Incas and Aztecs

The Old Story of Defeated Empires: The Inca Rulers Spoiled Their Children While the Aztecs Were Told They Were Going to Die in Battle

by John Fisher

The book Moctezuma and Atahualpa: Life, Passion and the Death of Two Rulers by Peruvian anthropologist Luis Millones and Mexican archaeologist Eduardo Matos examines the lives and legacies of Atahualpa, the last Inca ruler, and Moctezuma, the final Aztec emperor. The authors provide a comparative analysis of their reigns, focusing on their leadership styles, cultural contexts, and responses to the Spanish conquest.

Atahualpa, embroiled in a civil war with his brother Huascar over the division of the Inca Empire, faced the Spanish conquest amidst internal chaos. In contrast, Moctezuma ruled the Aztec Empire for over 15 years during its peak, governing a vast territory spanning from central Mexico to the Pacific and Atlantic coasts.

Key differences between the empires included governance approaches and cultural philosophies. The Incas sought to manage vast territories through centralized control and imperial integration, while the Aztecs emphasized warrior culture and sacrificial rituals. Both societies, however, shared a profound connection to the Sun as a central religious symbol.

The book also contrasts the actions of their conquerors, Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro. Cortés maintained a legal relationship with the Spanish Crown, enabling a smoother transition to colonial rule in Mexico. Pizarro's conquest of Peru, by contrast, was marked by instability, with his assassination leading to prolonged conflict and disorder.

While the book doesn't introduce new historical revelations, it offers a nuanced and accessible comparison of these iconic leaders, shedding light on their unique challenges and the broader historical context of their civilizations' encounters with European colonization.

Reference: Millones, L., & Matos, E. (2024, December 7). The old story of defeated empires: The Inca rulers spoiled their children while the Aztecs were told they were going to die in battle. EL PAÍS. Retrieved from https://english.elpais.com/culture/2024-12-07/the-old-story-of-defeated-empires-the-inca-rulers-spoiled-their-children-while-the-aztecs-were-told-they-were-going-to-die-in-battle.html

Key Words: Inca, Aztec, empires, rulers, conquest

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