Los Incas

Brazil

Perú

México

España

Most South American architecture is still in traditional Inca style

Cars still drive over old Inca roads and bridges

Most South Americans still practice the Inca religion

Millions of people still speak the Quechua language

Offer them power and riches if they joined peacefully

Invade them immediately with their large army

Assassinate their chief

Kidnap the chief's children

It was the largest empire in the Western Hemisphere

Like the Roman Empire, it was ruled by an emperor

Its culture was more glorious than Rome's

It ended violently at the hands of Spanish conquistadors

They made it easier for messengers, soldiers, and tradesmen to move across large areas

They served as examples of the empire's wealth, inspiring awe in newly conquered people

Their construction provided important jobs for the empire's citizens

They allowed horses to easily cross the Andes Mountains for the first time

It featured perfectly spherical domes

The temples were taller than the Egyptian pyramids

Most structures were build from petrified wood

The stones were cut so they fit together perfectly

By raising and slaughtering cattle

By performing religious ceremonies

By storing large quantities of surplus food

By saving water in enormous stone tanks

The Incas paid taxes in labor; we pay taxes with money

The Inca empire's tax system changed every few years; ours is constant

The Incas paid taxes in cloth and grain; we pay taxes with money

The Inca empire had no tax system, we do

They were the Inca's main source of food

The Incas worshipped them as gods

The Incas rode on their backs

The Incas used them to transport goods through their empire

Pizarro's army was bigger than the Inca army

Pizarro's army had more weapons than the Inca army

Pizarro's army had deadlier weapons than the Inca army

Pizarro's army had fewer horses than the Inca army