The Inca Empire was located in the Andes mountain range and coastal deserts that run the length of the west coast of South America. The Incas confined themselves to the highlands and coastal areas.
Due to the lack of writing, information regarding the Incas is limited, and it mostly comes from the impressions of the Spanish conquerors. However, unlike most Andean civilizations, Incas were able to keep accounts and records on knotted and colored cords.
Politically, it was a four part togetherness that united the empire. This structure, Tawantinsuyu, meaning "four parts together" or "Land of the Four Quarters," described the imperial state ruled by an absolute. States were internally specialized organizations, having three or more decision-making levels within the centralized administrative hierarchy. Cuzco, the capital, was at the center.
Artistically, the Inca Empire expressed a time of collectivity and unity. Unlike most cultures, the Incas encouraged regional diversity among their subjects, especially through artistic expression. Deities and the general portrayal of them reveals similarity in the art produced in this particular civilization, featuring both real and supernatural imagery that focuses on roles rather than individuals. Their ideals strayed from individual and embraced the idea of togetherness.
The empire's unity was not imposed uniformity, but, instead, it was an acceptance of differences. The unity was also established by the controlled movements, regulated distribution of goods and wealth within the imperial economy, and imposed an all-inclusive religious conformity.
The subjects did not doubt the imperial rule, and resistance was unthinkable.
"The Sun was so venerated throughout this entire Inca Empire that I doubt that there has ever been any place where idolatry was so widespread, respected, and served" - Father Bernabe Cobo
Deities
Deities were an important aspect of the Inca Empire. They typically fall under two categories: works of nature, unaltered by humans OR objects and idols that did not represent anything other than the material from which they were produced. Inti, the Sun god, served as the most important. Numerous temples were dedicated to the all important Sun god. Other worship included the Moon and Star deities as well as the worship of Thunder, the Sea, and the Earth.
Prayer to Inti:
"O sun, my father, who said "let there be Cuzco!" and by your will it was founded and it is preserved with such grandeur! Let these sons of yours, the Incas, be conquerors and despoilers of all banking. We adore you and offer this sacrifice to you so that you will grant us what we beg of you. Let them be prosperous and make them happy, and do not allow them to be conquered by anyone, but let them always be conquerors since you made them for that purpose"