Rise of the Incan Empire

On the edge of Western South America, wedged between the Earth’s driest desert, largest rainforest, and second highest mountain range lay a sprawling empire. The Inca through ingenious engineering and strict central planning forged one of the world’s most unusual empires. The largest empire in the pre-Columbian Americas, without a written language, the wheel, or money and one of the only empires to stretch upwards rather than across. In this video, we will look at how the Inca rose to power from unknown origins and dominated their region.
The script was developed and the video was created by our good friend Cogito Check out his channel for more historical content: / @cogitoedu
Support us on Patreon: / kingsandgenerals or Paypal: paypal.me/kingsandgenerals
We are grateful to our patrons and sponsors, who made this video possible: docs.google.com/document/d/1z...
This video was narrated by Officially Devin ( / officiallydevin )
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Sources:
Terence D'Altroy - The Incas Gordon
F. McEwan - The Inca New Perspectives
Nigel Davies - The Inca
Kim MacQuarrie - The Last Days of the Inca
John Hemmings - The Conquest of the Incas
Production Music courtesy of Epidemic Sound: www.epidemicsound.com
Songs used by Derek and Brandon Fiechter ( / @derekbrandonfiechter )
Tribal Jungle Music - Inca Empire
Tribal Jungle Music - Inca King
Epic Jungle Music - Jaws of the Jaguar
Tribal Jungle Music - Macchu Picchu

[@KingsandGenerals]

As promised, we listened to your feedback, so, this video is: 1. Narrated by Devin 2. Has fewer jokes 3. Has a style closer to ours. Once again, give this video a chance, it is very good.

[@franciscovelasco5422]

I like the improvements.

[@archhangell]

Kings and Generals jokes were just fine.

[@sdhutusice6314]

Excellent choice. I think this style leaves people with more information in their heads than the other one.

[@eliparker7151]

I always appreciated the subtle jokes and easter eggs you put in these videos. Dan Quayle! Keep it up.

[@wax_simulacra8310]

Don’t understand the people I think that guy deserves a chance. The only problem for me was his accent or he speaks too fast but rather than that I enjoyed his part. People are too simple

[@juantamani9727]

As a Peruvian, I liked the way you have narrated this part of the history (and of course, the rest of the videos are great). I'm a follower of the channel since time ago. Greetings

[@skydiesay6019]

You know it’s a good day when just as you finish a brand new historia civilis video a kings and generals one is uploaded

[@chillz5004]

SkyDieSay Thanks for reminding me to watch historian civilis after this lol

[@chillz5004]

SkyDieSay Thanks for reminding me to watch historian civilis after this lol

[@skydiesay6019]

Chillz no prob ;)

[@StoimenovStudio]

That's just what I did :D

[@gianlucaborg195]

I know right? watching that now

[@guibaterasoad]

Kings and Generals' staff, I want to say this: I cannot stress how great this episode is. I really loved the style, the content and everything else. Keep up the great work. I love your channel.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Really happy to hear that!

[@Cancoillotteman]

I can only concur ! Thank you so much for listening to everyone's feedback, this is highly informative and pleasant to watch ! :)

[@sdtamarinera]

Wow so cool. I am Peruvian I am so glad that finally someone talk about this part of the world in animated history videos

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you for watching :)

[@sdtamarinera]

Kings and Generals my pleasure. Consider also that Inkas allowed conquered civilazations to keep their gods and culture. What in the end helped the spanish to get a lot of allies.

[@Hostility1812]

I’m American but I sure as hell wanted to know anyways! Very interesting place indeed.

[@davidking6242]

Be proud of your ancestors bro

[@baneofignorance8530]

TheExplorer much of Latin America is mixed with European, Amerindian and African ancestry. Some countries such as Bolivia have higher frequency of indigenous blood. But intermixing was very common in the region and the majority of the population is mestizo.

[@CogitoEdu]

It is a lot of fun making these videos for you all. If you have any questions about the Inca or anything else in the video ask away and I'll do my best to answer :D

[@brettd2308]

You did a great job with this.

