The rise and fall of the Inca Empire - Gordon McEwan
TED-Ed・4 minutes read
The Inca Empire was the largest in the Western Hemisphere, built impressive structures without the use of wheels, horses, iron, or written language. Descendants of the sun god Inti, the empire expanded under Pachacuti, but internal strife and Spanish conquest led to its downfall by 1572.
Insights
- The Inca Empire was an expansive civilization in the Western Hemisphere, known for its advanced infrastructure and lack of conventional tools like wheels, horses, iron, or written language. They employed unique methods such as a decimal-based bureaucracy and quipu for record-keeping.
- The downfall of the Inca Empire was a result of internal conflicts, external threats, and the arrival of Spanish conquistadors led by Francisco Pizarro. Despite valiant resistance, the empire succumbed to civil war, diseases, and ultimately Spanish conquest by 1572, marking the end of this once-mighty civilization.
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Recent questions
How large was the Inca Empire?
Nearly 10 million subjects over 900,000 square kilometers.
Who were the Inca rulers believed to be descendants of?
Descendants of the sun god Inti.
What significant reforms were implemented by Pachacuti?
Implemented reforms and built Machu Picchu.
How did the Inca Empire keep records?
Used a decimal-based bureaucracy and quipu.
What led to the downfall of the Inca Empire?
Defeated by Spanish conquistadors with advanced weaponry.
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Summary
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Rise and Fall of Inca Empire
- The Inca Empire was the largest in the Western Hemisphere, with nearly 10 million subjects spread over 900,000 square kilometers. They built impressive structures and infrastructure without the use of wheels, horses, iron, or written language.
- Legend has it that the Inca rulers were descendants of the sun god Inti, with Ayar Manco becoming the first Sapa Inca. The empire expanded under Pachacuti, who implemented reforms and built Machu Picchu. The empire used a decimal-based bureaucracy and quipu for record-keeping.
- The empire faced internal strife and external threats, leading to its downfall. Spanish conquistadors, led by Francisco Pizarro, defeated the Inca forces with advanced weaponry. Despite resistance in Vilcabamba, the Inca empire ultimately fell by 1572, destroyed by civil war, disease, and Spanish conquest.
