Social Class System: Upper Class
Upper Class
The upper class consisted of the emperor and nobles. The Incas believed that Viracocha chose thirteen kings but only six can be dated:
Viracocha Inca (ruled until 1438)
Pachacuti (1438-1471)
Topa Inca Yupsnqui (1471-1493)
Huayan Capac (1493-1528)
Huascar (1528-1532)
Atahualpe (1532-1533)
Archeologists believe that the other, earlier seven kings were mythical figures.
The Sapa Inca was believed to be a direct descendent of Inti. To keep the blood line pure, the first, mythical Sapa Inca, Manco Capac, married his sister. The Incas glorified marriage between relatives because it kept bloodlines pure. The Sapa Inca’s first wife or sister was called the coya and became the queen. Her children were considered pure blood descendants of Inti. The eldest son usually became the king but if he did not seem capable, the next oldest or most capable son was chosen. The Sapa Inca usually had many other wives or mistresses other than the coya.
Viracocha Inca (ruled until 1438)
Pachacuti (1438-1471)
Topa Inca Yupsnqui (1471-1493)
Huayan Capac (1493-1528)
Huascar (1528-1532)
Atahualpe (1532-1533)
Archeologists believe that the other, earlier seven kings were mythical figures.
The Sapa Inca was believed to be a direct descendent of Inti. To keep the blood line pure, the first, mythical Sapa Inca, Manco Capac, married his sister. The Incas glorified marriage between relatives because it kept bloodlines pure. The Sapa Inca’s first wife or sister was called the coya and became the queen. Her children were considered pure blood descendants of Inti. The eldest son usually became the king but if he did not seem capable, the next oldest or most capable son was chosen. The Sapa Inca usually had many other wives or mistresses other than the coya.
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The Incas believed that if someone had a piece of hair, clothing, or anything else you have touched or own, they could bewitch you by using that object. Because of that belief, the Sapa Inca ordered a servant to swallow any pieces of his hair that had fallen out. Anything the Sapa Inca used or touched and any toe or fingernails were saved and then burned. These burnings occurred once a year.
The highest-ranking nobles were those who were related to the Sapa Inca. These nobles were part of the panaca or family unit. They paid the Sapa Inca’s bills, provided for his often large family, and oversaw his finances. The nobility that were not blood related to the Sapa Inca oversaw the work being done and that it was on schedule. They also collected tax and were given privileges such as having more than one wife.
The sons of the nobility had to earn the right to take over their father’s position. To earn this position, they spent four years studying at the Yachahuasi or the House of Learning, and college in Cuzco. If they did well enough in their studies and passed their trials, then they were awarded a llauto, a narrow headband with two feathers and a silver disk attached. The size of the silver disk showed if the person was lower or higher nobility. They also got their ears pierced and wore big hoops and disks of gold, silver, or wood. These earrings were so heavy that their earlobes would be stretched until sometimes they touched the noble’s shoulders.
A commoner or a yanca aylla could become a noble if he was chose to fill a spot in the Inca government. He would also have to complete his four years at the Yachahuasi and earn his llauto.
The highest-ranking nobles were those who were related to the Sapa Inca. These nobles were part of the panaca or family unit. They paid the Sapa Inca’s bills, provided for his often large family, and oversaw his finances. The nobility that were not blood related to the Sapa Inca oversaw the work being done and that it was on schedule. They also collected tax and were given privileges such as having more than one wife.
The sons of the nobility had to earn the right to take over their father’s position. To earn this position, they spent four years studying at the Yachahuasi or the House of Learning, and college in Cuzco. If they did well enough in their studies and passed their trials, then they were awarded a llauto, a narrow headband with two feathers and a silver disk attached. The size of the silver disk showed if the person was lower or higher nobility. They also got their ears pierced and wore big hoops and disks of gold, silver, or wood. These earrings were so heavy that their earlobes would be stretched until sometimes they touched the noble’s shoulders.
A commoner or a yanca aylla could become a noble if he was chose to fill a spot in the Inca government. He would also have to complete his four years at the Yachahuasi and earn his llauto.