In which it is stated who were the Kings Yncas, and how they ruled over
Peru.
As I shall often have to treat of the Yncas, and give an account of many
of their buildings, and of other notable things, it appears to me to be
appropriate that I should say something concerning them in this place,
that readers may know who these Yncas were, and not misunderstand their
importance, or fall into mistakes about them. I, however, have written a
special book upon them and their deeds, which is very copious.
From the accounts which the Indians of Cuzco have given us, we gather
that, in ancient times, there were great disorders in all the provinces
of that kingdom which we now call Peru, and that the natives were so
savage and stupid as to be beyond belief; for they say that these early
tribes were bestial, and that many ate human flesh, others taking their
mothers and daughters for their wives. Besides all this, they committed
other greater sins, having much intercourse with the devil, whom they
all served and held in high estimation. They had their castles and forts
in the mountain fastnesses, and, on very slight provocation, they made
war upon each other, killing and taking prisoners without mercy.
Notwithstanding that they committed all these crimes and walked in
wickedness, they are said to have been given to religion, which is the
reason why, in many parts of this kingdom, great temples have been found
where they prayed to, adored, and had interviews with the devil, making
great sacrifices before their idols. The people of this kingdom lived in
this manner, and great tyrants rose up in the provinces of Collas, in
the valleys of the Yuncas, and in other parts, who made fierce wars upon
each other, and committed many robberies and murders; insomuch that
they caused great calamities, and many castles were destroyed, while the
devil, the enemy of human nature, rejoiced that so many souls should be
lost.
While all the provinces of Peru were in this state, two brothers rose
up, the name of one of whom was Manco Ccapac. The Indians relate great
marvels and very pleasant fables respecting these men, which may be read
by any one who pleases, when the book written by me on the subject sees
the light. This Manco Ccapac founded the city of Cuzco, and established
laws for the use of the people. He and his descendants were called
Yncas, a word which signifies lords or kings. They conquered and
dominated over all the country, from Pasto to Chile, and their banners
were carried to the south as far as the river Maule, and north to the
Ancasmayu. These rivers were the boundaries of the empire of these
Yncas, which was so great, that from one end to the other is a distance
of one thousand three hundred leagues. The Yncas built great fortresses,
and in every province they had their captains and governors. They
performed such great deeds, and ruled with such wisdom, that few in the
world ever excelled them. They were very intelligent and learned without
having letters, which had not been invented in these Indies. They
introduced good customs into all the conquered provinces, and gave
orders that the people should wear _usutas_ in the place of leathern
sandals. They thought much of the immortality of the soul, and of other
secrets of nature. They believed that there was a Creator of all things,
and they held the sun to be a god, to whom they built great temples;
but, deceived by the devil, they worshipped among trees and on stones,
like heathens. In the principal temples they kept a great quantity of
very beautiful virgins, just as was done in the Temple of Vesta, at
Rome, and the rules concerning them were almost the same. They chose the
bravest and most faithful captains they could find to command their
armies. They were very astute and artful in turning enemies into
friends without having resort to war, but they chastised rebels with
severity and cruelty. But, as I have already said, I have a book
concerning the Yncas, so that what I have now written will suffice to
enable those who may read it to understand who these Kings were, and
their great power, and I will therefore return to my road.