HISTORY:

 The Inca Empire was a kingdom that developed in the Andes region of South America
and gradually grew larger through the military strength and diplomacy of their
emperors. Known as Tawantinsuyu, the Inca state spanned the distance of some 2,500
miles, from northern Ecuador to central Chile, and at its peak consisted of 12 million
inhabitants from more than 100 different ethnic groups.

 Well-devised agricultural and roadway systems, along with a centralized religion and
language, helped maintain a cohesive state. Despite their power, the Inca were quickly
overwhelmed by the diseases and superior weaponry of Spanish invaders, and the last
bastion of their immense empire was overtaken in 1572.

LOCATION/LEGEND:

 The Inca Empire is thought to have originated at the city of Cuzco in what is modern-
day southern Peru. In some mythical tales, the Inca was created by the sun god, Inti
who sent his son, Manco Capac to Earth. Legend has it that he first killed his brothers
and then led his sisters into a valley near Cuzco, where they settled down around 1200
A.D.

 The empire later extended along the Pacific coast and Andean highlands from the
northern border of modern Ecuador to the Maule River in central Chile.

POLITICAL ORGANIZATION:

 The Inca government was called the Tawantinsuyu. It was a monarchy ruled by a single
leader called the Sapa Inca, which means "sole ruler". He was the most powerful
person in the land and everyone else reported to the Sapa Inca. His principal wife, the
queen, was called the coya.

 Below the Sapa Inca were several officers who helped to rule the empire. High ranking
officials were often relatives of the emperor and were always part of the Inca class.

SOCIAL ORGANIZATION:

 Inca society was based on a strictly organized class structure. There were three broad
classes:

1.The Emperor: at the top of Inca society was the emperor who ruled with complete authority.

2.Nobles: below the Sapa Inca were the nobles. The Inca nobility was made up of leaders who
helped administer the vast empire.

3.Commoners: most of the people in the Inca Empire were commoners who worked as
farmers and herders.

ECONOMIC GROWTH:
  The Incas had a centrally planned economy, perhaps the most successful ever seen. Its
success was in the efficient management of labor and the administration of resources
they collected as tribute. Collective labor was the base for economic productivity and
for the creation of social wealth in the Inca society.

 Labor was divided according to region, agriculture would be centralized in the most
productive regions, ceramic production, road building, textile and other skills. The
government collected all the surplus after local needs were met and distributed it
where it was needed. In exchange for their work citizens had free clothing, food,
health care and education.

RELIGION:

The Inca religion centered on a pantheon of gods that included Inti; a creator god named
Viracocha; and Apu Illapu, the rain god. Impressive shrines were built throughout the kingdom,
including a massive Sun Temple in Cusco that measured more than 1,200 feet in
circumference.

MYTHS:

One of the most popular Inca myths tells that the Andean god Viracocha gave rise to a
universe that had no light and was inhabited by giants who disobeyed him. This motivated
Viracocha to create torrential rains and, consequently, a fatal flood.

TRUTHS:

Here are some 5 truths about the Incas:

 The Inca Empire only lasted for about one century.

 The Incas didn't have a written alphabet, but they had khipu.
 The Incas domesticated very few animals – llamas, alpacas, ducks, and guinea pigs.
 The Incas were mostly vegan.

ART:

The art of the Inca civilization of Peru produced some of the finest works ever crafted in the
ancient Americas. Inca art is best seen in highly polished metalwork, ceramics, and, above all,
textiles, which was considered the most prestigious of art forms by the Incas themselves.

ARQUITECTURE:

Inca architecture includes some of the most finely worked stone structures from any ancient
civilization. Inca buildings were almost always practical and pleasing to the eye. They are also
remarkably uniform in design with even grand imperial structures taking on a similar look to
more humble buildings, the only significant differences being their much larger scale and
quality of finish.

IMPORTANT PHILOSOPHER:

 The Inca empire did not have any philosopher. Nevertheless, cusi inca yupanqui, who
soon took the title of pachacuti, became one of the incas's most influential rulers
  he is most famous for designing the modern Inca empire, including many of its most
famous sites, the most famous of these sites include Machu Picchu, end Qurikancha,
which were a huge contributing fact to what makes the Inca empire so great.

LEGACY:

Today, many of the traditions the Inca carried out live on in the Andes. Textile making is still
popular, the foods they ate are consumed around the world and archaeological sites like
Machu Picchu are popular tourist attractions. Even their ancient language, Quechua, is still
widely spoken.

DECLINE:

Despite these advances, the arrival of Spanish explorers in the 1500s soon set into motion the
events that would lead to the collapse of the Inca Empire. The collapse of the Inca Empire
started when the Spaniards arrived in Central America and transmitted their diseases to locals
who spread them to other parts of the continent including South America.