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Viracocha

Yahuar Huacac Inca was the seventh king of the Inca, and by all accounts he was a coward. Yahuar had not even tried to conquer new lands. However, his son Viracocha would quickly make up for his father's lack of courage. Viracocha was so warlike that he was always in trouble with his father, and even while he was in exile he spoke poorly of him. Viracocha liked to point out that his father had never done anything memorable, and that people shouldn't regret his father's failings, because he was going to conquer half of the world, himself.


When Viracocha took power, his valor was already respected by everyone. His father's rule had been weak and many of the surrounding towns no longer believed that they were under the vassalage of the Incas. Also, Viracocha found that the men in the military lacked self esteem. Under his fathers rule there wasn't much for them to do.


In the past, the pillaging of towns had been their main source of financial reward. However, this source of income had dried up from the lack of skirmishes. After he became king, one of the first things that Viracocha did was to offer great honors and awards to those who had fought for the Inca. Next, not long after being in power, he started raising an army.

To his delight, Viracocha found that his subjects were happy to take up arms and follow him on his new conquests. Viracocha waged war on his neighbors that he believed hadn't shown his father respect. He started by attacking the Valley of Calca, and its surrounding villages. He attacked them with cruelty, choosing to use them as an example.


Soon after this battle, the advisers to Viracocha told him that he needed to get married so that he could leave heirs to his throne. They looked all over for a new coya or queen. Then finally they found the daughter of the lord of Anta. She was called Mama Roncay, and she was carried in a litter too the court through floral arches covered in fine cloth. The marriage did not slow Viracocha. He was no sooner married when he declared war on the provinces of Canas and Canches. After conquering them, Viracocha built a fine temple in Canas near the town of Cacha. Before long, the Inca became rich under him. No one wanted to challenge the authority of the Inca. Viracocha was too powerful. Most just subjugated willingly. They had no choice but to start paying tribute. Under his leadership the Inca became wealthy.

Ruins of the Temple of Viracocha, Cacha, Peru

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