Inca

• What was one of the largest and most sophisticated pre-Columbian civilizations in the Americas?

  The Inca Empire
• What facilitated the extensive territorial control of the Inca Empire?

  A highly organized administrative system
• What title was given to the emperor of the Inca Empire?

  Sapa Inca
• What type of authority did the Sapa Inca hold?

  Both divine and political authority
• How was the Inca Empire administratively structured?

  • Divided into four regions
  • Each governed by a governor appointed by the emperor
  • Included a class of nobility known as “Inkap rantin”
  • Nobility served as regional administrators and held military and bureaucratic positions
• What was the role of the “chasquis” in the Inca Empire?

  They were relay runners for communication
• What was the capital city of the Inca Empire?

  Cusco
• What was located in the capital city of Cusco?

  The emperor’s residence and the Coricancha
• What system did the Inca use for census-taking?

  Quipu
• How did the quipu system work?

  It recorded numerical and statistical information using knotted strings
• What was the purpose of the census data collected through quipu?

  To aid in resource allocation, tax collection, and labor organization
• What was the Inca tax system called?

  Mit’a
• What did the mit’a system involve?

  Mandatory public service or labor from male citizens
• What types of projects did the Inca government direct labor towards under the mit’a system?

  • Agricultural terracing
  • Road construction
  • Irrigation systems
  • Architectural endeavors (temples and administrative centers)
• How was the labor tax under the mit’a system characterized?

  As a form of reciprocal exchange
• What benefits were provided to those who contributed labor under the mit’a system?

  Food, clothing, and social welfare services
• What system did the Inca Empire use to assess the labor force?

  Census system
• Why was the census system important for the Inca Empire?

  It allowed authorities to allocate tasks efficiently
• What did the Inca state maintain to distribute among the population?

  Storehouses of goods
• What was the mit’a in the context of the Inca Empire?

  A labor system where individuals received compensation for their services
• What role did the taxation system play in the Inca Empire?

  It facilitated communication, trade, and societal cohesion
• How did the taxation system impact the Inca Empire?

  It redistributed resources and sustained infrastructure
• What was one of the key outcomes of the Inca Empire's administration?

  Efficient allocation of tasks and resources
• What role did religious beliefs play in the administration of the Inca Empire?

  They played a central and integral role.
• How did religious beliefs influence the governance of the Inca Empire?

  They profoundly influenced its governance, social structure, and cultural identity.
• What was at the core of Inca administration?

  The concept of divine rulership.
• What title was given to the Inca emperor?

  Son of the Sun.
• Why was the Inca emperor considered a direct descendant of the sun god Inti?

  This belief legitimized the ruler’s authority.
• What did the divine connection between the Inca leader and celestial forces reinforce?

  It reinforced the idea that the prosperity of the empire depended on maintaining spiritual harmony.
• What were the focal points of Inca religious practices and administration?

  Temples and sacred sites, such as the Coricancha in Cusco.
• What purposes did the monumental structures like Coricancha serve?

  They served as places of worship and centers for political decision-making and administration.
• Why did the Incas believe maintaining the purity of sacred spaces was essential?

  It was essential for the well-being of the empire.
• In which region did the Inca Empire thrive?

  Andean region of South America
• When did the Inca Empire flourish until?

  Spanish Conquest in the 16th Century
• What does the art and architecture of the Inca Empire reflect?

  The extraordinary engineering skills and cultural sophistication of the civilization
• What is a notable example of Inca architecture?

  Machu Picchu
• What is Machu Picchu known as?

  The "Lost City of the Incas"
• What architectural feature is prominent in Machu Picchu?

  Precisely cut stone blocks and terraced agricultural fields
• How did the Incas integrate their architecture with the environment?

  By seamlessly integrating architectural design with the natural landscape
• What does Machu Picchu serve as a testament to?

  The architectural brilliance and cultural legacy of the Inca Empire