the root, means abundant or many, and it can be modified to signify multiples,
innumerable, or infinite. Applied in context, then, the conquest and multiple
alliances with ethnic groups characterized the person with this name as a counter
of many people or ruler of innumerable nations. Expansion and the idea of
control over huge numbers of people are implied, giving him the right to be
worthy of honor, glory, respect, and praise. This analysis underscores the fact
that the motivation for Inca imperialism was not, as others have postulated, the
dominion over land or ground as a commodity, private property in the western
sense, per se; nor, was it, as others have suggested, the control of trade routes. It
was, instead, the control of labor that defined rich in the Native point of view
(see Labor Service; Wealth).
This definition of the name Yupanqui corresponds well to the title of El Cuzco
(the Cuzco) used to refer to the emperor at the time of the Spanish invasion as
the one who dominated or supervised a hierarchy of decimally defined
administrative positions (see Administration, Decimal; Census). The political
status of El Cuzco, like that of his subordinates, was measured by the number of
his followers: the more followers, the higher the status. The rank of the emperor,
like his subordinates, was symbolized to onlookers by the height of his seat or
throne (the higher the throne, the higher the status); whether he was carried
seated on a litter or prone in a hammock; and by the fineness of the weaving and
decoration of his clothes.
The Standard List of Inca Kings
Ruler’s Praise Name Translation Given Name
Manco Capac Creator or Original Omnipotent (King)
Sinchi Roca Warrior Roca
Lloque Yupanqui Left-Handed (Ruler) of Incalculable
Peoples
Mayta Capac Omnipotent Mayta
Capac Yupanqui Omnipotent (Ruler) of Incalculable
Peoples
Inca Roca King Roca
Yawar Huacap He Who Cries Blood Inca Yupanqui, Mayta Yupanqui, Titu Cusi
Hualpa
Viracocha Inca Creator King Hatun Topa Inca
Pachacuti Inca
YupanquiReforming King of Incalculable
PeoplesInca Yupanqui, Cusi Yupanqui