Emperor of the Inca Empire
The
Sapa Inca
(from
Quechua
Sapan Inka
;
lit.
'
the only emperor
'
) was the
monarch
of the
Inca Empire
(
Tawantinsuyu
), as well as ruler of the earlier
Kingdom of Cusco
and the later
Neo-Inca State
. While the origins of the position are mythical and originate from the legendary foundation of the city of
Cusco
, it seems to have come into being historically around 1100 AD. Although the Inca believed the Sapa to be the son of Inti (the Inca Sun god) and often referred to him as
Intip Churin
or 'Son of the Sun,' the position eventually became
hereditary
, with
son succeeding father
.
[1]
[2]
[3]
The principal wife of the Inca was known as the
Coya
or Qoya.
[3]
The Sapa Inca was at the top of the social hierarchy, and played a dominant role in the political and spiritual realm.
[3]
Manco Capac
, the first Inca monarch, adopted the title
Capac
(roughly translated as
King
).
[4]
Inca Roca
, the sixth Inca monarch, was evidently the first to bear the title
Sapa Inca
("emperor") officially.
[5]
There were two known
dynasties
, led by the Hurin and Hannan
moieties
respectively.
[6]
The latter was in power at the time of
Spanish conquest
. The last effective Sapa Inca of Inca Empire was
Atahualpa
, who was executed by
Francisco Pizarro
and his
conquistadors
in 1533, but several successors later claimed the title.
[7]
Other terms for Sapa Inca include
Apu
("divinity"),
Qhapaq
Inka
("mighty Inca"), or simply
Sapa
("the only one").
Choosing the Inca
[
edit
]
Chronicles identify the Inca as the highest ruler equivalent to European kings of the Middle Ages. However, the original access to that position was not linked to the inheritance of the eldest son, as is for a monarchy, but to the perceived selection of the gods by means of rigorous challenges, to which the physical and moral aptitudes of the pretender were tested.
[2]
These trials were accompanied by a complex spiritual ritual through which the Sun god, Inti nominated the one who should assume the Inca position.
[2]
Eventually, with the passage of time, Incas named their favorite son as co-governor with the intention of securing his succession,
[8]
for example, Huiracocha Inca associated Inca Urco to the throne.
[9]
The Coya, or Sapa Inca's primary wife, had significant influence upon making this decision of which son is apt to succeed his father.
[3]
[10]
Functions
[
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]
The Sapa Inca was the absolute ruler of the empire and accumulated in his power the political, social, military, and economic direction of the State.
[11]
[3]
He ordered and directed the construction of great engineering works, such as
Sacsayhuaman
, a fortress that took 50 years to complete;
[12]
or the urban plan of the cities.
[13]
However, among their most notable works, was the network of roads that crossed the entire empire and allowed a rapid journey for the administrators, messengers, and armies
[14]
provided with hanging bridges and
tambos
.
[15]
They made sure to always be supplied and well cared for,
[16]
as is reflected in the construction of storehouses scattered throughout the empire and vast food and resource redistribution systems.
[3]
[10]
The commander and chief of the standing army founded military colonies to expand the culture and control, while simultaneously ensuring the preservation of that network.
[17]
[3]
At the religious level, they were symbolic of the sun and promoted the worship of Inti, who was regarded as their ancestral father,
[18]
and organized the calendar.
[19]
At the political level, they sent inspectors to oversee the loyalty and efficiency of civil servants and collect tribute from the subjugated peoples.
[20]
The emperors promoted a unified and decentralized government in which Cuzco acted as the articulating axis of the different regions or Suyu.
[21]
They appointed highly trusted governors.
[22]
At the economic level, they decided how much each province should pay according to its resources.
[23]
They knew how to win over the curacas to ensure control of the communities. These were the intermediaries through whom they collected taxes.
[24]
[10]
Traditionally, every time an emperor died or resigned, his successor was disinherited from his father's inheritance and formed his own lineage royal clan or
Panaka
, his father's lands, houses and servants were passed to his other children remaining on the previous Panaka. The new Sapa Inca had to obtain land and spoils to bequeath to his own descendants.
[25]
Each time they subdued a people, they demanded that the defeated leader surrender part of their land to continue in command, and whose people pay tribute in the form of labor (mita) and taxes.
[26]
[10]
The Sapa Inca also played a major role in caring for the poor and hungry, hence his other title
Huaccha Khoyaq
or 'Lover and Benefactor of the Poor'.
[3]
The Sapa was responsible for organizing food redistribution in times of environmental disaster, allocated work via state-sponsored projects, and most notably promoted major state-sponsored religious feasts
[3]
that followed each successful harvest season.
