from colonial times (Cartwright, “Inca civilization”). Similarly, religion played a big part in the people’s lives.

Religion was a part of everyday life for the Incas: it influenced everything everyone did. It can be said that religion was the most important tool for emperors to maintain rule and superiority. Many Incas believed in Viracocha creating the sun, the stars, the moon, and life on Earth. All Gods had a specific purpose, which determined their hierarchy. Inti was one of the most important of the Gods to the Inca, and therefore he was at the top of the religious hierarchy. The Coricancha temple was built to honor Inti and other elite people, and Quikclean was also built in his honor. The Inca believed in the afterlife, and, as previously mentioned, they mummified dead bodies and offered gifts the people thought they could use. Also, the Inca would often hold religious ceremonies to honor the gods. Later in peruvian history, Catholicism became mixed with Inca religion. In modern day Peru, there are ceremonies held each month of the year as the Incas practiced. One of the many festivals that are still celebrated today is Inti Raymi, and it takes place on June twenty fourth. The festival was created because the Inca thought Inti would leave them on the day of winter solicit, so they created a majestic ceremony paired with offerings dedicated to him. Likewise, technology and art came to be a part of everyday life.

The Inca had invented many technologies and art, some of which have contributed to modern life. Inca art is an excellent example of this. Even when they were under the rule of the Spanish, who banned and repressed Inca art, artists remained determined to continue making art. Thus, a majority of the art was influenced by art of a nearby civilization, but some different styles were created. A famous style that popped up often was the checkerboard design. Forms of art created ranged from pottery, textilles, to ceramics and metal work. In addition, Incas were also skilled stonemasons, whose structures could withstand earthquakes (“The technology of the Incas and Aztecs”). They accomplished this by only using two things, a stone hammer for cutting and wet sand for polishing. For example, the famous Inca city Machu Picchu was built shortly after conquistadors arrived and was not discovered until 1911. It is in a remote location set high in the Andes mountains. Machu Picchu is an ancient Incan city that consists of eighty houses and religious structures. Finally, the Inca roads were a well-built system that allowed transportation of armies, people, and goods. The entire network covered over 25,000 miles, and was constructed using only wooden, stone and bronze tools. In fact, some ancient roads still exist today, such as the road near Machu Picchu that people use to access the city. While the empire was at its peak, the Incas did not expect what would come for them.

The empire was at its peak and everything seemed well for the Inca. Until in 1532, when a Spanish conquistador called Francisco Pizarro arrived at Cuzco. When he faced the Sapa Inca, Atahualpa gave no resistance. He offered Pizzaro various riches, ranging from gold to silver. Pizarro accepted his offer and left Atahualpa in captivity for a year until he finally killed him. “The great Inca empire fell even faster than it had risen” (McEwan). The emperor and the government controlled everything from goods, services, money, and agriculture. Therefore, without the emperor, everything went downhill. People became slaves, and their treasure was stolen. Furthermore, disease and civil war were rampant throughout the empire. However, some remaining Incas managed to form a resistance at Vilcabamba. Inca rebellions were not successful, as the Inca were equipped with blowguns, bows and arrows, and spears. Thus, they stood no chance against the Spanish, who had the greater advantage- guns and armour (“The technology of the Incas and Aztecs”). The Spanish had destroyed all of the remaining resistance and destroyed much of the Inca creations by 1572. However, the Spanish did not know that the Inca would not disappear that easily and that this tragic event would influence the history of Peru forever.

About forty five percent of the population consists of Inca descendants. One of the aspects of Inca culture that can be seen today are traditional textiles. Traditional textiles are colorful clothing worn by mostly traditional peruvians. Town markets and weaving centers are usually stocked with traditional textiles and other traditional goods. Also, the main language of the Incas can be heard throughout the country. Not too long ago, Quechua was made the official language of Peru, but the Spanish language is also spoken there. As previously mentioned, religion, society, and technology contributed by the Inca’s influence on the country.

Despite the downfall of the Inca empire, their legacy still continues. The Incas built a powerful, influential, and sophisticated empire. Inca religion was a part of everyday life, and gods like Inti had great influence over the people. Inca society was similar to religion, as they each played a big part in people’s lives. All social classes had their own part in society that they had to fulfill. Inca technology contributed to modern life that people all around the world use today. The rise and fall of the Inca empire influenced the history of Peru forever.

Works cited

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Gelbert, Ethan. “Finding Inca culture in modern day Peru.” International Expeditions. https://www.ietravel.com/blog/finding-incan-culture-modern-day-peru. Accessed 14 Feb 2019
McEwan, Gordon.” The rise and fall of the Inca empire.” Youtube, Uploaded by TED-ed. 12 Feb 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO5ktwPXsyM&t=189s. Accessed 17 Jan 2019.
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