The Inca Empire flourished from 1200-1532 AD in the Andes Mountains of western South America. It was founded by Pacachuti and had its capital in Cuzco. The Inca were ruled by an emperor called the Sapa Inca, who had absolute control. They developed an extensive road network and practiced organized agriculture, growing crops like corn and potatoes. The Inca also had a complex religion with Inti as the sun god and engaged in child sacrifice during important events. The Spanish led by Francisco Pizarro conquered the weakened Inca Empire after a civil war in 1531 AD.

1. 1200-1532 A.D

3. Located in the Andes Mountains of South America West Coast of South American in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, and Argentina Climate ranges from dry to snowy to hot jungle Founded by Pacachuti

4. Capital city was Cuzco Administrative center Temple of the Sun- inside walls made of gold & perfectly cut stones Machu Picchu the “Lost City of the Incas”

7. Ruled by an Emperor called the Sapa Inca and had absolute control Divine – the son of the sun Chief religious leader Gold was his symbol and the “sweat of the sun” The Queen was called the Coya Performed religious functions Served in absence of Sapa Inca

8. Officials collected taxes and enforced laws Kept records on a quipu, which were knotted strings

9. Imposed Quechua language and religion on conquered people Great system of roads adopted from the Mochia Let armies and news travel rapidly Cut into mountains and had many bridges Ordinary people could not use the roads Roads united large empire

10. Bridge

11. People lived in close-knit communities called ayllus One leader carried out government orders, assigned jobs and organized work Regulated society by arranging marriages to make sure men and women settled down People conquered by the Incans were put into Incan army

12. Farming Created terraces in mountains to farm on secured by stone walls Farmers spent part of year working land for emperor Grew corn, potatoes, cotton, squash, and beans Government gave part of harvest to people and stored the rest

14. Trade Traded new world vegetables and gold work Speculation that Inca traded in open air markets Domesticated the llama and the alpaca

15. Polytheistic Part of everyday life, every month had a festival Chief god was Inti, the Sun God Chosen Women dedicated their lives to serving the sun god

16. Servants on earth of the Sun God, Inti Specially chosen as girls, trained, and housed near the temple After training, either married a noble, served the royal family, or become one of the Chosen Women Made the clothes of the Sapa Inca and Coya since Sapa Inca could not wear the same clothes twice

18. Involved mainly children Happened around an important event Could only be perfect children Held a feast, took them to the top of a mountain, gave them something to intoxicate them Were either strangled, hit on the head, or left to die of exposure

20. Incas had no system of writing Calendar of 15 months, each with 3 weeks of 10 days Quipu measurement Advanced medicine- antiseptics and skull surgery Gold and silver works

22. 1525 A.D.- Sapa Inca Huayna Capac died of plague No successor leads to civil war, weakening the empire 1531 A.D.- Spanish led by Francisco Pizzaro conquered the Inca empire