I found this reading about the Incan Empire to be more interesting than the Aztec Empire. Even though I find the Aztecs’ belief in human sacrifice to be very interesting, I was particularly interested in the way in which the Incas perceived dead kings as gods, “a dead king could be addressed as Illapa, which was also the name for the thunder or weather god” also the belief in the “continuing life of the dead king and the supreme importance of their bodies” (115). They found it important to bring offerings to their beloved kings in the form of food, drink, cloths, etc. Following the “death” of the king, it was up to his cult to take care of his property and to preserve his legacy.
This, Conrad and Demarest, argue was a contributing factor to the rapid rise and demise of the Incan Empire. The desire for kings to create his own agricultural estate so he could be worshiped in the afterlife led to the need to conduct military conquest in order to obtain new territory thus expanding the empire. Conrad and Demarest state that it was in the interest of the Incan State, the citizens, and special interest groups. The state benefited because of economic growth with more farmland. Also, during military conquest, specific interest groups or individual citizens could benefit by showing valor. They could receive grants of land or special honors improving their social status for their courageous service (122-125). These desires for expansion led to internal and external difficulties causing the destruction of the Empire.
This was very interesting because it allowed us, especially those of us, such as myself, who have little knowledge of early Latin American civilizations, to compare the similarities and differences of the Incas to the Aztecs.
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