The Inca emperor derived his prodigious power and authority from the gods. The paramount god was the sun god. It was from him the ruler passed on his prerogative to rule to his most astute son. This nepotism had worked with great efficacy for centuries. The land holdings were immense, there were rich farmlands and Ilamas and alpacas for wool. Precious metals were plentiful: silver, copper, bronze, and the most sacred of all, gold. This metal resembled the sun of god whom they extolled. There was no death of idols and ornaments hammered from his gleaming metal. There was always more gold coming from the mines to replenish the supply. At the acme of his power, the Inca ruler died without naming the requisite successor. In 1493 two sons began an internecine struggle for control. For the next 40 years the empire sank into the lassitude caused by civil war.
- derive – memperoleh, mendapatkan
- prodigious – luar biasa, sangat banyak remarkably or impressively great in extent, size, or degree.
- efficacy – kemanjuran, kemujaraban
- immense – besar sekali, luar biasa
- extolled – praise enthusiastically.
- hammered – hit or beat (something) with a hammer or similar object.
- replenish – mengisi kembali, menambah
- internecine – destructive to both sides in a conflict.
- lassitude – kelesuan, a state of physical or mental weariness; lack of energy.
