WHI-Chap6/21-Obj7

Describe the rise, accomplishments and characteristics of the Inca people

After the disappearance of the Chavin and Moche societies, only a series of regional states remained. They often fought but none was powerful enough to take over the others. It wasn't until Pachacuti's reign (1438-1471) that the Incas were truly united. He went on a series of military campaigns expanding the the empire and their authority. By the late 15th century, the Inca empire stretched more than 4,000 kilometers down the South American coast from modern Quito to Santiago.

The Incas built and maintained an extensive road system. They were paved with stones, shaded by trees, and wide enough to fit 8 horsemen abreast. Relay runners, or messengers, would travel up and down the roads delivering important messages. 2 main roads stretched from the northern most part of the empire to the southern most point.

The Incas maintained a large beaucracy that acted more as a confederation: they held prisoners of war hostage and they enforced resettlement as a way to quell rebellions. They had no written script but instead a system of knotted wrotes called quipu and they spoke Quechua.

T&E (551-554)

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