The year is 2000 BCE The Inca tribe was not the first tribe of people to live in the Andes Mountains. People were living and farming in the western part of South America as early as 2000 BCE. Some archaeologists say they began farming as early as 5000 BCE. Like other ancient civilizations, these early people worshiped many gods. They built towns, worked metals, and made beautiful pottery.   The year is 1200 CE Three thousand two hundred years later (3200 years later), the Incas were a small band of people who lived peacefully in a region that would become the modern day country of Peru. Their capital was the town of Cuzco. The leader of the Incas was known as the Inca, which means emperor. (The Inca is also called the Sapa Inca, which means "the only emperor".) Like the Pharaohs of ancient Egypt, the Inca had absolute rule over his people, which is why his people were called the Incas (the Inca's people.) The ruling Inca usually treated his people with care. Like most ancient rulers, he lived in luxury. The royal family had the finest of everything, while his people were hard working peasants. The Inca tribe quarreled now and then with neighboring tribes. For the most part, life was peaceful.   The year is 1430 CE One day, around 1430 CE, a neighboring tribe started a war with the Incas. This was very upsetting to the Inca ruler. In those times, in South America, warring tribes usually killed the people they conquered. And the Incan army was losing badly. The Inca ruler did not wish to die. He convinced himself that if he accepted defeat, the warring tribe might spare the royal family. The Inca ruler knew that even if they did spare the royal family, they would still kill most of the common people. The ruler's son, Pachacuti, could not believe his father was considering sacrificing his people. Pachacuti acted. He called on the gods to help him. The Incas believed in a great many gods and goddesses, most of whom could be counted upon to help or hinder mortals in their wars and other mortal affairs. Legend says the gods decided to help Pachacuti save his people. The Incas were saved from total destruction when Pachacuti rallied the army, went into battle, and won the day. The New Inca: After the battle, Pachacuti crowned himself Inca, replacing his cowardly father as the new leader of the Incan people. Pachacuti turned out to be a great leader. He rebuilt the city of Cuzco. He rebuilt the army and set about conquering neighboring tribes. Incan Armies: The Incan armies were quite a sight. Their uniforms were very colorful. They marched into battle accompanied by drums, flutes and trumpets. The army was organized, well fed, and well trained. They wore warm clothing and protective headgear. They had plenty of medicine. Their weapons were superior to other neighboring tribes. Their main weapon was a wooden club. They also had bows, spears, and bolasses, which were Y-shaped cords with stones at three ends. They believed the gods were on their side. As time went on, when the Incan army marched their way, some tribes simply joined the Inca Empire rather than be defeated in battle. Pachacuti did not kill the people he conquered. Instead, he invited them to become part of the Inca Empire. He built schools. He built fabulous cities and fortresses. He placed his royal relatives in positions of power in the government throughout the Empire. The Inca rulers who followed him did the same. The Incan age of expansion had begun. In less than 100 years, the Incan would grow to become one of the largest empires of all time. Return to The Incredible Incas for Kids