the inca army
The Inca Army was a multi-ethnic army charged with defending the sovereignty of the Incan Empire, expanding its borders, and putting down rebellions. Often it was also used for political interests, such as executions or coups.
As the Incan Empire greatly grew in size and population, the army did the same. At the height of the empire's splendor (under the reigns of Tupac Yupanqui and Huayna Capac), the army grew to approximately 200,000 men.
The militaristic nature of the Incan monarchy caused great emphasis to be placed on the army and the position of the common soldier. The soldiers were given food, clothing, and state aid, so to be a permanent warrior was not a bad position and even occupied its own space in the political and social pyramid.
Peaceful conquest was possible when a curaca agreed to recognize the Sapa Inca as their emperor in return for a number of benefits. These benefits could include gifts, investment in public works, recognition at their investiture, interchange of women to establish family ties etc. Whether submission was due to fear of the Inca army or genuine friendship the curaca became a beneficiary of the offered gifts, but he also became subject to Inca demands: his lands had to be handed over to the estate, he had to supply labour and soldiers etc. It was a conquest through reciprocity.
Violent conquest would occur if a tribe was too proud or warlike to accept the Sapa Inca as their emperor. This generally resulted in a bloody war and subsequent Inca victory. The conquered tribe would receive reprisals according to the length of the war. The defeated leader would be executed and, depending on the degree of their rebellion, the subjects would either be moved to a distant place or, in extreme cases, totally annihilated as a punishment to avoid future uprisings.
As the Incan Empire greatly grew in size and population, the army did the same. At the height of the empire's splendor (under the reigns of Tupac Yupanqui and Huayna Capac), the army grew to approximately 200,000 men.
The militaristic nature of the Incan monarchy caused great emphasis to be placed on the army and the position of the common soldier. The soldiers were given food, clothing, and state aid, so to be a permanent warrior was not a bad position and even occupied its own space in the political and social pyramid.
Peaceful conquest was possible when a curaca agreed to recognize the Sapa Inca as their emperor in return for a number of benefits. These benefits could include gifts, investment in public works, recognition at their investiture, interchange of women to establish family ties etc. Whether submission was due to fear of the Inca army or genuine friendship the curaca became a beneficiary of the offered gifts, but he also became subject to Inca demands: his lands had to be handed over to the estate, he had to supply labour and soldiers etc. It was a conquest through reciprocity.
Violent conquest would occur if a tribe was too proud or warlike to accept the Sapa Inca as their emperor. This generally resulted in a bloody war and subsequent Inca victory. The conquered tribe would receive reprisals according to the length of the war. The defeated leader would be executed and, depending on the degree of their rebellion, the subjects would either be moved to a distant place or, in extreme cases, totally annihilated as a punishment to avoid future uprisings.