View source for Sapa Inca

{{short description|Emperor of the Inca Empire}}
{{more citations needed|date=September 2014}}
[[File:Aguas Calientes.JPG|thumb|Statue of the Sapa Inca [[Pachacuti]] wearing the [[Mascapaicha]] (imperial crown), in the main square of [[Aguas Calientes, Peru|Aguas Calientes]], [[Peru]]]]

The '''Sapa Inca''' (from {{langx|qu|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 Cusco]] and the later [[Neo-Inca State]] at [[Vilcabamba, Peru|Vilcabamba]]. While the origins of the position are mythical and originate from the [[Origin myth|legendary foundation]] of the city of [[Cusco]], it seems to have come into being historically around AD 1100. Although the Inca believed the Sapa Inca to be the son of [[Inti]] (the [[Solar deity|Sun god]]) and often referred to him as ''Inti churi'' "solar son" or ''Intip churin''  "son of the Sun", the position eventually became [[Hereditary monarchy|hereditary]], with [[Primogeniture#Agnatic primogeniture|son succeeding father]].<ref>Wilfred Byford-Jones, ''Four Faces of Peru'', Roy Publishers, 1967, p. 17; p. 50.</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=First New Chronical and Good Government|last=Guaman Poma|first=Felipe|year=1615|location=Lima Peru}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.worldhistory.org/Inca_Government/|title=Inca Government|work=[[World History Encyclopedia]]|access-date=2019-05-01|language=en}}</ref> The principal wife of the Inca was known as the [[Qoya|coya]] or ''quya''.<ref name=":2" /> The Sapa Inca was at the top of the social hierarchy, and played a dominant role in the political and spiritual realm.<ref name=":2" />

[[Manco Capac]], the first Inca monarch, adopted the title ''capac'' or ''qhapaq'' (roughly translated as "[[king]]").<ref>{{Cite book |last=McEwan |first=Gordon Francis |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K6jOEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA57 |title=The Incas: New Perspectives |date=2006-01-30 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing USA |isbn=978-1-85109-579-7 |pages=57 |language=en|quote=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.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Rowe |first1=Ann Pollard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kb141n8C8LcC&pg=PA70 |title=Costume and History in Highland Ecuador |last2=Meisch |first2=Lynn A. |date=2012-10-03 |publisher=University of Texas Press |isbn=978-0-292-74985-6 |pages=70 |quote=Kings are identified by the Inca word ''qhapaq'', "king," written as ''capac'' in Spanish texts.|language=en}}</ref> [[Inca Roca]], the sixth Inca monarch, was evidently the first to bear the title ''sapa Inca'' ("emperor") officially.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Hyams |first1=Edward |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mlZKAAAAYAAJ&q=%22The+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.%22 |title=The Last of the Incas: The Rise and Fall of an American Empire |last2=Ordish |first2=George |date=1990 |publisher=Dorset Press |isbn=978-0-88029-595-6 |language=en|pages=46|quote=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.
}}</ref>

There were two known [[Dynasty|dynasties]], led by the Hurin and Hanan [[moiety (kinship)|moieties]] respectively.<ref name="GamboaOviedo1907">{{cite book|author1=Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa|author2=Gabriel de Oviedo|title=History of the Incas|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.172686|year=1907|publisher=Hakluyt Society|page=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.172686/page/n109 72]}}</ref> The latter was in power at the time of [[Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire|Spanish conquest]]. The last effective Sapa Inca of Inca Empire was [[Atahualpa]], who was executed by [[Francisco Pizarro]] and his [[conquistador]]s in 1533, but several successors later claimed the title.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/incas/collier.htm|title=The Incas|last=Cova|first=Antonio de la|website=www.latinamericanstudies.org|access-date=2017-07-26}}</ref>

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

==Choosing the Inca==
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.<ref name=":1" /> These trials were accompanied by a complex spiritual ritual through which the Sun god, Inti nominated the one who should assume the Inca position.<ref name=":1" /> Eventually, with the passage of time, Incas named their favorite son as co-governor with the intention of securing his succession,<ref>Rostworowski, 1999: 53</ref> for example, Huiracocha Inca associated Inca Urco to the throne.<ref>Rostworowski, 2001: 124</ref> The coya, or sapa Inca's primary wife, had significant influence upon making this decision of which son is apt to succeed his father.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=The Course of Andean History|last=Henderson|first=Peter|publisher=University of New Mexico Press|year=2013|location=Albuquerque}}</ref>

