Since the Incas never developed a system of writing, archaeologists must study myths and legends and the artifacts they left behind for clues about the ancient Inca civilization. 

Incan Tall Tales: The Incas loved stories. Special "wise men" created stories that were told over and over. They loved tall tales. Their emperors always did amazing things. Their battles were always bigger than life. The Incas believed in many gods. Some of their stories were about the wondrous feats of their gods. One Incan myth refers to an old man with long white hair, who was really a god. This god lived in a coal sack (the Milky Way). He created the Incan people.

Another popular myth tells a story about Manco Capac and Inti, the sun god. In that myth, the sun god created the Incan people. The story of Manco Capac is still told in Peru today. Click here to read this myth.

A Little History: At first, the Incas were simply a small tribe that lived in the city of Cuzco. They worshiped gods of nature. They believed in omens and dreams. Around 1430 C.E, a neighboring tribe attacked the Incas. The Incas won! That was the beginning of the Inca Empire.

Size of the Inca Empire: Over the next 100 years, the Inca Empire grew into a vast empire. The Incas were able to build a vast empire by demanding loyalty from conquered people. At the height of their power, the Inca Empire was 2,500 miles long, 500 miles wide, and home to 12 million people. These people called themselves "the Children of the Sun".

Land of the Four Quarters: The land the Incas ruled became known as "the land of the four quarters". It was named that because the Inca Empire was divided into four parts for ruling purposes. Cuzco was still the capital.

Sapa Inca and his Government: The Incas had a strong central government. The leader of the Inca people was the Inca, sometimes called the Sapa Inca (the only Inca), the emperor. His was not an elected position. The Inca was born to the job. The Sapa Inca was all-powerful. Everything belonged to the Sapa Inca. He ruled his people by putting his relatives in positions of power. Because punishment was harsh and swift, almost no one broke the law. 

The government was responsible for taking care of the people, including the poor, the sick, and the elderly. The government built roads and bridges and aqueducts to carry water to the people. In times of drought, the government distributed food. In times of natural disaster, such as earthquake, the government sent troops with food and blankets.

The Common People: In exchange, it was the people's job to work for the government. The common people worked very hard. But no one went hungry and no one was homeless in the Inca Empire. The state made sure everyone had enough food to eat and warm clothing to wear. It was important that people stay healthy. They were needed as workers.

Service Tax: The nobles who ruled the provinces conducted a census so that all people could be taxed. A census is an official count of all the people in an area and how they make a living. The Incas loved gold and silver, but they had no use for money. All Incan men gave the government some of their time each year in physical labor. This was how they paid their tax - with their service or their labor. The government built great palaces, public buildings, and the famous Incan roads with this labor. 

Terrace Farming: To feed the millions of people in the Inca Empire, the Incas invented terrace farming so they could grow crops on the steep mountain slopes. They used systems of irrigation to catch the rainfall and the spring run off from the snow-capped Andes mountaintops.

Religion: The Incas believed that their ruler was the direct descendant of the sun god, Inti. Their ruler was a god. The Incas believed in many gods. They believed in the god of nature, the moon, of weather, of rainbows, and of planets. Every mountaintop was a god. All Incas had little statues in their homes that were the homes of little spirits. Anything might house a god. Just to be safe, they prayed to all their gods every day. 

Every month, the Incas held a huge and public religious festival honoring one of their major gods. At the festival, there was dancing and feasting and sacrifice. Mostly, the Incas sacrificed animals. Sometimes, if something really important was going on, they sacrificed people. 

Crime and Punishment: There was almost no crime in the Inca Empire. Inca laws were very harsh. Punishment was swift.

Fall of the Inca Empire: The Spanish conquered the Incan civilization. Francisco Pizarro led the Spanish invaders. After a series of fierce battles, the Incas were defeated in 1531. The ancestors of the Incas still live in the modern day country of Peru today.

Incas for Kids