In the land of Tawantinsuyu (The Four Parts Together) the Incas reigned in the late 15th century over the greatest empire ever seen in the independent Americas. Their territory included parts of the present-day countries of Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. Yet we know little of these people, especially from firsthand written accounts. This course introduces the Incas, a small ethnic group from the southern Peruvian highlands, who forged a civilization rich in material and culture and expanded their domain to control large expanses of territory in a short period of time through diplomacy, enculturation, and military force. A Powerful Story and a Potent Legacy
The story of the Incas is a powerful one, and their legacy remains a potent influence in the Andes of South America. In this insightful lecture series, Columbia University professor Terence D'Altroy focuses on Inca life at the height of the empire, the society's origins, its military, religion, ruling structure, and finally, the Inca legacy today.
Lecture 1 Portrait of the Incas: An Introduction
Lecture 2 The Land and Its People
Lecture 3 The Origins of Inca Society
Lecture 4 The Formation of Tawantinsuyu: The Inca Empire
Lecture 5 Inca Militarism
Lecture 6 Cuzco: The Navel of the Universe
Lecture 7 The Royal Estates
Lecture 8 At the Heart of Power
Lecture 9 Powers of the Sky and Earth, Past and Present
Lecture 10 Growing Up Inca
Lecture 11 Provincial Rule
Lecture 12 Building the Empire
Lecture 13 Provisioning the State and the Sun
Lecture 14 Invasion and Aftermath