Sapa Inca

Statue of the Sapa Inca Pachacuti wearing the Mascapaicha (imperial crown), in the main square of Aguas Calientes, Peru

The Sapa Inca (from Quechua sapa inka; lit. 'the only emperor') was the monarch of the Inca Empire (Tawantinsuyu "the region of the four [provinces]"), as well as ruler of the earlier Kingdom of Cuzco and the later Neo-Inca State. While the origins of the position are mythical and originate from the legendary foundation of the city of Cuzco, it seems to have come into being historically around 1100 AD. Although the Inca believed the sapa Inca to be the son of Inti (the Sun god) and often referred to him as Inti churi "solar son" or Intip churin "son of the Sun", the position eventually became hereditary, with son succeeding father.[1][2][3] The principal wife of the Inca was known as the coya or quya.[3] The Sapa Inca was at the top of the social hierarchy, and played a dominant role in the political and spiritual realm.[3]

Manco Capac, the first Inca monarch, adopted the title capac or qhapaq (roughly translated as "king").[4] Inca Roca, the sixth Inca monarch, was evidently the first to bear the title sapa Inca ("emperor") officially.[5]

There were two known dynasties, led by the Hurin and Hanan moieties respectively.[6] The latter was in power at the time of Spanish conquest. The last effective Sapa Inca of Inca Empire was Atahualpa, who was executed by Francisco Pizarro and his conquistadors in 1533, but several successors later claimed the title.[7]

Other terms for sapa Inca include apu ("lord"), qhapaq Inka ("mighty Inca") or simply sapa ("the only one").

  1. ^ Wilfred Byford-Jones, Four Faces of Peru, Roy Publishers, 1967, p. 17; p. 50.
  2. ^ Guaman Poma, Felipe (1615). First New Chronical and Good Government. Lima Peru.
  3. ^ a b c "Inca Government". World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2019-05-01.
  4. ^ McEwan, Gordon Francis (2006-01-30). The Incas: New Perspectives. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. p. 57. ISBN 978-1-85109-579-7. Ayar Manco was selected as leader of the group and adopted the title Capac (roughly translated as King). As Manco Capac, he led the group toward a promised land where they were to settle.}
  5. ^ Hyams, Edward; Ordish, George (1990). The Last of the Incas: The Rise and Fall of an American Empire. Dorset Press. p. 46. ISBN 978-0-88029-595-6. The sixth ruler in line was Inca Roca. Although we have given the title Sapa Inca to some of his forebears, he was evidently the first to bear it officially.
  6. ^ Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa; Gabriel de Oviedo (1907). History of the Incas. Hakluyt Society. p. 72.
  7. ^ Cova, Antonio de la. "The Incas". www.latinamericanstudies.org. Retrieved 2017-07-26.