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TheSapa Inca (fromQuechuasapa inka;lit. 'the only emperor') was themonarch of theInca Empire (Tawantinsuyu "the region of the four [provinces]"), as well as ruler of the earlierKingdom of Cuzco and the laterNeo-Inca State. While the origins of the position are mythical and originate from the legendary foundation of the city ofCuzco, it seems to have come into being historically around 1100 AD. Although the Inca believed the sapa Inca to be the son ofInti (the Sun god) and often referred to him asInti churi "solar son" orIntip churin "son of the Sun", the position eventually becamehereditary, withson succeeding father.[1][2][3] The principal wife of the Inca was known as thecoya orquya.[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 titlecapac orqhapaq (roughly translated as "king").[4][5]Inca Roca, the sixth Inca monarch, was evidently the first to bear the titlesapa Inca ("emperor") officially.[6]
There were two knowndynasties, led by the Hurin and Hananmoieties respectively.[7] The latter was in power at the time ofSpanish conquest. The last effective Sapa Inca of Inca Empire wasAtahualpa, who was executed byFrancisco Pizarro and hisconquistadors in 1533, but several successors later claimed the title.[8]
Other terms forsapa Inca includeapu ("lord"),qhapaqInka ("mighty Inca") or simplysapa ("the only one").
Chronicles identify the Inca as the highest ruler equivalent to European kings of the Middle Ages. However, the original access to that position was not linked to the inheritance of the eldest son, as is for a monarchy, but to the perceived selection of the gods by means of rigorous challenges, to which the physical and moral aptitudes of the pretender were tested.[2] These trials were accompanied by a complex spiritual ritual through which the Sun god, Inti nominated the one who should assume the Inca position.[2] Eventually, with the passage of time, Incas named their favorite son as co-governor with the intention of securing his succession,[9] for example, Huiracocha Inca associated Inca Urco to the throne.[10] The coya, or sapa Inca's primary wife, had significant influence upon making this decision of which son is apt to succeed his father.[3][11]
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The Sapa Inca was the absolute ruler of the empire and accumulated in his power the political, social, military, and economic direction of the state.[12][3] He ordered and directed the construction of great engineering works, such asSacsayhuamán, a fortress that took 50 years to complete;[13] or the urban plan of the cities.[14] However, among their most notable works, was the network of roads that crossed the entire empire and allowed a rapid journey for the administrators, messengers, and armies[15] provided with hanging bridges andtambos.[16] They made sure to always be supplied and well cared for,[17] as is reflected in the construction of storehouses scattered throughout the empire and vast food and resource redistribution systems.[3][11] The commander and chief of the standing army founded military colonies to expand the culture and control, while simultaneously ensuring the preservation of that network.[18][3]
At the religious level, they were symbolic of the sun and promoted the worship of Inti, who was regarded as their ancestral father,[19] and organized the calendar.[20] At the political level, they sent inspectors to oversee the loyalty and efficiency of civil servants and collect tribute from the subjugated peoples.[21] The emperors promoted a unified and decentralized government in which Cuzco acted as the articulating axis of the different regions orsuyu.[22] They appointed highly trusted governors.[23] At the economic level, they decided how much each province should pay according to its resources.[24] They knew how to win over thekuraka to ensure control of the communities. These were the intermediaries through whom they collected taxes.[25][11]
Traditionally, every time an emperor died or resigned, his successor was disinherited from his father's inheritance and formed his own lineage royal clan orpanaka, his father's lands, houses and servants were passed to his other children remaining on the previous panaka. The new Sapa Inca had to obtain land and spoils to bequeath to his own descendants.[26] Each time they subdued a people, they demanded that the defeated leader surrender part of their land to continue in command, and whose people pay tribute in the form of labor (mit'a) and taxes.[27][11]
The Sapa Inca also played a major role in caring for the poor and hungry, hence his other titlehuacchacoya orwaqcha khuyaq "lover and benefactor of the poor".[3] The Sapa was responsible for organizing food redistribution in times of environmental disaster, allocated work via state-sponsored projects, and most notably promoted major state-sponsored religious feasts[3] that followed each successful harvest season.[11]
