The Sapa Inca
Essential Themes
Government: How are societies organized and why are they organized the way they are?
Culture: How do we know what we know about human history?
Government: How are societies organized and why are they organized the way they are?
Culture: How do we know what we know about human history?
Why did the Inca empire expand so rapidly?
Under the direction of the hero Pachacuti and the emperors who followed him, in 100 years the Inca conquered tribe after tribe until their empire stretched 2,500 miles through the rugged Andes Mountains. Such rapid expansion demanded strong leaders. Those who ruled the Inca people were called Sapa Inca. Sapa means "the only one," so Sapa Inca means the only Inca or "One True Inca." The Inca people believed their Sapa Inca was a direct descendant of the sun god Inti. In other words, the Inca people believed their rulers were gods.
The following story gives you a glimpse into the life of the Sapa Inca and the lives of those they ruled. As you read, keep these questions in mind:
Under the direction of the hero Pachacuti and the emperors who followed him, in 100 years the Inca conquered tribe after tribe until their empire stretched 2,500 miles through the rugged Andes Mountains. Such rapid expansion demanded strong leaders. Those who ruled the Inca people were called Sapa Inca. Sapa means "the only one," so Sapa Inca means the only Inca or "One True Inca." The Inca people believed their Sapa Inca was a direct descendant of the sun god Inti. In other words, the Inca people believed their rulers were gods.
The following story gives you a glimpse into the life of the Sapa Inca and the lives of those they ruled. As you read, keep these questions in mind:
- Who is coming to dinner?
- Why won’t the old ruler speak to his aides?
A Day in the Life of the Sapa Inca:
Everyone in the palace is excited. The old ruler’s son, now emperor, is coming to dinner. Though emperor, he still makes time to visit his father. The old king lives in splendor. His clothes are made of the finest materials. His subjects still revere him as a god.
The palace is being readied for a royal visit. Servants come and go, checking on details. The old ruler’s family pops in and out, seeking advice. Two aides are speaking with the old ruler. The temple at his summer home needs repair. One aide asks a question. The other aide answers it. The old ruler does not say a word, but you can tell that he is pleased. It’s good to know that although the old ruler has been dead for 25 years, his aides still know what he wants done. His servants still follow his every wish. His family still asks his advice on everything. And his son, who is also dead - has it been five years already? - is coming to dinner.
Brainbox: Who do today's leaders consult for advice?
An Inca's palace.
The story tells you a bit about what life was like for the dead ruler. What was life like for the living ruler? Just like so many other early cultures in South America, the Inca practiced something called split inheritance. That means that when one ruler died, their offspring might inherit the power of the Sapa Inca. However, they would inherit none of the wealth.
The Sapa Inca's wealth stayed with them into the after life - all of it, possessions and palaces alike. One of the outcomes of that system was that each new Inca had to create his own wealth. But it wasn't money they needed. The Inca did not use money. Instead, the Sapa Inca needed workers. It took labor to work the gold and silver mines, labor for building and for agriculture, and specialized labor to create beautiful things. Of course, one of the ways to get that labor is to go on a quest to continually conquer new tribes and to expand the reaches of the Inca empire. In order to maintain the lifestyle befitting a god, conquest became the goal for all Inca leaders.
The Sapa Inca's wealth stayed with them into the after life - all of it, possessions and palaces alike. One of the outcomes of that system was that each new Inca had to create his own wealth. But it wasn't money they needed. The Inca did not use money. Instead, the Sapa Inca needed workers. It took labor to work the gold and silver mines, labor for building and for agriculture, and specialized labor to create beautiful things. Of course, one of the ways to get that labor is to go on a quest to continually conquer new tribes and to expand the reaches of the Inca empire. In order to maintain the lifestyle befitting a god, conquest became the goal for all Inca leaders.
As a result of that endless desire to expand, alive or dead, the Inca ruler and his royal court lived in splendor. Alive or dead, they had to be treated as gods or horrible things might happen to the Inca people. It was the Inca way to make sure that the Sapa Inca lived in splendor. The way that the Inca government organized society meant that everyone worked for the Sapa Inca. And, if the Sapa Inca owned your labor, he also owned what you created with your labor. Essentially, the Sapa Inca - like the pharaohs in ancient Egypt - owned everything in the empire. Because of split inheritance, even after his death, the Inca had his own palace. Even after his death, the Inca kept his family and servants around him.
Who was the Sapa Inca?
The Sapa Inca
The Sapa Inca was the all-powerful emperor and leader of the Inca people. In this case, Inca means “emperor.” Sapa Inca means “the only emperor.” The Sapa Inca ruled everything and owned everything. After all, the Inca was not just a ruler; he was believed to be a direct descendant of the sun god, Inti. As a descendant of the gods, everything the Sapa Inca touched was considered holy and preserved. Everything! Left over food scraps, strands of hair, toenail clippings... Everything.