==Functions==
[[File:Some Inca Tokapu (symbolic motifs)..jpg|thumb|[[Tocapu]] or symbolic motif thought by Victoria de La Jara to represent the meaning of Sapa Inca (first row, first from the left).]]
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.<ref name="Molestina, 1994: 26">Molestina, 1994: 26</ref><ref name=":2" /> He ordered and directed the construction of great engineering works, such as [[Sacsayhuamán]], a fortress that took 50 years to complete;<ref>Temoche, 2010: 227</ref> or the urban plan of the cities.<ref>Temoche, 2010: 31, 154, 225</ref> 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<ref>Temoche, 2010: 159</ref> provided with hanging bridges and [[Tambo (Incan structure)|tambo]]s.<ref>Temoche, 2010: 53, 111, 144</ref> They made sure to always be supplied and well cared for,<ref>Temoche, 2010: 145</ref> as is reflected in the construction of storehouses scattered throughout the empire and vast food and resource redistribution systems.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0" /> 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.<ref>Temoche, 2010: 71</ref><ref name=":2" />

At the religious level, they were symbolic of the sun and promoted the worship of Inti, who was regarded as their ancestral father,<ref>Temoche, 2010: 181</ref> and organized the calendar.<ref>Temoche, 2010: 179</ref> At the political level, they sent inspectors to oversee the loyalty and efficiency of civil servants and collect tribute from the subjugated peoples.<ref>Temoche, 2010: 144–145</ref> The emperors promoted a unified and decentralized government in which Cuzco acted as the articulating axis of the different regions or ''suyu''.<ref>Temoche, 2010: 157</ref> They appointed highly trusted governors.<ref>Temoche, 2010: 144</ref> At the economic level, they decided how much each province should pay according to its resources.<ref>Temoche, 2010: 143</ref> They knew how to win over the [[kuraka]] to ensure control of the communities. These were the intermediaries through whom they collected taxes.<ref>Temoche, 2010: 116</ref><ref name=":0" />

Traditionally, every time an emperor died or resigned, his successor was disinherited from his father's inheritance and formed his own lineage royal clan or [[Panakas|panaka]], 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.<ref>Bravo, 1985: 95; Temoche, 2010: 130</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite thesis|title=Avaliação da influência do choque térmico na aderência dos revestimentos de argamassa.|publisher=Universidade de Sao Paulo Sistema Integrado de Bibliotecas – SIBiUSP|first=Juan Francisco|last=Temoche Esquivel|year=2009 |doi=10.11606/t.3.2009.tde-03092009-162624|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

The Sapa Inca also played a major role in caring for the poor and hungry, hence his other title ''huacchacoya'' or ''waqcha khuyaq'' "lover and benefactor of the poor".<ref name=":2" /> 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<ref name=":2" /> that followed each successful harvest season.<ref name=":0" />

==Distinction symbols==
The Inca was divinized both in their actions and their emblems. In public he carried the ''topayauri'' ("scepter"), ''ushno'' (golden throne), ''suntur páucar'' (feathered pike), and the ''mascapaicha'' (royal insignia) commonly carried in a ''llauto'' (headband), otherwise, the ''mascapaicha'' could also be carried on an ''amachana chuku'' (military helmet).<ref name="Molestina, 1994: 26"/> In religious ceremonies he was accompanied by the sacred white flame, the napa, covered with a red blanket and adorned with gold earrings.<ref>Martinengui, 1980: 37</ref> With textiles representing a form of status and wealth, it has been speculated that the Sapa Inca never wore the same clothes twice.<ref name=":0" /> The community even revered the Sapa after his death, mummifying him and frequently visiting his tomb to "consult" him on pressing affairs.<ref name=":2" />

==Pre-Conquest Sapa Incas==

===First dynasty===
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 the [[Kingdom of Cusco]]. Their origins are tied to the mythical establishment of [[Cusco]] and are shrouded in the later [[Origin myth|foundation myth]]. The dynasty was supposedly founded by [[Manco Cápac]], who is considered the son of the [[Solar deity|Sun god]] [[Inti]] in [[Inca mythology]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ancientpages.com/2016/01/27/who-was-the-sapa-inca/|title=Who Was The Sapa Inca?|date=2016-01-27|website=Ancient Pages|access-date=2017-07-26}}</ref>

