Conquest and Religion
lThe Inca had other reasons for expansion besides the desire
for economic gain and political power.
lThey adopted from Chimor the practice of "split inheritance":
all of a ruler’s political power went to the successor, while all
wealth and land passed to male descendants for the eternal
support of the cult of the dead ruler's mummy.
lThe system created a justification for endless expansion.
lInca political and social life was infused with
religious meaning.
lThe sun was the highest deity; the ruler (Inca) was the
god’s representative on earth.
