The Inca Empire

One of the greatest empires in human history started from a small kingdom high in the Andean mountains. It is known in modern times as the Inca Empire. The methodical way in which it expanded its territory to cover vast areas of the continent, how it relied on a grid of roads, created cities in remote parts of the territory, and built architectural marvels is reminiscent of the way the Roman Empire establish its own domination of the Mediterranean Basin.

While the Empire was destroyed with great ease by a few hundreds Spanish Conquistadors at a time of major dynastic struggle, the Inca heritage remains strong over the Western half of the South American continent, and the Inca civilization is considered one of the greatest civilizations in human history.