Sapa Inca Research Paper

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The Incan political system was one of superior sophistication for its time. The political system was that of an aristocracy meaning that a few entitled people ruled the rest of society. The Incan government was organized in a pyramid-like fashion, with the most power resting in the hands of a few and working its way down. The Sapa Inca was at the very top of the pyramid; he was also referred to as the king. He was the descendant of the Sun God Inti. He ruled form the capital Cuzco. The most famous Inca king was Pachacuti. Following the Sapa Inca in power were the members of the Supreme Council, or the Apus. There were 16 men in the supreme council and they held power much like the senate does today. Each Apus had 4 men, and each quarter had …show more content…

Within the four quarters, the people were further divided into clans called "Ayllus". Each Ayllus was in itself a small community. Each quarter was ruled by a governor called 'Apu-cuna'. The governor’s primary responsibility was to make sure its land and people were working smoothly. Then came the officials; this included army officers, priests, judges, and others from the noble class. The tax collectors were next; there was once tax collector for each community (ayllu). At the very bottom of the pyramid of power came the laborers or workers. The majority of the Inca population was included in this section. The laborers were the driving force behind the Inca economy and the reason the hierarchical political system was in place. (Heinemann/Raintree ) Crime in the Inca Empire was virtually non-existent. They live in a peaceful society and cooperated with each other. When a crime did occur however, punishment did follow. The Incas did not have prisons. Instead for serious crimes such as murder, stealing and blasphemy offenders were executed by being pushed off a cliff. Less serious crimes were punished by cutting off the hands or

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