[10]
Distinction symbols
[
edit
]
The Inca was divinized both in their actions and their emblems. In public he carried the
topayauri
(scepter),
ushno
(golden throne),
suntur paucar
(feathered pike), and the
mascaipacha
(royal insignia) commonly carried in a
llauto
(headband), otherwise, the
mascapaicha
could also be carried on an
amachana chuku
(military helmet).
[11]
In religious ceremonies he was accompanied by the sacred white flame, the napa, covered with a red blanket and adorned with gold earrings.
[27]
With textiles representing a form of status and wealth, it has been speculated that the Sapa Inca never wore the same clothes twice.
[10]
The community even revered the Sapa after his death, mummifying him and frequently visiting his tomb to "consult" him on pressing affairs.
[3]
Pre-Conquest Sapa Incas
[
edit
]
First dynasty
[
edit
]
Little is known of the rulers of the first dynasty of Sapa Incas. Evidently, they were affiliated with the Hurin moiety and their rule did not extend beyond the
Kingdom of Cusco
. Their origins are tied to the mythical establishment of
Cusco
and are shrouded in the later
foundation myth
. The dynasty was supposedly founded by
Manco Capac
, who is considered the son of the
Sun god
Inti
in
Inca mythology
.
[28]
As a rough guide to the later reputation of the early Sapa Incas, in later years
capac
meant warlord and
sinchi
meant leader.
Second dynasty
[
edit
]
The second dynasty was affiliated with the Hanan moiety and was founded under
Inca Roca
, the son of the last Hurin Sapa Inca,
Capac Yupanqui
. After Capac Yupanqui's death, another of his sons, Inca Roca's half-brother
Quispe Yupanqui
, was intended to succeed him. However, the Hanan revolted and installed Inca Roca instead.
[2]
Ninan Cuyochi
, who was Inca for only a few days in 1527, is sometimes left off the list of Sapa Incas because news of his death from
smallpox
arrived in Cusco very shortly after he was declared Sapa Inca. He had witnessed the death of his father Huayna Capac. The death of Ninan, the presumed heir, led to the
Inca Civil War
between Huascar and Atahualpa, a weakness that the conquistadors exploited when they
conquered the Inca Empire
.
[10]
Post-Conquest Sapa Incas
[
edit
]
This last Sapa Inca must not be confused with
Tupac Amaru II
, who was leader of an
18th-century Peruvian uprising
.
Family tree
[
edit
]
| DYNASTY OF THE Sapa Inca
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | First Dynasty
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | Manco Capac
1st
Sapa Inca
of
Cusco
(c. 1200?1230)
| | | | Mama Uqllu
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Sinchi Roca
2nd
Sapa Inca
of
Cusco
(c. 1230?1260)
| | | | Mama Qura
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | Lloque Yupanqui
3rd
Sapa Inca
of
Cusco
(c. 1260?1290)
| | | | Mama Qawa
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | Mayta Capac
4th
Sapa Inca
of
Cusco
(c. 1290?1320)
| | | | Mama Takukaray
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | Cunti Mayta
high priest
| | Capac Yupanqui
5th
Sapa Inca
of
Cusco
(c. 1320?1350)
| | Mama Chimpu Qurihillpay
| | | Cusi Chimbo
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Quispe Yupanqui
heir apparent to 1350
| | | Inca Roca
6th
Sapa Inca
of
Cusco
(c. 1350 ? c. 1380)
younger son of Capac Yupanqui
chosen Sapa Inca when the Hanan moiety rebelled against the Hurin moiety
| | | | Mama Mikay
| | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Second Dynasty
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Apu Mayta
a nephew & great warrior
| | | | | | Yahuar Huacac
7th
Sapa Inca
of
Cusco
(c. 1380 ? c. 1410)
| | | Mama Chikya
| | Inca Paucar
| | | Huaman Taysi Inca
| | Vicaquirau Inca
a great warrior
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Viracocha
8th
Sapa Inca
of
Cusco
(c. 1410?1438)
| | | | Mama Runtucaya
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Ccuri-chulpa
| | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Inca Rocca
heir apparent
| | | | | | | Tupac Yupanqui
| | | Cusi Inca Yupanqui
Pachacuti
9th
Sapa Inca
of
Cusco
1st Emperor of
Inca Empire
(1438?1471)
| | | Mama Anahuarqui
| Ccapac Yupanqui
| Inca Urco
| | Inca Socso
