The Inca Built a Social Pyramid
Examine the Inca social pyramid with the Sapa Inca at its apex, followed by nobles and priests, down to the farming commoners who provided labor tax in Grade 7 history.
Key Concepts
Incan society had a strict social hierarchy with three main classes. At the very top was the emperor, the Sapa Inca . He was considered a living god and held absolute power over the empire.
Below the emperor were the nobles. This class included high ranking officials and local leaders who helped manage the government. They enjoyed a life of luxury and did not have to pay taxes.
Common Questions
What were the three main social classes in Inca society?
Inca society was organized into a strict hierarchy. At the top was the Sapa Inca—the emperor, considered a living god with absolute power. Below him were nobles including high officials and local leaders. The vast majority were commoners—farmers who provided labor called mit'a as their primary tax obligation to the state.
Who was the Sapa Inca and what power did he hold?
The Sapa Inca was the Inca emperor, believed to be a living son of the sun god Inti. This divine status gave him absolute authority over all aspects of Inca life. The emperor controlled land distribution, military campaigns, religious ceremonies, and all major state decisions throughout the vast Andean empire.
How did the mit'a labor tax system work in Inca society?
Rather than paying taxes in goods or money, Inca commoners owed the state a portion of their labor—called mit'a. Workers built roads, temples, and agricultural terraces, served in the military, or worked state farms. In return, the state stored food in warehouses to distribute during famines, creating a reciprocal welfare system.