L. L. Owens

books for children and young adults

The Inca Empire

Learn about the history and culture of the ancient Incas. Topics include the origins of the Incas, family life, Incan architecture, civil war, and the Spanish Conquest. Hi-Lo: RL 3.4; IL 2–6.

The Inca Empire is available in paperback (PB) and reinforced library binding (RLB) editions. Perfection Learning, 2002; 56 pages; PB ISBN 0-7891-5743-8; RLB ISBN 0-7569-0911-2.

To order the book, please call 1-800-831-4190, fax 1-712-644-2392, or click here.

Note: The publisher also offers a Teacher Resource for this title.

Excerpt from Chapter 4: "Crime and Punishment"

The Sapa Inca tolerated little crime. To make sure that people didn't turn to crime, the ruler saw that the people's needs were met.

Crime was so uncommon that there weren't even any prisons.

So what happened when someone broke the law? They were harshly punished. The worst crimes were
• insulting the Incas
• cursing the gods
• murder

Anyone caught doing any of those things was thrown off a cliff.

If a person was caught stealing or cheating, one of two things would happen.
• The person's hands and feet were cut off.
• The person's eyes were gouged out.

Excerpt © 2002 Perfection Learning.