The Inca Empire was located in South America in an area we now call Peru. The Incas reigned from about 1000 AD to 1483 AD. The Incas believed in many deities. They believe there was a creator of all things and the sun was their most powerful god. The Incas built great temples for worship of the sun god. They gave great importance to the immortality of the soul and other secrets of nature. The Incan religion was organized to be practical. It was comprised of many officials such as high priests, high priestesses, priests and the Chosen Women. The religion complemented economic and social policies that reflected Inca power.

The Inca individual was to insure his or her well being by carefully carrying out all rituals and everyday worship. This was for the well being of all environmental forces and powers. Any bad thing that happened to an individual whether it was physical or economical was seen as punishment by the supernatural forces. They believed it was because there was a lack of attention or because of a wrongdoing on their part.

Viracocha, the creator, was both the mother and father of the Sun and Moon. Veracocha was also referred to by Pachacuti Yamqui as 'The Real Sun'.

God of the Weather, was called Illapa. (Thunder, lightning and thunderbolt.) He was represented as a man made up of stars, holding a war club in one hand and a sling in the other. Since this deity had power everywhere, shrines for worship of him were everywhere as well. Special sacrifices were performed for this god and done in the highest places.

Religious Studies of The Inca Empire 1-5

The thunder god was regarded as a messenger for the sun. In the highlands the worship of him was associated with Venus as the Morning Star. The Thunder God, or

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