The Empire at Its Greatest

Opposite

Inca Walls, Modem Street

Pedestrians walk down Calle Hatunrumiyoc, a street in modern Cuzco. The street is bordered by stone walls from an Inca palace.

LEGEND AND MYSTERY SHROUDS THE HISTORY OF EVEN the greatest of the Inca rulers. The story of how Cusi Yupanqui became the military leader of the Inca army, defeated the Chanca, and claimed the title sapa inca actually began with a vision. According to the writings of Father Bernabe Cobo, the sun god Inti spoke to young Cusi Yupanqui, saying, “Come here, my child, have no fear, for I am your father the sun. I know that you will subjugate many nations and take great care to honor me and remember me in your sacrifices.” The sun god presented images of the lands and people Cusi Yupanqui would conquer. Cusi Yupanqui lived in a time and culture where such visions were taken seriously, and events unfolded that granted him an opportunity to turn his vision into reality.

According to the cronistas, the legend began as follows: In 1438, Cuzco came under attack from the warlike Chancas, a violent, belligerent culture much feared by the Incas. To escape capture and possible torture, the sapa inca Huiracocha and his heir apparent, Urco Inca, fled to a stronghold in the Andes. This left younger son Cusi Yupanqui to defend the empire.

At this point, fact and fiction mingle. As the Chancas prepared their attack, Cusi Yupanqui dressed in the skins of a puma (an animal the Inca culture revered for its strength and cunning). Cusi Yupanqui led his soldiers against the Chanca and, as the legend goes, the sun god Inti caused the stones on the battlefield to rise as warriors and assist Cusi Yupanqui in defeating the dreaded Chancas.

The young warrior saved Cuzco from defeat, then forced his father to abdicate. After casting aside his cowardly brother, Cusi Yupanqui declared himself sapa inca. From that time on he was called Pachacuti-the earthshaker.