[@tppcrpg6311]

Do you plan on covering the colonization of all americas?

[@CogitoEdu]

We plan on covering as much as we possibly can. There are a lot of interesting stories to be told from the Americas.

[@razorbird789]

Do you have any plans to cover people like the Hopewell Mound Builders? They are a very untold civilisation

[@CogitoEdu]

Mound Builders were so cool. We will be covering a lot of Americas history and as the Mound Builders are such a huge part of it they should be included. We need to see how this series goes first before anything is set in stone :D

[@pimd6998]

It's great that you are also doing Pre Colombian history because that deserves more attention. Maybe next you can do some African history which is also misunderstood and underrated

[@umaransari9765]

Epic History agree African history is must

[@idontgetit2195]

misunderstood and underrated?

[@davidking6242]

He should cover the rise of Songhai or the life of osei tutu and his wars that created the ashanti empire

[@nomooon]

Yes I agree, definitely need some intro to African military history. Only African military history I know are Zulu, Ethiopia vs Italy, and Wakanda

[@qus.9617]

Yes, people either downplay it or embellish it to great lengths... In the same way in this video, the Inca ingenuity and disadvantages from the old-world were depicted. The same manner should be addressed for African history. In an honest manner we can marvel at the systems of, say, how the Swiss and Macedonians developed their pike warfare, we can attribute Shaka's reformation of the warfare from ritualistic and changing the length of the spear (shortened), increased the shield size, used the infamous zulu pincer formation and decreased the distance of the engagement of two armies spear throwing distance... At the same time, we cannot delude ourselves to think of how this sort of arrangement was 'revolutionary' or superior as it had already been conceptualised elsewhere.

[@-shi.v-]

earth shaker is probably the coolest title anyone can ever have

[@21Arrozito]

There are different translations for pachakutik, "pacha" for example be translated both as "earth" and "time". "kuti" is more literally "again". The term is typically used to describe a sort of "resetting" of time and space. And traditional Inca oral history is divided into epochs, each epoch ends with a 'pachakutik' type event which is usually some kind of destructive event. For this reason you will sometimes see "pachakutik" translated as "apocalypse" or "cataclysm".

[@BHuang92]

Imagine him in bed.............

[@danishbutter1847]

im not surprised that they are located at a earthquake fault line.

[@charlesbrooks94]

I was completely unaware that the Inca had bronze tools, that’s honestly really cool to think about

[@basvanderhorst9633]

I really like the video in this style and Devin narrating this video is much better, thanks for listening to our feedback!

[@jensjensen9035]

Bas van der Horst DING DONG YOUR OPINION IS WRONG!!!

[@gorgon6680]

What does it mean if you have the KaG logo beside your name?

[@basvanderhorst9633]

2 refined plz that means you are a youtube sponsor of this channel!

[@gemafigueroa3149]

I was there! I saw some of their quipu. I like how they first tried to peacefully expand their land before deciding to use force. I knew they were smart and creative but I didn’t know that their armor was so creative and well thought out.

[@TheEndofZombieShakespeare]

I really respect the fact that you guys took your viewers recommendations into account. Absolutely loved this video and looking forward to more of this series.

[@KingsandGenerals]

There will be more! :-)

[@gianlucaborg195]

Sign me up. This is what I am talking about, this is the quality material I love. "Give this a chance" hell yes, Keep it up, very accurate and well detailed. I particularly loved the music, which seemed suitable for the Inca. I loved the intro too, very original. I also loved the graphics and art style here, distinct and unique from the usual one, yet totally original. I also loved the narration, thanks Devin, you just seem to have something that, well, idk, I just prefare it, but good job Cogito on your research and detail! 10/10, quality and accuracy, graphics and all else. The Inca had a very subtle way of expanding their empire, by which the Kingdom of Cuzco, rather simply, annexed or destroyed neighbors, much like I do in Civilization. Keep it up friends! P.S I loved those info bits at the end!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you for watching :)

[@HxH2011DRA]

This isn't just a great video, but an important one. Not enough people know or talk about this empire, which is not only ashamed for cultural reasons but because of all they can teach us. I mean these guys had this huge effective empire without WHEELS or even money. That fact alone destroys current paradigm's and the culture shock many exprience when I tell them this is both amazing and inspiring. It's no coincidence Karl Marx called Inca society communist, distinct from primitive communism in fact.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Indeed.

