History of the Incas

Drawing on testimonies gathered in the 1570s from Inca nobles and Spanish officials, this work offers one of the earliest detailed accounts of the empire that once ruled the Andes. The author, a cosmographer serving the Viceroy of Peru, recorded the narratives in the native language, then refined them with the input of both indigenous elders and colonial scholars. Listeners will hear a rich tapestry of political events, social structures, and the legends that underpinned Inca identity.

The manuscript is accompanied by striking visual aids: embroidered cloths that map genealogical lines, depict royal couples, and illustrate the creation myths of Tampu‑tocco and Viracocha, plus a hand‑drawn map of Peru with town coordinates. Modern translation and scholarly notes illuminate the original Spanish and Quechua terms, making the material accessible while preserving its authentic voice. As an auditory journey, the book brings the distant world of Cuzco’s courts and mountain sanctuaries to life, inviting listeners to explore a civilization before the Spanish conquest reshaped it.