The Inca Civilization
During his expedition, Francisco Pizarro encountered the Inca civilization. Before the Spanish explorers arrived, the Inca people had an organized lifestyle. Inca people that were farmers were required to do work for the state, then the state religion, and finally for themselves and their families. In return for their work, the farmers were provided with some land to farm. Some of the crops the Inca farmers typically grew were maize, potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, various types of beans, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. The Incas also kept storehouses filled with food in every region. Easy travel between regions was made available through a network of roads that passed throughout the empire. Everyone in the Inca culture was required to marry. The noblemen, those who were related to royalty, were allowed to have more than one wife, while the common people were only allowed to have one. A trial marriage was done to see if the marriage would work. If the marriage did not work, both partners would enter another marriage without shame. The law stated that once a couple was married, they had to stay together for life. The men of the house would typically make sandals and help with weaving, while the women of the household would prepare food and keep the home clean. The children of nobles were sent to receive an education, while common children never received a formal education and watched their parents work in the fields. Boys and girls, ages five to nine, were expected to help watch their younger siblings, scare the birds away from the crops, collect firewood, spin threads from wool, gather wild plants, and help with cooking and cleaning around the house. As the children got older, they took on additional responsibilities. The Incas were a hard working society and lived an organized lifestyle.