Everywhere the Sapa Inca went, servants surrounded him. Servants carried him in a golden litter - sometimes called a "king-carrier." Everywhere he went, he was waited on hand and foot. When the Inca left the palace, women and children, colorfully dressed in specially made outfits, went in front of the golden litter. They swept the ground, threw flowers, and played music. The emperor never went anywhere without his procession.
The Sapa Inca
The Sapa Inca was the all-powerful emperor and leader of the Inca people. In this case, Inca means “emperor.” Sapa Inca means “the only emperor.” The Sapa Inca ruled everything and owned everything. After all, the Inca was not just a ruler; he was believed to be a direct descendant of the sun god, Inti. As a descendant of the gods, everything the Sapa Inca touched was considered holy and preserved. Everything! Left over food scraps, strands of hair, toenail clippings... Everything.
Everywhere the Sapa Inca went, servants surrounded him. Servants carried him in a golden litter - sometimes called a "king-carrier." Everywhere he went, he was waited on hand and foot. When the Inca left the palace, women and children, colorfully dressed in specially made outfits, went in front of the golden litter. They swept the ground, threw flowers, and played music. The emperor never went anywhere without his procession.
Every Inca ruler had many wives. He could marry anyone of noble blood, but his main wife was one of his sisters. The Inca might have as many as 100 children, but only the sons of the Inca and his main wife could inherit the throne.
The emperor lived in a palace. He ate off plates made of gold and drank from cups made of gold. He wore a gold fringe around his forehead as the emblem of his office. His throne was a low stool, probably made of wood. Since wood was scarce, the stool was valuable. His blanket was made of the finest wool, wool woven so tightly it had the feel of silk. He slept on the floor on a mat, as did all people in the Inca empire.
The emperor lived in a palace. He ate off plates made of gold and drank from cups made of gold. He wore a gold fringe around his forehead as the emblem of his office. His throne was a low stool, probably made of wood. Since wood was scarce, the stool was valuable. His blanket was made of the finest wool, wool woven so tightly it had the feel of silk. He slept on the floor on a mat, as did all people in the Inca empire.
The Inca's gold headdress and earrings.
What did the Inca wear? Only the Inca could wear a headdress with his special fringe of gold and feathers. His coat was covered with jewels and pieces of turquoise. He wore heavy gold shoulder pads, heavy gold bracelets, and heavy gold earrings. His earrings were so heavy that they pulled his earlobes down until they rested on his shoulder pads. He wore shoes of leather and fur. He wore a royal shield on his chest engraved with a picture of the sun god. The Inca wore an outfit only once. When his clothes were removed, they were burned.
As a descendant of the gods, not just anyone could see the Inca. Whenever the Inca left his palace, his face was covered with a translucent cloth. It was believed that he was too splendid to be seen by everyone.
How did one become the Inca?
Could anyone become the next Inca? In the Inca empire, the oldest son was not the automatic heir to the throne. Any of the sons of the current Inca and his main wife were eligible to become the next Inca. Out of those eligible, the son who was the most worthy was selected. So the Inca could be proud of their new ruler, all potential heirs to the throne were given special training to make sure that they could outdo other boys in strength and endurance.
As a descendant of the gods, not just anyone could see the Inca. Whenever the Inca left his palace, his face was covered with a translucent cloth. It was believed that he was too splendid to be seen by everyone.
How did one become the Inca?
Could anyone become the next Inca? In the Inca empire, the oldest son was not the automatic heir to the throne. Any of the sons of the current Inca and his main wife were eligible to become the next Inca. Out of those eligible, the son who was the most worthy was selected. So the Inca could be proud of their new ruler, all potential heirs to the throne were given special training to make sure that they could outdo other boys in strength and endurance.
What happened to the Sapa Inca after he died?
When the Sapa Inca died, his body was mummified and his mummy was returned to the palace. Everyone treated the old ruler as if he were still alive. He was even carried out of the palace to participate in special festivals. His servants, wives, his male descendants and their wives, and aides all continued to live in the palace and to treat the old ruler as if he were still alive. The only exception was the new Inca. The new Inca had to move to his own palace. After all, even though the new Inca inherited the power of his father, he did not get his wealth.
When the Sapa Inca died, his body was mummified and his mummy was returned to the palace. Everyone treated the old ruler as if he were still alive. He was even carried out of the palace to participate in special festivals. His servants, wives, his male descendants and their wives, and aides all continued to live in the palace and to treat the old ruler as if he were still alive. The only exception was the new Inca. The new Inca had to move to his own palace. After all, even though the new Inca inherited the power of his father, he did not get his wealth.
Brainbox: Why did the Inca people treat their leaders as if they were alive, even after death?