[@MrBigCookieCrumble]

my fav civ in civ3. :D

[@TheAutomedon]

I mean they talk about not having wheels but whats they point when there is no Beasts of Burden and they live in mountains

[@mountainhobo]

"I mean they talk about not having wheels but whats they point when there is no Beasts of Burden and they live in mountains" -- Nonsense. They had highways.

[@thatpianoguy1657]

They were effective because of slavery and taxes imposed to subjugated foes (I live in Perú, I know what I'm talking about)

[@martinguerra5152]

The documentary i want to see is "rise of Kings & Generals". Seriously... More videos and responses by far than any tactics/strategy channel. Gaining so many subscribers and producing so much material in a relatively short time. Love you fellows, being following you since the first video of the teutonic wars.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks for being with us for so long. :-)

[@Achillez098]

"But how did they keep 10 million mouths fed, in a land of extremes?" Well, anyone who has seen The Emperor's New Grooves knows the answer: Spinach Puffs!!!!! :D

[@Wolfeson28]

"I never liked your spinach puffs. NEVER!"

[@barbiquearea]

They had a complex irrigation system that made extensive farming possible in remote locations.

[@LordHoth_09]

FINALLY!!! I was looking everywhere for a ENG reference

[@jorgedepaz5750]

They builded little rooms on the cliff of some mountains where weather may fall many grades below cero to keep preserving vegetables as potatoes and beans for months and also they deshydrate meat so they could eat it weeks or months later.

[@faresaljajeh3487]

Your themed video entrance still gives me the chills... great production!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you very much! :-)

[@saga-webtv]

BEST HISTORIC CHANNEL EVER ! Keep up thr good work, I'm a big big fan of yours

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you very much, we will! :-)

[@Clegane90]

Thank you Kings and Generals and ofc to Cogito really fun to Watch! Love that you really listen to your fans feedback that truly shows that you care. Much love and respect

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you!

[@danielrondon1013]

I'm just so happy than you made an Incan episode, I just loved to see it happening, I wish there were more videos about them.

[@KingsandGenerals]

There will be at least 2 more episodes about them!

[@MrAlexkyra]

That moment when a youtube channel is better at history than the History Channel. Great job guys, I really enjoyed your comprehensive look at the 3 most famous Pre-Columbian civilizations. Maybe you could take a similar look at some lesser known peoples, like the Mapuches of Chile (probably the most fearsome indigenous warriors of the Americas)?

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you! We will do it down the line.

[@realityismerelyanill]

Incredible. I just visited all the countries touched by the inca empire (and visited all the museums possible). Yet, you guys still managed to present me with new information in a very synthetic and entertaining way. Congratulations. Please, make more videos like this one.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks, more on the way!

[@brauliozapata6618]

Im peruvian And this is just amazing Thank you so much for doing such a video about our history and culture

[@jv11112]

Wow, you fixed my one critique from the last video. Keep this kinds of videos coming! I love learning about more obscure cultures and civilizations that aren't talked about as much.

[@quillinkhistory9539]

I have to say, your animations never fails to impress, good work guys!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you for watching, my friend.

[@shadowace350]

Really enjoying this format. Well done to both Cogito and Devin! Glad Kings and Generals listen to their viewers!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you. We are always open to the feedback. :-)

[@theworldahistoryin100video7]

another Fantastic enjoyable video, Thank you

[@CogitoEdu]

Thank you. There is more on the way :D

[@iQafa]

This channel has scratched a very big itch for me. Thanks a lot for the content.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you for watching :)

[@tg1982]

Great video! Filled with really interesting information, thank you!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks for watching!

