CHAPTER I

THE CONQUEST OF THE PROVINCE OF HUACRACHUCU, AND THE MEANING OF ITS NAME

The great Tupac Ynca Yupanqui (whose name of Tupac means “He who shines” or “makes resplendent”, the great deeds of that prince having earned him such a name) assumed the crimson fringe on the death of his father, and, having observed the funeral and other ceremonies and sacrifices which were performed on the deaths of their kings, in which he passed the first year of his reign, he set out to visit his kingdoms and provinces. This was the first act of a new king on his accession, and it was done that he might know and be known and loved by his vassals, and that as well the towns in common, as each inhabitant in particular, might approach nearer to represent their needs. It was also done that the governors, judges, and other ministers might not become careless or tyrannical owing to the absence of the Ynca. In this journey he passed upwards of four years, and having completed it and left his people well satisfied with his goodness and benevolence, he ordered forty thousand warriors to be assembled for the following year, to continue the conquests which his ancestors had left incomplete.