Incan+Empire+(Twantinsuyu)

The Incan Empire, known to its people as "Twantinsuyu", was a prosperous expansion state of the postclassical period located in the Andean region of South America. This empire rose under the first ruler, Pachatuti, and was based on the traditions of the Chimor and Huari peoples. It developed into a centralized power with an organized beaurocracy ruled by a divine king called the inca. The empire was divided into four provinces, each ruled by a noble governor, and these were further divided and governed by curacas, the local rulers. The Incas were militant people and expaned through military conquest, and as more lands were conquered the empire became of state of much ethnic diversity and integration. The agriculturally based economy was very prosperous due to a state-sponsored irrigation system as well as complex road system which aided trade, another key aspect of the economy. Rather than paying taxes as tribute, people were forced to pay tribute through labor, known as mita. Prisoners of war were generally sought after as labor forces as well and were generally kept as slaves. The Incas practiced a complex polytheistic religion with the main focus of worshipping the sun god, Inti. The inca (king) was thought to be a descendent of the sun and the sun's earthly representative. Other deities included the creator god Viracocha as well as earthly dieties such as gods of the sky, moon, etc. Huacas, or holy shrines, included temples, tombs, mountains, rivers, caves, and other natural features. The Temple of the Sun, located at the capital of Cuzco, was an example of their advanced architecture. The Incas were also known for their amazing metallurgy and use of precious metals, such as gold and silver. Socially, the people were organized into ayllus, community groups for the common good of the state, and women were reasonably equal to men, with much less oppression in comparison to other contemporary societies. The Incas practiced parallel descent, passing property down both the male and female line, as well as split inheritance for the king, giving all property and possesions to his sons but all power to the successor. The language of Quecha was spoken, and although they did not have a written language, they did use a form of numerical record keeping through a knot system called quipu. With the invasion of the Europeans, the Incan Empire saw its decline.

Created by: Frances Grimball October 22, 2008

Unit 3 Terms

http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Beach/2523/maps/perutawan2.html