[@lucasvargas6264]

Awesome video. I liked Cogito's series, and this script. But, I like this format the most! Keep up the great work!

[@KingsandGenerals]

We will! :-)

[@captainlag3537]

I cant wait for the next episode! Youre turning better and better every video you make. Also i wouldnt mind a few jokes here and there

[@reallybruh9701]

Awesome you guys started doing everything more like the originals but with other wars and regions! Live your gys channel. One of the best!

[@KingsandGenerals]

:-)

[@farrukhmir6497]

Brilliant video

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks!

[@mathieug6136]

Very interesting video! Can't wait for the next one

[@KingsandGenerals]

Relatively soon!

[@hamadalromaithi4723]

Thanks for allowing the episode to be Narrated by Devin. It is really interesting to know how nations away from the old world live. To learn that empires could live without written system, the wheel and money. After this episode , I am very excited to know more about the old empires in the new world. And Inca without a doubt one of those.

[@tylergrant6853]

I just got to say you guys do great work and I love watching these videos that made me more interested in other historical war other than 20th century ones I'm going off into the Canadian armed forces🇨🇦 in a few months and I'm gonna miss the content so in show of support I bought one of you nice looking shirts😉, but thanks to all of you guys🤙

[@tylergrant6853]

Sorry I wrote so much lol😂

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you very much for your support and for your service!

[@tylergrant6853]

Kings and Generals 🍻

[@nitebird67]

Great video. I really enjoyed it and look forward to the continuation of it.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks, soonish. :-)

[@solomonmathi4860]

Great info!! So much details!!! Keep up the good work! Love from India!!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you! :-)

[@Toranaga]

I really liked this video and enjoy the changes you've made to the format. Good job!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you :)

[@bakhurjisamer9110]

Once again, been waiting for another video you guys are the coolest!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you for watching :)

[@dazhibernian]

I remember asking for South American stuff months ago. Thanks! Great stuff.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you for watching :)

[@dingus8531]

Great video. Thank you for posting the best content on youtube.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Appreciate it! :-)

[@qus.9617]

Great video!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you very much!

[@iconiclust]

This was amazing. AWESOME JOB!

[@germanyballwork4834]

I liked this way more compared to the other aztec videos, hope you continue this series and hopefully it goes great

[@pieperson8625]

I enjoyed the artwork in this video feels fitting for the society in the video looking forward to seeing more like this.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Off to a great start. :-)

[@Hannes2k]

Excellent! Really like this format and the visuals are great.

[@Emperor-Of-Karma]

Good work.. once again.. yet again

[@bamaha24]

I love it please give us more

[@KingsandGenerals]

More on the way!

[@peterkazzi9481]

Love your videos keep it up

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you for watching :)

[@theneroliveira]

Awesome series! thanks for it

[@TheChucnoris]

Awesome video. Please keep shedding light on these cultures.

[@lukezuzga6460]

Glad to hear Devin's narration and Cogito makes a good video with K & Gs so I believe you's have found a good formula. The old formula tastes good as well, however. I'm happy ro be getting Sun and Thur videos, Thx!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you! :-)

[@gamingextreme87]

Had no idea about this, great series and format. Keep them coming :)

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks for watching!

[@andrawsy]

Historia Civilis and King and Generals uploading on the same time! You made my day guys!

[@luise.carrasco6443]

I loved this video!!! Can’t wait for the next

[@doolaranshuur8984]

You the best guy keep up the good work ilve your channel

[@KingsandGenerals]

We will, thank you!

[@Hackedideal]

Good work

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you for watching :)

[@stompingpartridge258]

Look forward to the next one!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Very soon!

[@alvarom7855]

thanks, it is so great that you made this, it makes me proud of the history of my ancestors

[@motorola1543]

Nice video.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks! :-)

[@umaransari9765]

Stanisław Augustus II yo earliest person in comment section

[@SamuelHallEngland]

Awesome! So many factions, I wasn't aware of that.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks!

