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 Incas 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 denoted royalty. The Incas also decided this king helped to expand the empire, but since this was just a story, who he conquered was never discussed.)

Lloque Yupanqui - YO-kay Yu-PAHN-kee (The Incas did not know much about this king either. He is credited with events done by other Incas later on. The Incas 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 Incas knew very little about this king; 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 Incan stories credit this king 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.)

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 did exist (probably.)

Pachacuti - Pah-chah-KOO-tee (First emperor. Creator of the Inca Empire by conquest) 1438

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 this brother, Atahualpa. Atahualpa won, killed his brother, and crowned himself Inca.

Atahualpa - Ah-tah-WAHL-pah (Captured and executed by Francisco Pizarro 1533)

Incas after the Spanish Conquest: When the Spanish army arrived, some Incan people managed to escape into the jungle. There were 7 more Incas over a period of about 40 years. Kids in Peru today know all the Inca rulers names. They chant them. The last 7 Incas are not in the chant because the time of the Inca Empire was over.

Land of the Four Quarters

Incas for Kids