Viracocha (Inca)
Encyclopedia
Viracocha was the eighth Sapa Inca of the Kingdom of Cusco
(beginning around 1410) and the third of the Hanan dynasty. His father was Yáhuar Huácac
, and his son was Pachacuti. His original name was Hatun Tupaq or Ripaq; he was named after the god Viracocha
after having visions of the god. His wife's name was Mama Runu.
He was involved in the final struggle between the Incas and the Chancas (of modern-day Apurímac
, west of Cuzco). The chroniclers differ on whether he was a hero or a coward. According to some, such as Inca Garcilaso de la Vega
, his father Yáhuar Huácac abandoned the capital under the attack of the Chancas; Viracocha defeated the enemy and saved the city. Others, such as Pedro Cieza de León and Juan de Betanzos, claim that Viracocha abandoned the city and that his son Pachacuti saved it.
One chronicler, Sarmiento de Gamboa, states that Viracocha was the first Incan to rule the territories he conquered, while his predecessors merely raid
ed and looted
them.
Kingdom of Cusco
The Kingdom of Cusco was a small kingdom in the Andes that began as a small city-state founded by the Incas around the 12th century...
(beginning around 1410) and the third of the Hanan dynasty. His father was Yáhuar Huácac
Yahuar Huacac
Yáhuar Huácac was the seventh Sapa Inca of the Kingdom of Cusco and the second of the Hanan dynasty. His wife's name was Mama Chikya o;'r Chu-Ya...
, and his son was Pachacuti. His original name was Hatun Tupaq or Ripaq; he was named after the god Viracocha
Viracocha
Viracocha is the great creator god in the pre-Inca and Inca mythology in the Andes region of South America. Full name and some spelling alternatives are Apu Qun Tiqsi Wiraqutra and Con-Tici Viracocha...
after having visions of the god. His wife's name was Mama Runu.
He was involved in the final struggle between the Incas and the Chancas (of modern-day Apurímac
Apurímac Region
Apurímac is a region in southern-central Peru. It is bordered on the east by the Cusco Region, on the west by the Ayacucho Region, and on the south by the Arequipa and Ayacucho regions...
, west of Cuzco). The chroniclers differ on whether he was a hero or a coward. According to some, such as Inca Garcilaso de la Vega
Inca Garcilaso de la Vega
Garcilaso de la Vega , born Gómez Suárez de Figueroa, was a historian and writer from the Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru. The son of a Spanish conquistador and an Inca noblewoman, he is recognized primarily for his contributions to Inca history, culture, and society...
, his father Yáhuar Huácac abandoned the capital under the attack of the Chancas; Viracocha defeated the enemy and saved the city. Others, such as Pedro Cieza de León and Juan de Betanzos, claim that Viracocha abandoned the city and that his son Pachacuti saved it.
One chronicler, Sarmiento de Gamboa, states that Viracocha was the first Incan to rule the territories he conquered, while his predecessors merely raid
Raid (military)
Raid, also known as depredation, is a military tactic or operational warfare mission which has a specific purpose and is not normally intended to capture and hold terrain, but instead finish with the raiding force quickly retreating to a previous defended position prior to the enemy forces being...
ed and looted
Looting
Looting —also referred to as sacking, plundering, despoiling, despoliation, and pillaging—is the indiscriminate taking of goods by force as part of a military or political victory, or during a catastrophe, such as during war, natural disaster, or rioting...
them.