[@rowshonnabi5158]

Nice Job. Keep going guys

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks, we will!

[@stredent]

This is a great video. I like that you're incorporating more context into the work.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you very much!

[@ryanabercrombie7966]

This video has absolutely amazing quality. Its great to see Inca history on screen as it does not receive the attention i believe it should. Well done Kings and Generals! :)

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks for the the kind words! :-)

[@TheHistoryofSpainPodcast]

Great video as usual, everyone talks about their fall but no one about their rise.

[@moulayismail1546]

I love your content keep your doing great work

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you for watching :)

[@Will-Parr]

Excellent video. Thanks

[@hades67890]

Excelnte vídeo 👏👏👏👏

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you.

[@user-vj5dm7rf9s]

Thank you for this video. I'm Peruvian, yet I moved to the middle east when I was fairly little, so I never learnt about my country's history and this helped out a lot against my family's constant complaints against my lack of knowledge regarding the history of Peru hahaha.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks for watching!

[@sebastiantapia804]

love this channel, thank you for the content!

[@gianlucaborg195]

Hip Hip Hurray for Medieval Total War 2: Americas Extended mod

[@gianlucaborg195]

I know, I know, the Game doesn't even really extend into the south, but it helped for a few seconds of graphics and was an awesome game (and mods exist you know)

[@CogitoEdu]

I forgot to mention. This is made with the Americas Extended mod. Which has the Inca 😉 WHEN AM I GETTING MY TOTAL WAR: AMERICAS, CREATIVE ASSEMBLY. WHEN?!!!!

[@gianlucaborg195]

Well, we're getting China now, and just got Britania, so either something middle-eastern or Crusade related (maybe Teutonic Campaign?) or else Americas. They can possibly go to Africa, possibly a grand campaign there or a set like the Italian, Egyptian, Peninsular and Europe campaigns from Napoleon Total War. Otherwise, that would leave the Americas, and there one can co from 15th-16th centuries, or else, 18th-19th centuries. Honestly, however, the campaigns of TW:M2 were awesome, and had good mechanics, much better than Empire Total War or early Rome 2 (albeit that got fixed) - In brief, I predict within 2-3 years, we will at least get Medieval 3

[@tomh4754]

Gianluca Borg This was such a trainwreck of a comment.

[@gianlucaborg195]

why

[@farajaraf]

I enjoy this series.

[@KingsandGenerals]

We enjoy making it for you, guys. :-)

[@IkBenDigio]

Wow an channel that listens to feedback and improves on it. Great video keep it up

[@CogitoEdu]

We're glad you enjoyed it :D

[@KTKLOS]

This is very impressive. One of my favorite channels on youtube.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you for watching :)

[@jonlee9600]

Thank you for covering the Incas, my ancestors don't get enough recognition I feel. I can't wait for more!

[@futuregohan2398]

2:35 lol look at the potato. You guys at Kings and Generals are trolling

[@SocuteRaptor]

Who is that?

[@umaransari9765]

Future Gohan I am watching on small screen Who is that guy

[@NimbleBard48]

Looks like Dan Quayle.

[@umaransari9765]

szpinak222 who is Dan Quayle

[@NimbleBard48]

I have no idea, I just googled "US politician potato" and saw results on some YT video and on wikipedia. The picture is very similar.

[@Nugeorge]

Great video, well done guys!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks for watching!

[@ZarquonZ]

Omg I absolutely adore the narration and artwork of this. MORE. MORE!

[@KingsandGenerals]

More on the way. :-)

[@johnsmitty7447]

i did not think cogitos south park style videos were bad but the mob rules i guess, anyways im happy to have more videos in any form, keep it up

[@user-qr9ml7hj5o]

The best channel ever

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you!

