Rise and Fall of the Inca Empire

The Rise and Fall of the

Inca Empire

Gordon McEwan

It was the western hemisphere's largest empire ever, with a population of nearly 10 million subjects. Yet within 100 years of its rise in the fifteenth century, the Inca Empire would be no more. 

What happened? 
Gordon McEwan details the rise and fall of the Inca Empire.

Lesson by Gordon McEwan, directed by TED-Ed.

View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-inca-empire-gordon-mcewan

Animated by Emma Carré - http://emma-carre.tumblr.com

According to legend, the ancestors of the Inca rulers were created by the sun god Inti, and they emerged from a cave called Tambo Toco. Leading four brothers and four sisters was Ayar Manco, who carried a golden staff with instructions to find the place where it would sink into the ground, showing fertile soil. After many adventures and extensive searching, Ayar Manco and his siblings reached the Cuzco Valley, where the staff pierced the ground. After fighting off the fierce local native population, they founded their capital, and Ayar Manco became Manco Capac, the first Sapa Inca, or king of the Incas. 

Archaeological evidence suggests that the Incas first settled in this valley around 1200 CE. They remained a small kingdom until 1438, when they were nearly overrun by the neighboring Chanka tribe.