Page 146 - How It Works - Book Of Amazing Answers To Curious Questions, Volume 05-15

How was life in the

Inca Empire?

Discover how this ancient South American civilisation
built cities in the clouds

n less than a century the Incas built an of weapons, but it was the organisation of the advantage of the rebellions and epidemics of
empire that stretched over 3,862 kilometres Inca government that really made their European diseases that were rife in the region at
I (2,400 miles) along the west coast of South conquests a success. the time, and took the land for their own.
America, making it the largest nation in the The Incas called their empire Tawantinsuyu Examples of the Inca way of life still live on, as
world at that time. Not only did they do this (“the four parts together”), as they divided it into many villagers dwelling in the Andes speak the
without the wheel, horses, or a formal written the northeast, southeast, northwest and Quechua language and farm the land as the
language, they also had to navigate deserts, southwest regions. Each region had its own Incas did 500 years ago. Some Inca cities also
rainforests and the highest mountain range on governor and group of local administrators to managed to escape destruction by the Spanish.
the continent, the Andes. oversee the settlements and report back to the One of the best-preserved sites is Machu Picchu,
The civilisation’s ruler was known as the Sapa Sapa Inca. When new areas were conquered, located 2,430 metres (7,972 feet) above sea level.
Inca, who led from the capital of Cuzco in Inca officials were sent to facilitate the spread of There are several theories about the site’s

present-day Peru. King Pachacuti was the fi rst their customs, language and general way of life, purpose, but one popular idea is that Machu
leader to expand beyond this region in the early resulting in the iconic settlements we see today. Picchu was a royal estate for the Sapa Inca. This
15th century, sending his army to conquer new However, in 1532, the Inca Empire collapsed ancient city in the clouds is now a UNESCO World
territories. Inca warriors were fearless, just as quickly as it had started. Spanish Heritage Site that gives tourists a glimpse into
well-disciplined and skilled at using a number conquistadors, led by Francisco Pizarro, took the past.

146 How It Works