{| style="text-align:center; width:100%" class="wikitable"
! Title
! Sapa Inca !! width=8% | Picture !! Birth !! Queen !! width=30% | Death
|-
| rowspan="5" | '''Inca of Cusco'''
| '''[[Manco Cápac|Manco Capac]]'''<br>{{Small|(Manqu Qhapaq)}}<br>{{Circa|1200–1230}} || [[File:Ayarmanco1.JPG|120px]] || Considered the son of <br>the sun god [[Inti]] || [[Mama Uqllu|Mama Ocllo]]<br>{{Small|(Mama Uqllu)}} || {{Circa|1230}}
|-
| '''[[Sinchi Roca]]'''<br>{{Small|(Sinchi Ruq'a)}}<br>{{Circa|1230–1260}} || [[File:Sinchi-Roca, Inca II.jpeg|120px]] || Son of [[Manco Cápac]] || [[Mama Qura|Mama Cora]]<br>{{Small|(Mama Qura)}} || {{Circa|1260}}
|-
| '''[[Lloque Yupanqui]]'''<br>{{Small|(Lluq'i Yupanki)}}<br>{{Circa|1260–1290}} || [[File:Inca-Lloque-Yupanqui.jpg|120px]] || Son of [[Sinchi Roca]] || [[Mama Qawa|Mama Cahua]]<br>{{Small|(Mama Qawa)}} || {{Circa|1290}}
|-
| '''[[Mayta Cápac|Mayta Capac]]'''<br>{{Small|(Mayta Qhapaq)}}<br>{{Circa|1290–1320}} || [[File:Brooklyn Museum - Mayta Capac, Fourth Inca, 1 of 14 Portraits of Inca Kings - overall.jpg|120px]] || Son of [[Lloque Yupanqui]] || [[Mama Takukaray]] || {{Circa|1320}}
|-
| '''[[Cápac Yupanqui|Capac Yupanqui]]'''<br>{{Small|(Qhapaq Yupanki)}}<br>{{Circa|1320–1350}} || [[File:Cápac Yupanqui (cropped).jpg|120px]] || Son of [[Mayta Cápac]] || [[Mama Chimpu Qurihillpay]] || {{Circa|1350}}
|}

As a rough guide to the later reputation of the early Sapa Incas, in later years ''capac'' meant warlord and ''sinchi'' meant leader.

===Second dynasty===
The second dynasty was affiliated with the Hanan moiety and was founded under [[Inca Roca]], the son of the last Hurin Sapa Inca, [[Cápac Yupanqui]]. After Cápac Yupanqui's death, another of his sons, Inca Roca's half-brother [[Quispe Yupanqui]], was intended to succeed him. However, the Hanan revolted and installed Inca Roca instead.<ref name=":1" />

{| style="text-align:center; width:100%" class="wikitable"
! Title
! Sapa Inca !! width=8% | Picture !! Birth !! Queen !! width=30% | Death
|-
| rowspan="8" | '''Inca of Cusco'''
| '''[[Inca Roca]]'''<br>{{Small|(Inka Ruqa)}}<br>{{Circa|1350–1380}} || [[File:Brooklyn Museum - Inca Roca, Sixth Inca, 1 of 14 Portraits of Inca Kings - overall.jpg|120px]] || Son of [[Cápac Yupanqui]] || [[Mama Mikay]] || {{Circa|1380}}
|-
| '''[[Yawar Waqaq|Yahuar Huacac]]'''<br>{{Small|(Yawar Waqaq)}}<br>{{Circa|1380–1410}} || [[File:Brooklyn Museum - Yahuar Huacac Yupanqui, Seventh Inca, 1 of 14 Portraits of Inca Kings - overall.jpg|120px]] || Son of [[Inca Roca]] || [[Mama Chikya]] || {{Circa|1410}}
|-
| '''[[Viracocha Inca|Viracocha]]'''<br>{{Small|(Wiraqucha Inka)}}<br>{{Circa|1410–1438}} || [[File:Brooklyn Museum - Viracocha, Eighth Inca, 1 of 14 Portraits of Inca Kings - overall.jpg|120px]] || Son of [[Yáhuar Huácac]] || [[Mama Runtu Quya]] || 1438
|-
| '''[[Pachacuti]]'''<br>{{Small|(Pachakuti)}}<br>1438–1471 || [[File:PachacutecIXinca.jpg|120px]] || Son of [[Viracocha Inca|Viracocha]] || [[Mama Anawarkhi]] || 1471
|-
| '''[[Topa Inca Yupanqui]]'''<br>{{Small|(Tupa Inka Yupanki)}}<br>1471–1493 || [[File:Retrato de Túpac Yupanqui.jpg|120px]] || Son of [[Pachacuti]] || [[Mama Ocllo Coya]]<br>{{Small|(Mama Uqllu Quya)}} || 1493
|-
| '''[[Huayna Capac]]'''<br>{{Small|(Wayna Qhapaq)}}<br>1493–1527 || [[File:Retrato de Huayna Cápac.jpg|120px]] || Son of [[Túpac Inca Yupanqui]] || [[Coya Cusirimay|Cusirimay]]<br>{{Small|(Kusi Rimay)}}<hr>[[Rahua Ocllo]]<br>{{Small|(Rawa Uqllu)}} || 1527
|-
| '''[[Huáscar|Huascar]]'''<br>{{Small|(Waskhar)}}<br>1527–1532 || [[File:Waskhar portrait.jpg|120px]] || Son of [[Huayna Capac]] || [[Chuqui Huipa]] || 1533<br>Killed by [[Atahualpa]]'s agents. 
|-
| '''[[Atahualpa]]'''<br>{{Small|(Ataw Wallpa)}}<br>1532–1533 || [[File:Ataw Wallpa portrait.jpg|120px]] || Son of [[Huayna Capac]] || [[Coya Asarpay|Asarpay]]<br>{{Small|(Asarpay)}} || 26 July 1533<br>Killed by the [[conquistador]]s.
|}

