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The Incas

The Incas. Government. Incas ruled by emperor Held absolute power over all decisions Also served as chief religious leaders Served in capital at Cuzco Strong Central Government Emperor oversaw provinces, which were run by nobles and ‘chieftains’ Officials collected taxes and enforced laws

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The Incas

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  1. The Incas

  2. Government • Incas ruled by emperor • Held absolute power over all decisions • Also served as chief religious leaders • Served in capital at Cuzco • Strong Central Government • Emperor oversaw provinces, which were run by nobles and ‘chieftains’ • Officials collected taxes and enforced laws • Millions of citizens spoke the same language and observed the same religion

  3. Social Structure Emperor Nobles, Officials Priests Warriors Peasants Slaves

  4. Religion • Polytheistic • Which means… • Primarily focused on the sun god • Worshipped many gods that controlled the forces of natures • Priests • Conducted rituals and led monthly religious festivals

  5. Decline • Death of the emperor in 1525 • Civil War • Weakened by internal fighting, the Inca were easily crushed by the Spanish after years of fighting in 1572

  6. Contributions • Architecture and Engineering • 12,000 miles of roads • Bridges, tunnels, and inclined roads • Capital city of Cuzco • Giant Temple of the Sun • Inner walls lines with gold, and built to withstand major earthquakes http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/53/Inca_roads-en.svg

  7. Contributions • Agriculture • Terraces • Machu Picchu great example of use of terraces for farming • Terraces made it possible to farm in places lacking flat farm land

  8. Contributions • Communication and Science • Quipus • Incan government officials kept records by using knotted colored strings called quipus • Recorded statistics including population, and significant dates and events • Calendar • Medicine • Surgery to treat head wounds • Knowledge of disease and medicine

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