The travels of Pedro de Cieza de Léon; part 2Cieza de León, Pedro de
History
The travels of Pedro de Cieza de Léon; part 2
Cieza de León, Pedro de
Incas; Peru -- History -- To 1548
Tupac Inca, having returned to Cuzco after having gained the great
victories which have been described, was enjoying himself at banquets
and drinking-bouts, with his wives, damsels, and children, for several
days. Among his children was Huayna Ccapac, he who was to succeed as
king, and who was growing up very vigorous and brave. After the
festivities, Tupac Inca thought of visiting the Collao and subduing the
region beyond. With this object, he ordered the soldiers to be summoned
from all parts, and many tents to be prepared for passing the night in
the desert places. The troops began to arrive with their captains, and
were lodged round the city, those whom the law prohibited not entering
Cuzco. Both one and the other were provided with all that was necessary,
the governors and purveyors of the city keeping a full account. When all
who had to go to the war were assembled, sacrifices were offered up to
their gods in conformity with their blindness, making the soothsayers
seek an answer touching the war from the oracles. After a general and
very splendid feast, Tupac Inca set out from Cuzco, leaving his eldest
son Huayna Ccapac as his lieutenant; and with great splendour and state,
he travelled to Colla-suyu, visiting his garrisons and royal _tampus_,
and being entertained in the villages of the Canas and Canchis.
Entering the Collao, he advanced as far as Chucuito, where the chiefs of
the land assembled to make a festival. Owing to the good order that was
established, they had sufficient provisions ready for the 300,000 men
who composed the army. Some chiefs of the Collao offered to go in
person with the Inca. He went on the lake of Titicaca, with some lords
whom he selected, and approved of the edifices which his father had
ordered to be built, and of the excellence of the work. He offered up
great sacrifices in the temple, and presented rich gifts to the priests
and to the idol, worthy of so great a lord as he was. He then returned
to the army, and marched through the whole province of the Collao until
he came to the end of it. He sent his messengers to all the nations of
the Charcas, Carangas, and other inhabitants of that region. Of these,
some consented to submit, while others resisted; but the Inca’s power
was such that the latter were easily subdued. The conquered were treated
with great clemency, and those who submitted with much affection. In
Paria, the Inca ordered edifices to be built, and also in other parts.
Certainly great events must have taken place in connection with Tupac
Inca, many of which have been forgotten, owing to the want of letters;
and I set down briefly some few out of many that we know, having been
heard by us who are in those parts.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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