Inca Social Structure

• Estimated 10-12 million people lived in the Inca civilization, as high as 15 million by some estimates.
• The Sapa Inca was the absolute ruler and owned all land and resources.
• The Inca Empire was divided into four regions.
• Local leaders, Curacas, were allowed to rule after conquest to prevent rebellion.
• Hahua Inca were non-royal nobles who gained status through loyalty.

Inca Social Structure

• The Sapa Inca was the supreme ruler, considered a descendant of Inti (Sun God).
• The Sapa Inca was considered divine and ruled by religious right, as the "Blood of Inti".
• Commoners were not allowed to look directly at the Sapa Inca.
• The Coya, the queen, was often the Sapa Inca's sister and held important influence.
• Hahua Incas were nobles by privilege, not by blood.
• Priests managed religious ceremonies and temples.
• Nobles were exempt from the mit’a labor tax.
• Curacas were local leaders who enforced Inca traditions and governance.
• Ayllus were family-based communities and the foundation of Inca society.
• Mit’a was a labor tax system, requiring commoners to work on state projects.
• Potatoes were the main staple crop.
• Many commoners served in the army when needed.

Cuzco – The Capital

• Cuzco was considered "the center of the world."
• Cuzco was founded by the Children of Inti (Sun God).
• Cuzco was not initially targeted by Pizarro because he was unaware of Atahualpa.

Machu Picchu & Expansion

• Machu Picchu was built under Pachacuti, the 9th Inca ruler.
• Pachacuti expanded the kingdom into an empire after defeating the Chanca people.

Civil War & Spanish Conquest

• The empire was weakened by the civil war between Atahualpa and Huáscar.
• The Spanish arrived in 1532.
• Inca resistance lasted until 1572, led by Túpac Amaru.
• The civil war made the Spanish conquest easier.

Language & Communication

• Quechua was the official spoken language and is still spoken today.
• Quipu was a knotted string system for record-keeping, used by nobles and messengers.

Engineering & Achievements

• Terrace Farming prevented erosion and controlled water flow.
• Suspension Bridges used tension, with ropes replaced for safety.
• Trephination was brain surgery using obsidian tools to treat head injuries.
• Freeze-dried food (Chuño) was used by soldiers, astronauts, and others.
• Stone Masonry was built without iron, mortar, or machines, using only stone tools.
• Metals used included Gold (Sun’s Sweat), Silver, and Copper.

Economy & Labor

• Under the Mit’a System, commoners paid taxes through labor, not money.
• There was no currency and wealth was managed through tribute and resource distribution.
• Storehouses were used to store food for the sick, elderly, and emergencies.

Roads & Transportation

• Qhapaq Ñan was the Inca road system.
• Only soldiers, nobles, and commoners with permission could travel on the roads.
• Llamas and alpacas were used because there were no horses.

Education & Culture

• There were no formal schools.
• Nobles were trained in history, religion, and warfare by Amautas (tutors).
• There were 200 types of potatoes and 20 types of corn.
• Potatoes were the main staple crop.
• Hats and textiles were important in Inca fashion and showed status.

Key Vocabulary Terms

• Sapa Inca: The emperor, supreme ruler of the Inca Empire.
• Curacas: Local leaders who were appointed to govern conquered regions.
• Hahua Inca: Non-royal nobles who gained status through loyalty to the emperor.
• Ayllu: Family-based communities that formed the foundation of Inca society.
• Mit’a: Labor tax system, where commoners worked on state projects.
• Coya: The queen, often the Sapa Inca’s sister, who held influence in the empire.
• Quechua: The official spoken language of the Inca Empire, still spoken today.
• Quipu: A system of knotted strings used for record-keeping and communication.
• Pachacuti: The 9th Inca ruler who expanded the kingdom into an empire.
• Inti: The Sun God, considered the ancestor of the Sapa Inca.
• Chanca: A rival group that was defeated by Pachacuti, helping him expand the empire.
• Túpac Amaru: The last Inca emperor, who led resistance against Spanish conquest until 1572.
• Cuzco: The capital of the Inca Empire, considered "the center of the world."
• Machu Picchu: A royal estate and fortress, built by Pachacuti, located high in the Andes.
• Amautas: Tutors who educated Inca nobles in history, religion, and warfare.
• Qhapaq Ñan: The extensive network of Inca roads that connected the empire.
• Llamas: Pack animals used by the Incas for transportation, as they didn’t have horses.
• Alpacas: Domesticated animals raised by the Incas for wool and meat.
• Chuño: Freeze-dried potatoes used as food, particularly for soldiers and during emergencies.
• Terrace Farming: A method of farming on steep mountainsides to prevent erosion and manage water flow.
• Suspension Bridges: Bridges made with ropes, used by the Incas to cross deep valleys and rivers.
• Trephination: A form of brain surgery where part of the skull was removed to treat injuries.
• Stone Masonry: The Inca method of building with precisely cut stones, without using mortar.
• Gold: Referred to as the "Sun's Sweat"
• Silver: Another important metal in the Inca economy and culture.
• Copper: A common metal used for tools and other objects in Inca society.
• Formal schools did not exist.
• Inca textiles: Elaborate cloths and garments that signified status.
• The Inca Army: Comprised of commoners who served when needed for military campaigns.
• Inca Religion: A polytheistic belief system centered on gods like Inti, Pachamama (Earth Goddess), and Viracocha (Creator God).