_How the Incas employed councillors and executors of justice; and of
their method of reckoning time._
As Cuzco was the principal city in all Peru, where the kings resided
during the greater part of their time, many of the chief people of the
empire lived there also, whose knowledge and ability fitted them for
royal councillors. All affirm that, before any measure of importance was
decided upon, these councillors were consulted. The most trustworthy
travelled much, in all parts, inspecting the roads, superintending the
government of the city, seeing that no offences were overlooked, and
that culprits were punished. The Incas understood so well the
administration of justice that no one ventured to commit an offence.
This is to be understood with regard to such crimes as robbery, rape, or
conspiracy. But many provinces carried on wars, the one with the other,
and the Incas were not always able to prevent them.
Justice was executed at the river which flows near Cuzco, on those who
were taken there, or who were brought as prisoners from other parts.
Here their heads were cut off, or death was inflicted in other ways.
Mutinies and conspiracies were punished more severely than other crimes.
Thieves, and those who were convicted as such, were also severely
punished, and their women and children were looked upon as degraded.
In observing natural things these Indians were much advanced, as well
the movements of the sun as of the moon. Some of them said that there
were four great heavens, and all affirm that the seat and residence of
the great God, the Creator of the world, is in the heaven. I often asked
them if they understood that the world would some day come to an end,
but at this they laughed. For they understand little on this subject;
and if they know anything, it is what God permits the devil to tell
them. They call the whole world _pacha_, understanding the movements of
the sun, and the increasing and waning of the moon. They count the year
by the moon, and call it _huata_, consisting of twelve moons. They had
small towers, many of them near Cuzco, but now in a ruined state, and by
the shadow which the sun threw from them they calculated the time of
sowing and other matters.[139] These Indians watched the heavens and the
signs very constantly, which made them such great soothsayers. When the
stars fall, great is the cry that they make, and the murmurings between
one and another.