How many Sapa Incas were there? Today, in Peru, when kids turn age six or so, they learn a chant in school. They chant the names of every Inca ruler in order, in one breath. It takes practice.
Here is the chant the kids in Peru learn today: Manco Capac, Sinchi Roca, lloque Yupanqui, Mayta Capac, Capac Yupanqui, Inca Roca, Yahuar Huacac, Viracocha, Pachacuti, Tupa Inca, Huayna Capac, Huascar, Atahualpa.
If you would like to try it, this is how to say the chant: MAHN-co-KAH-pahk SIN-chee-RO-kah YO-kay Yu-PAHN-kee MAY-ta KAH-pahk KAH-pahk Yu-PAHN-kee IN-kah RO-kah YAH-war WAH-kahk Wir-ah-DO-chah Pahchah-KOO-tee TU-pah IN-kah WAHY-nah KAH-pahk WAHS-kar Ah-tah-WAHL-pah
Remember, all in one breath!
How many Sapa Incas were there? Today, in Peru, when kids turn age six or so, they learn a chant in school. They chant the names of every Inca ruler in order, in one breath. It takes practice.
Here is the chant the kids in Peru learn today: Manco Capac, Sinchi Roca, lloque Yupanqui, Mayta Capac, Capac Yupanqui, Inca Roca, Yahuar Huacac, Viracocha, Pachacuti, Tupa Inca, Huayna Capac, Huascar, Atahualpa.
If you would like to try it, this is how to say the chant: MAHN-co-KAH-pahk SIN-chee-RO-kah YO-kay Yu-PAHN-kee MAY-ta KAH-pahk KAH-pahk Yu-PAHN-kee IN-kah RO-kah YAH-war WAH-kahk Wir-ah-DO-chah Pahchah-KOO-tee TU-pah IN-kah WAHY-nah KAH-pahk WAHS-kar Ah-tah-WAHL-pah
Remember, all in one breath!
What is the difference between the Lords of Cuzco & the Emperors of the Four Quarters?
The Inca Emperors
The Inca emperors are broken up into two groups: the Lords of Cuzco and the Emperors of the Four Quarters. Because the Inca never developed a system of writing, there is no written proof that any of the Lords of Cuzco ever existed, although some may have. The second group, the Emperors of the Four Quarters, did exist.
The Lords of Cuzco (the kings):
- Manco Capac (MAHN-do-KAH-pahk): Son of the Sun, mythical first king
- Sinchi Roca (SIN-chee-RO-kah): The Inca did not know much about this king, so they made up tall tales about him. One legend says that Sinchi Roca designed the first forehead fringe that forever after was a sign of royalty. The Inca also decided that this king helped to expand the empire. Since this was just a story, however, whom he conquered was never discussed.
- Lloque Yupanqui (YO-kay Yu-PAHN-kee): The Inca did not know much about this king either. He is credited with events done by other Inca later on. The Inca did not wish him to appear less than marvelous, so they made up marvelous stories about him. This emperor probably did not exist.
- Mayta Capac (MAHY-ta KAH-pahk): This Inca was the "Hercules" of Inca legend - he was super smart and super strong. Stories about this king mention that he was born with all his teeth in his mouth. The Inca knew very little about this king, so they gave him feats of super strength so they could be proud of him.
- Capac Yupanqui (KAH-pahk Yu-PAHN-kee): This king is also perhaps a made-up person, but Inca stories credit him as the first to demand tribute from neighboring tribes in the form of money, gold, silver, slaves, food, and pottery.
- Inca Roca (IN-kah RO-kah): Inca legends say this king started the first school for noble boys, and he was the first king to use “Inca” as his royal title.
- Yahuar Huacac (YAH-war WAH-kahk): Legend says this king was kidnapped as a child, but the wonderful Inca warriors got him back.
- Viracocha (Wir-ah-DO-chah): This Inca was supposedly the first king who expanded Inca lands beyond the Cuzco Valley.
The Emperors of the Four Quarters: This is the period when expansion began in earnest, and the Inca tribe became an empire. The empire lasted about 100 years. And these emperors probably did exist.
- Pachacuti (Pah-chah-KOO-tee): First emperor. Beginning in 1438, he created the Inca empire through conquest.
- Tupa Inca (TU-pah IN-kah): More expansion
- Huayna Capac (WAHY-nah KAH-pahk): More expansion
- Huascar (WAHS-kar): Fourth emperor. This emperor was at war with his brother, Atahualpa. Atahualpa won, killed his brother, and crowned himself Inca.
- Atahualpa (Ah-tah-WAHL-pah): Captured and executed by Francisco Pizarro, 1533.
When the Spanish army arrived in 1533, some Inca people managed to escape into the jungle. Over the next 40 years, there were seven more Sapa Inca. With the arrival of the Spanish, however, the time of the Inca empire was over. Therefore, those last seven Sapa Incas are not included in the chant.