[@REVENANT-77]

Your stories are really good,i appreciate your job.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you, dear friend :)

[@abdulrahmansaleem2591]

I appreciate your efforts........ keep making videos!!! 😃😄

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you for watching :)

[@alexop5919]

good channel

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you!

[@alexleung842]

I feel bad that Cogito wasn't able to make as many jokes or narrate, but overall I prefer this style better. Great job to everyone involved. Thanks for the research, writing, and art Cogito!

[@CogitoEdu]

Thank you, I'm happy you enjoyed it :D

[@Armandoch54]

Thanks so much for making this! I had been hoping against hope that Kings and Generals would get to my ancestors, the Inkas. I'm especially in love with the fact that this is gonna be at least three videos. I wish you all the best! Kawsachun Devin, kawsachun qhapaqkuna apukunapas!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks for watching!

[@MrSami-tv6vl]

Ok I really enjoyed this . Much better ,great work . Thank you.

[@InvisibleTower]

How much of an absolute beast do you have to be to adopt the name EARTHSHAKER?

[@-gemberkoekje-5547]

I wish I was logged in on my Pachacuti Yupanqui channel to thank you :)

[@mybutthasteeth1347]

Guess the Cuzco over time developed a way of operating and culture from that of the world, from their food, military and a new groove

[@christermi]

Always keen to learn new things ;)

[@TyrannosaurusRex5027]

That was awesome! You guys make the weeks bearable :D

[@KingsandGenerals]

I hear you, it is not easy to be a T-Rex in our day and age. :-)

[@TyrannosaurusRex5027]

Don't get me started XD

[@kalashnikov5038]

Damn, amazing. :D

[@KingsandGenerals]

thanks :)

[@dariuscallado7326]

What really interests me about the Incan Empire was its well-organized government system during its time period. I would say that Pachacuti was a smart emperor for his time because I guess he realized that to have a great empire, they would need a stable government. Also, I thought that them not having a writing system and using other means of communication was fascinating.

[@tanerbayramli3323]

Great video. A lot of info

[@worsethanjoerogan8061]

Bolas were actually effective against cavalry? That's pretty impressive.

[@gerwantofrivera3725]

Dean Cutler correct me if I am wrong but weren't the whole empire taken down by like 300 Spaniards? if yes then I just must question the "effectiveness " of this weapon.

[@OldBloodAndGutz]

There were 300 Spaniards leading upwards of 30,000 indigenous allies....

[@davidkelly4210]

@@gerwantofrivera3725 the Inca 'fell' to a Spanish backed palace coup. Actually conquering the place took years.

[@mysticonthehill]

Yes one needs to remember Pizarro extorted a large ransom and reneged on is promise. But serious combat hadn't occurred and by no means was the empire yet defeated.

[@harrywpedroso190]

This have been the best short documentary I ever watched about the Inca. You guys are doing a great job. Thank you so much for keeping history alive and interesting!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Appreciate the kind words! :-)

[@akashbond862]

Great content!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks!

[@bvillafuerte765]

Excellent video.

[@kaceygarcia249]

I'm perhaps most impressed with their ability to built such a large and powerful empire 3000m above sea level. I'm curious to know what their building methods were and the dangers (if any) that were present in this geographical region. Were landslides common? I also cant help but wonder what the condition of these ruins look like today. As we saw with the Aztecs, the Incas were extremely diplomatic and fairly peaceful if they didn't need to mass produce steel or iron. I've also heard that because the Incas didn't have a system of money they all worked together to thrive as an empire and helped one another with what was needed?

[@Enkabard]

Amazing job. Video quality is just great, narration is great. So glad you decided to do this style instead of the previous cartoonish/funny one, its the style that another channel uses and i often get lost in whats actually valid information or just sake of joke. This is much more immersive and informative. Your channel is probably only one for i get excited whenever i see notification, i swear i have to start sending some bucks on patreon to you guys soon.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you for watching and considering to support us :) more support we get, better videos we will produce.

[@umaransari9765]

Kings and Generals can u remake Aztecs videos?