The Inca was divinized both in their actions and their emblems. In public he carried thetopayauri ("scepter"),ushno (golden throne),suntur páucar (feathered pike), and themascapaicha (royal insignia) commonly carried in allauto (headband), otherwise, themascapaicha could also be carried on anamachana chuku (military helmet).[12] In religious ceremonies he was accompanied by the sacred white flame, the napa, covered with a red blanket and adorned with gold earrings.[28] With textiles representing a form of status and wealth, it has been speculated that the Sapa Inca never wore the same clothes twice.[11] The community even revered the Sapa after his death, mummifying him and frequently visiting his tomb to "consult" him on pressing affairs.[3]
Little is known of the rulers of the first dynasty of Sapa Incas. Evidently, they were affiliated with the Hurin moiety and their rule did not extend beyond theKingdom of Cusco. Their origins are tied to the mythical establishment ofCusco and are shrouded in the laterfoundation myth. The dynasty was supposedly founded byManco Cápac, who is considered the son of theSun godInti inInca mythology.[29]
| Title | Sapa Inca | Picture | Birth | Queen | Death |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inca of Cusco | Manco Capac (Manqu Qhapaq) c. 1200–1230 |  | Considered the son of the sun godInti | Mama Ocllo (Mama Uqllu) | c. 1230 |
| Sinchi Roca (Sinchi Ruq'a) c. 1230–1260 |  | Son ofManco Cápac | Mama Cora (Mama Qura) | c. 1260 | |
| Lloque Yupanqui (Lluq'i Yupanki) c. 1260–1290 |  | Son ofSinchi Roca | Mama Cahua (Mama Qawa) | c. 1290 | |
| Mayta Capac (Mayta Qhapaq) c. 1290–1320 |  | Son ofLloque Yupanqui | Mama Takukaray | c. 1320 | |
| Capac Yupanqui (Qhapaq Yupanki) c. 1320–1350 | .jpg) | Son ofMayta Cápac | Mama Chimpu Qurihillpay | c. 1350 |
As a rough guide to the later reputation of the early Sapa Incas, in later yearscapac meant warlord andsinchi meant leader.
The second dynasty was affiliated with the Hanan moiety and was founded underInca Roca, the son of the last Hurin Sapa Inca,Cápac Yupanqui. After Cápac Yupanqui's death, another of his sons, Inca Roca's half-brotherQuispe Yupanqui, was intended to succeed him. However, the Hanan revolted and installed Inca Roca instead.[2]
| Title | Sapa Inca | Picture | Birth | Queen | Death |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inca of Cusco | Inca Roca (Inka Ruqa) c. 1350–1380 |  | Son ofCápac Yupanqui | Mama Mikay | c. 1380 |
| Yahuar Huacac (Yawar Waqaq) c. 1380–1410 |  | Son ofInca Roca | Mama Chikya | c. 1410 | |
| Viracocha (Wiraqucha Inka) c. 1410–1438 |  | Son ofYáhuar Huácac | Mama Runtu Quya | 1438 | |
| Pachacuti (Pachakuti) 1438–1471 |  | Son ofViracocha | Mama Anawarkhi | 1471 | |
| Topa Inca Yupanqui (Tupa Inka Yupanki) 1471–1493 |  | Son ofPachacuti | Mama Ocllo Coya (Mama Uqllu Quya) | 1493 | |
| Huayna Capac (Wayna Qhapaq) 1493–1527 |  | Son ofTúpac Inca Yupanqui | Cusirimay (Kusi Rimay) Rahua Ocllo (Rawa Uqllu) | 1527 | |
| Huascar (Waskhar) 1527–1532 |  | Son ofHuayna Capac | Chuqui Huipa | 1533 Killed byAtahualpa's agents. | |
| Atahualpa (Ataw Wallpa) 1532–1533 |  | Son ofHuayna Capac | Asarpay (Asarpay) | 26 July 1533 Killed by theconquistadors. |
Ninan Cuyochi, who was Inca for only a few days in 1527, is sometimes left off the list of Sapa Incas because news of his death fromsmallpox arrived in Cusco very shortly after he was declared Sapa Inca. He had witnessed the death of his father Huayna Cápac. The death of Ninan, the presumed heir, led to theInca Civil War between Huáscar and Atahualpa, a weakness that the conquistadors exploited when theyconquered the Inca Empire.[11]
| Title | Sapa Inca | Picture | Birth | Death | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inca of Incas | Túpac Huallpa (Tupa Wallpa) 1533 | Son ofHuayna Capac | 1533 | Installed byFrancisco Pizarro. | |
| Manco Inca Yupanqui (Manqu Inka Yupanki) 1533–1544 |  | Son ofHuayna Capac | 1544 | Installed byFrancisco Pizarro. Led a revolt against theSpanish in 1536; after his defeat, established theNeo-Inca State inVilcabamba before being killed byAlmagristas. | |
| Paullu Inca (Pawllu Inka) 1536–1549 |  | Son ofHuayna Capac | 1549 | Installed by the Spanish after Manco Inca rebelled; ruled in Cuzco. | |
| Inca of Vilcabamba | Sayri Túpac (Sayri Tupa) 1544–1560 |  | Son ofManco Inca Yupanqui | 1560 | Ruled in Vilcabamba. |
| Titu Cusi (T'itu Kusi) 1563–1571 |  | Son ofManco Inca Yupanqui | 1571 | Ruled in Vilcabamba. | |
| Túpac Amaru (Tupa Amaru) 1571–1572 |  | Son ofManco Inca Yupanqui | 24 September 1572 Executed by the Spanish | Ruled in Vilcabamba. The last Sapa Inca. |
This last Sapa Inca must not be confused withTúpac Amaru II, who was leader of an18th-century Peruvian uprising.
