By P. Deligiannis
Α bloody conflict between warriors of the pre-Columbian Andean area, in a painting by the Belgian artist Jean Torton. The uniformity of clothing is conventional and did not actually exist, at least before the Inca empire. The other items of clothing and weaponry are generally valid. Note the mace with the copper star head, probably the most popular weapon at the time of the Incas (copyright: Jean Torton).
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An Introduction to the Ηistory of the Incas HERE.
The lack of arable land and the aggression of the neighboring tribes forced the founder of the dynasty of the Incas, Manco Capac, to lead the Inca tribe (a tribe of the Quechua group) from their home village Paqari Τampu, in search of a new homeland. Eventually the Incas invaded the fertile valley of Cuzco, where they attacked the inhabitants of the village and expelled them. From Cuzco, the Incas began to raid neighboring tribes and villages, making ultimately several of them their tributary subjects. Thus it was created the first kingdom of the Incas. The successors of Manco, Sinchi Roca and Lloque Yupanqui, are listed by the Incan tradition as peaceful rulers who did not add new conquests in the kingdom. However new conditions that emerged, led to its expansion. According to a theory, these conditions were associated with climate change in the central Andes during the 14th century, that brought about a slight decrease in rainfall in the region. The fertility of the valley of Cuzco is largely dependent on rainfall, so it is estimated that there was a significant decline in agricultural production, with some areas possibly deserted. The Incas had to deal with the crisis by annexing more arable land or water resources for irrigation. This situation led the new Inca ruler Mayta Capac – a tall and aggressive youth as he is described by the tradition – in new campaigns. At the beginning of his reign, the Incas began using water resources belonging to the territory of a neighboring tribe. The opponent warriors defended their lands against the Incas, leading to the start of a war. Mayta Capac’s warriors were the final winners. They killed many of their enemies, looted their homes, annexed a part of their territory and forced the survivors to pay tax.