| | | | |
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Tupac Ayar Manco
| | | | | | | Apu Paucar
| | | Tupac Inca Yupanqui
10th
Sapa Inca
of
Cusco
2nd Emperor of
Inca Empire
(c. 1441 ? c. 1493)
| | | Mama Ocllo
| | |
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Queen
Kusi Rimay
| | | | Titu Cusi Hualpa
Huayna Capac
11th
Sapa Inca
of
Cusco
3rd Emperor of
Inca Empire
(c.1468?1524, probably of smallpox)
| | | Rahua Ocllo
| | | Auqui Tupac Inca
d. 1524 w/his brother and nephew, prob. of smallpox
| | | | | | 90 illegitimate sons and daughters, incl. Ccapac Huari, who tried to succeed his father
| |
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Ninan Cuyochi
Crown Prince
(1490?1527)
d. w/his father and uncle, probably of smallpox
| | | Thupaq Kusi Wallpa
Huascar
(Waskar)
12th
Sapa Inca
of
Cusco
4th Emperor of
Inca Empire
(1491?1532)
| | Chuqui Huipa
| | | Atahualpa
13th
Sapa Inca
of
Cusco
5th Emperor of
Inca Empire
(c. 1502 ? 26 July 1533)
| | Coya Asarpay
(died 1533)
| | Thupaq Wallpa
14th
Sapa Inca
of
Cusco
6th Emperor of
Inca Empire
(installed by Pizarro 1533)
| | Manco Inca Yupanqui
15th
Sapa Inca
of
Cusco
7th Emperor of
Inca Empire
1st Ruler of
Neo-Inca State
(1533 ? revolted 1536 ? 1544)
| | Paullu Inca
16th
Sapa Inca
of
Cusco
8th Emperor of
Inca Empire
(installed by Pizarro 1536?1549)
| | Atoc
, Konono, Wanka Auqui, Kizu Yupanqui, Tito Atauchi, Waman Wallpa, Kusi Wallpa, Tilka Yupanqu, & +
|
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Sayri Tupac
17th
Sapa Inca
2nd Ruler of
Neo-Inca State
(c. 1535?1561)
| | | | Titu Cusi
18th
Sapa Inca
2nd Ruler of
Neo-Inca State
(1529?1571)
| | | Tupac Amaru
19th & last
Sapa Inca
3rd Ruler of
Neo-Inca State
(1545 ? 24 September 1572)
| | descendants, incl son Carlos Inca, his son Melchor Carlos Inca, and his son Juan Melchor Carlos Inca
| |
- ^
Wilfred Byford-Jones,
Four Faces of Peru
, Roy Publishers, 1967, p. 17; p. 50.
- ^
a
b
c
d
Guaman Poma, Felipe (1615).
First New Chronical and Good Government
. Lima Peru.
- ^
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
"Inca Government"
.
World History Encyclopedia
. Retrieved
2019-05-01
.
- ^
McEwan, Gordon Francis (2006-01-30).
The Incas: New Perspectives
. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. p. 57.
ISBN
978-1-85109-579-7
.
Ayar Manco was selected as leader of the group and adopted the title Capac (roughly translated as King). As Manco Capac, he led the group toward a promised land where they were to settle.
}
- ^
Hyams, Edward; Ordish, George (1990).
The Last of the Incas: The Rise and Fall of an American Empire
. Dorset Press. p. 46.
ISBN
978-0-88029-595-6
.
The sixth ruler in line was Inca Roca. Although we have given the title Sapa Inca to some of his forebears, he was evidently the first to bear it officially.
- ^
Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa; Gabriel de Oviedo (1907).
History of the Incas
. Hakluyt Society. p.
72
.
- ^
Cova, Antonio de la.
"The Incas"
.
www.latinamericanstudies.org
. Retrieved
2017-07-26
.
- ^
Rostworowski, 1999: 53
- ^
Rostworowski, 2001: 124
- ^
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
Henderson, Peter (2013).
The Course of Andean History
. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.
- ^
a
b
Molestina, 1994: 26
- ^
Temoche, 2010: 227
- ^
Temoche, 2010: 31, 154, 225
- ^
Temoche, 2010: 159
- ^
Temoche, 2010: 53, 111, 144
- ^
Temoche, 2010: 145
- ^
Temoche, 2010: 71
- ^
Temoche, 2010: 181
- ^
Temoche, 2010: 179
- ^
Temoche, 2010: 144?145
- ^
Temoche, 2010: 157
- ^
Temoche, 2010: 144
- ^
Temoche, 2010: 143
- ^
Temoche, 2010: 116
- ^
Bravo, 1985: 95; Temoche, 2010: 130
- ^
Temoche Esquivel, Juan Francisco (2009).
Avaliacao da influencia do choque termico na aderencia dos revestimentos de argamassa
(Thesis). Universidade de Sao Paulo Sistema Integrado de Bibliotecas ? SIBiUSP.
doi
:
10.11606/t.3.2009.tde-03092009-162624
.
- ^
Martinengui, 1980: 37
- ^
"Who Was The Sapa Inca?"
.
Ancient Pages
. 2016-01-27
. Retrieved
2017-07-26
.
See also
[
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]
References
[
edit
]
|
---|
Hurin dynasty
| |
---|
Hanan dynasty
| |
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