| DYNASTY OF THE Sapa Inca |  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First Dynasty | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | Manco Cápac 1stSapa Inca ofCusco (c. 1200–1230) | Mama Uqllu | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sinchi Roca 2ndSapa Inca ofCusco (c. 1230–1260) | Mama Qura | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lloque Yupanqui 3rdSapa Inca ofCusco (c. 1260–1290) | Mama Qawa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mayta Cápac 4thSapa Inca ofCusco (c. 1290–1320) | Mama Takukaray | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cunti Mayta high priest | | Cápac Yupanqui 5thSapa Inca ofCusco (c. 1320–1350) | Mama Chimpu Qurihillpay | Cusi Chimbo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quispe Yupanqui heir apparent to 1350 | | Inca Roca 6thSapa Inca ofCusco (c. 1350 – c. 1380) younger son of Cápac Yupanqui chosen Sapa Inca when the Hanan moiety rebelled against the Hurin moiety | Mama Mikay | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Second Dynasty | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Apu Mayta a nephew & great warrior | | Yáhuar Huácac 7thSapa Inca ofCusco (c. 1380 – c. 1410) | Mama Chikya | Inca Paucar | Huaman Taysi Inca | Vicaquirau Inca a great warrior | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Viracocha 8thSapa Inca ofCusco (c. 1410–1438) | Mama Runtucaya | Ccuri-chulpa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inca Rocca heir apparent | Tupac Yupanqui | | Cusi Inca Yupanqui Pachacuti 9thSapa Inca ofCusco 1st Emperor ofInca Empire (1438–1471) | Mama Anahuarqui | Ccapac Yupanqui | Inca Urco | Inca Socso | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tupac Ayar Manco | Apu Paucar | | Tupac Inca Yupanqui 10thSapa Inca ofCusco 2nd Emperor ofInca Empire (c. 1441 – c. 1493) | Mama Ocllo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| QueenKusi Rimay | | Titu Cusi Hualpa Huayna Capac 11thSapa Inca ofCusco 3rd Emperor ofInca Empire (c.1468–1524, probably of smallpox) | Rahua Ocllo | Auqui Tupac Inca d. 1524 w/his brother and nephew, prob. of smallpox | 90 illegitimate sons and daughters, incl. Ccapac Huari, who tried to succeed his father | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ninan Cuyochi Crown Prince (1490–1527) d. w/his father and uncle, probably of smallpox | | Thupaq Kusi Wallpa Huáscar (Waskar) 12thSapa Inca ofCusco 4th Emperor ofInca Empire (1491–1532) | Chuqui Huipa | | Atahualpa 13thSapa Inca ofCusco 5th Emperor ofInca Empire (c. 1502 – 26 July 1533) | Coya Asarpay (died 1533) | Thupaq Wallpa 14thSapa Inca ofCusco 6th Emperor ofInca Empire (installed by Pizarro 1533) | Manco Inca Yupanqui 15thSapa Inca ofCusco 7th Emperor ofInca Empire 1st Ruler ofNeo-Inca State (1533 – revolted 1536 – 1544) | Paullu Inca 16thSapa Inca ofCusco 8th Emperor ofInca Empire (installed by Pizarro 1536–1549) | Atoc, Konono, Wanka Auqui, Kizu Yupanqui, Tito Atauchi, Waman Wallpa, Kusi Wallpa, Tilka Yupanqu, & + | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sayri Túpac 17thSapa Inca 2nd Ruler ofNeo-Inca State (c. 1535–1561) | Titu Cusi 18thSapa Inca 2nd Ruler ofNeo-Inca State (1529–1571) | Túpac Amaru 19th & lastSapa Inca 3rd Ruler ofNeo-Inca State (1545 – 24 September 1572) | descendants, incl son Carlos Inca, his son Melchor Carlos Inca, and his son Juan Melchor Carlos Inca | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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.
Kings are identified by the Inca wordqhapaq, "king," written ascapac in Spanish texts.
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.