[[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 from [[smallpox]] 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 the [[Inca Civil War]] between Huáscar and Atahualpa, a weakness that the conquistadors exploited when they [[Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire|conquered the Inca Empire]].<ref name=":0" />

==Post-Conquest Sapa Incas==
{| style="text-align:center; width:100%" class="wikitable"
! Title
! width=22% | Sapa Inca !! width=100px | Picture !! Birth !! Death !! Notes
|-
| rowspan="3" | '''Inca of Incas'''
| '''[[Túpac Huallpa]]'''<br>{{Small|(Tupa Wallpa)}}<br>1533 || || Son of [[Huayna Capac]] || 1533 || Installed by [[Francisco Pizarro]].
|-
| '''[[Manco Inca Yupanqui]]'''<br>{{Small|(Manqu Inka Yupanki)}}<br>1533–1544 || [[File:SAHUARAURA p108 MANCO INCA.jpg|120px]] || Son of [[Huayna Capac]] || 1544 || Installed by [[Francisco Pizarro]]. Led a revolt against the [[Spanish Empire|Spanish]] in 1536; after his defeat, established the [[Neo-Inca State]] in [[Vilcabamba, Peru|Vilcabamba]] before being killed by [[Diego de Almagro|Almagristas]].
|-
| '''[[Paullu Inca]]'''<br>{{Small|(Pawllu Inka)}}<br>1536–1549 || [[File:Paullu 1838.jpg|120px]] || Son of [[Huayna Capac]] || 1549 || Installed by the Spanish after Manco Inca rebelled; ruled in Cuzco.
|-
| rowspan="3" | '''Inca of Vilcabamba'''
| '''[[Sayri Túpac]]'''<br>{{Small|(Sayri Tupa)}}<br>1544–1560 || [[File:SAHUARAURA p115 - SAYRI TTUPAC.jpg|120px]] || Son of [[Manco Inca Yupanqui]] || 1560 || Ruled in Vilcabamba.
|-
| '''[[Titu Cusi]]'''<br>{{Small|(T'itu Kusi)}}<br>1563–1571 || [[File:SAHUARAURA p118 - TTUPAC AMARO.jpg|120px]] || Son of [[Manco Inca Yupanqui]] || 1571 || Ruled in Vilcabamba.
|-
| '''[[Túpac Amaru]]'''<br>{{Small|(Tupa Amaru)}}<br>1571–1572 || [[File:TupacamaruI.JPG|120px]] || Son of [[Manco Inca Yupanqui]] || 24 September 1572<br>Executed by the Spanish || Ruled in Vilcabamba. The last Sapa Inca.
|}

This last Sapa Inca must not be confused with [[Túpac Amaru II]], who was leader of an [[Rebellion of Túpac Amaru II|18th-century Peruvian uprising]].

===Family tree===
{{Sapa Inca Dynasty}}

==See also==
{{Commons category|Inca emperors}}
* [[Mallku]]
* [[Ñusta]]
* [[Lonko]]
* [[Toqui|Toki]]
* ''[[The Legend of the Last Inca]]''

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Sapa Incas}}
{{Inca Empire topics}}

[[Category:Deified male monarchs]]
[[Category:Heads of state]]
[[Category:Inca emperors| ]]
[[Category:Royal titles]]
[[Category:Former monarchies of South America]]
[[Category:Monarchs in South America]]
[[Category:12th-century establishments in the Inca civilization]]
[[Category:16th-century disestablishments in the Inca civilization]]