Inca Empire
(Text by Duane R. Hurst © 2013)
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INCA LINKS: Significant Event: Construction of Machu Picchu Main Cities: Cusco; Tiwanaku Time: 1438-1533 AD Language: Aymara; Jaqaru; Quechua Personage: Atahualpa; Manco Cápac Religion: Inca Gods Related Country: Bolivia; Chile; Ecuador; Perú Brief History: I have included only a few items concerning the history of this empire. A good source for more details can be found on Wikipedia or in history books. EARLY YEARS: Pre-Inca civilizations flourished in the region from approximately 600 BC to rise of the Inca Empire in 1438 AD. Manco Cápac founded the Kingdom of Cusco (1197-1438 AD), which eventually became the Incan Empire. Subsequent rulers expanded the kingdom through war with neighboring kingdoms. King Yahuar Huacac (7th Incan ruler) attacked the Chancas people of Andahuaylas, who eventually fell to the army of Pachacuti. |
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EMPIRE EXPANSION:
Incans called their empire "Tawantinsuyu" (four regions together). In 1438 AD, "Sapa Inca" (Paramount Leader) Pachacuti initiated expansion of the Kingdom of Cusco into an empire. He probably ordered construction of Machu Picchu as a vacation estate high in the Andes Mountains. Pachacuti's son, Topa Inca Yupanqui, conquered the rival coastal Kingdom of Chimor. The Mapuche people thwarted Incan expansion southward in battle at the Maule River sometime between 1471 and 1493 AD. The Shuar people likewise halted Incan expansion into the Amazon River Basin in 1527 AD. EMPIRE COLLAPSE: In 1524 and 1526 AD, Francisco Pizarro of Spain led contingents of conquistadors who failed to triumph against the Incans. In 1530 AD, Pizarro founded the first Spanish settlement at San Miguel de Piura. Spanish forces captured Emperor Atahualpa during the Battle of Cajamarca in November 1532 AD. Although a huge ransom in gold was paid, Pizarro ordered Atahualpa to be executed. He conquered Cusco and ended the Incan Empire the same year. Pizarro triumphed over a comrade, Diego de Almagro, in the Battle of Las Salinas in 1538 AD. Pizarro won and executed Almagro, but Salinas' son later assassinated Pizarro on 26 June 1541 AD. |
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© Page Publisher: Duane R. Hurst
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