Geography
Where in the modern-day world was the Inca Empire located?
It spanned modern-day Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, and Colombia
How was the Inca society organized?
Society was organized with the Sapa Inca (emperor) at the top, followed by nobles, administrators, artisans, and farmers.
How did the Inca pay for taxes?
The Incas didn’t use currency. Instead of paying taxes with money, people paid with labor and goods.
What kind of government did they have?
They had a monarchical and theocratic government
What did the Incas call themselves?
Tawantinsuyo (or Tahuantinsuyu) meaning 'Land of the Four Quarters'.
Where was the capital of the Inca Empire
Cuzco
Who had accessibility to education?
Only noble children received formal education, learning religion, leadership, and the Quechua language. Commoners learned skills from their families.
What role did the government play in agriculture (economically)?
The government owned all land, herds, and resources. People farmed or produced goods, but the state decided how they were used or distributed.
How was the empire divided?
The empire was divided into 4 territories, also called ‘theirs’
What was one invention of the Inca Empire?
The Incas made chuño, a type of freeze-dried potato they stomped and left out overnight in cold Andean air.
How did the Inca farm on the Andean slopes?
The Incas used terrace farming to grow crops like potatoes and maize on steep Andean slopes.
How was religion practiced socially?
The Incas practiced polytheism, with Inti (the sun god) as their most important deity. Priests led rituals, festivals, and sacrifices.
Since the Incas didn’t have horses, llamas transported goods across the empire, carrying food, textiles, and metals along the road system.
Who helped run the government?
High-ranking nobles, often related to the Sapa Inca, served as administrators, generals, and governors.
How were coca leaves used?
Workers and messengers chewed coca leaves (the same plant later used for cocaine) to reduce hunger and altitude sickness.
How did the Incas use vertical ecology?
The Incas organized agriculture and settlements according to vertical ecology, meaning they used different elevations for different crops and resources.
What was an ayllu?
The ayllu was the core social unit, a kin-based community that shared land, labor, and resources.
How was gold and silver used?
The Incas mined gold and silver, but instead of using it for trade, they crafted religious objects, jewelry, and decorations.
What were the laws or rules of the Inca Empire?
The Incas had no written legal code, but they enforced three main rules: “Do not steal, do not lie, do not be lazy.”
What was marriage like?
Adults were expected to marry by their early 20s, and some marriages were arranged for political or economic purposes.
What is Qhapaq Ñan?
An extensive road system that the Incas built over 24,000 miles (40,000 km) of roads crossing mountains, deserts, and valleys.
What role did women hold in society?
Inca women worked in farming, weaving, childcare, and state labor projects. Some were chosen to be aclla (chosen women) who produced textiles and performed religious duties.
Cloth made from alpaca or vicuña wool was considered one of the most valuable assets in the empire—even more special than gold.
How did politics relate to religion?
The emperor was believed to be a descendant of Inti, the sun god, which gave him religious authority over his subjects.
How were dead emperors treated?
Dead emperors were treated like they were still alive. Dressed, given food, and carried to ceremonies!