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Korikancha – What Pegman Saw

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Don’t think I’ve ever participated in a Pegman so late but there you go.  In my efforts to help this challenge stay alive, late is good, right?

Thanks to Josh and Karen for trying to keep this great challenge alive.

Today Pegman treks down to the Andes for a stroll through Cusco in central Peru. Once the capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco is now known for its archaeological remains and Spanish colonial architecture. Remember to breathe… the elevation is 11,000 feet.

Stroll around until you find a picture that grabs you and write 150 words. When you’re done, click on the froggy below to link your story and comment on others.

click me!

Korikancha

Pachacuti looked on from the beyond in disgust.  It is the end of us.  The great and powerful Inca are no more.  Those savage Spanish heathens – they dare call themselves conquistadors – have destroyed all that we are, that we built.  That I built.  My empire.

He watched as Atahualpa, the last Sapa Inca, was murdered despite the ransom agreed upon.  The fool!  80,000 men at his disposal and yet he was ambushed by one man, Hernando Pizzaro.

My beautiful Temple of the Sun, built with the finest ashlar masonry.  I wanted it to be more, so I had the sides plated with 700 sheets of gold for each of the gods: Inti (Sun), Killa (Moon), Chaska (Stars) and Illapa (Thunder/Lightning/Rainbow); the garden, adorned with silver and gold life-sized statues.

For what? To take all the treasures, destroy it and build an ugly church to pray to their supposed better god.

75 thoughts on “Korikancha – What Pegman Saw”

    • Dear Rochelle,

      Oh good. I was afraid for a bit there… Thank you. And yes, better late than not at all 😉

      Shalom and lotsa love,

      Dale

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  2. This is superb, Dale.I feel like Pachacuti spoke right through you in both his glory and his bitterness. The Inca were a mighty civilization and you get across both their history and the tragedy of the loss of the culture.

    For what it’s worth, I think Pegman is open all week, up until the next prompt posts, so I don’t consider this late at all. Josh and I were really touched by the kind feedback to his post earlier this week. We feel lucky to have such a following. What Pegman lacks in size, it makes up for in talent and enthusiasm!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you, Karen. That is what I was trying to get across – so much info to sift through I worried I’d miss the mark!

      And yes, I know it is open for the week but, still. I hope it picks up!!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. One civilisation is often built on the ruins of another. If we scrape below the surface of our own towns and cities, what cultures will we find beneath. Wonderfully voiced and realised

    Liked by 2 people

  5. So refreshing to hear the Inca’s side of the story, as so much of history is written from the point of view of the victor. I love the snide remark about the Spanish, daring to call themselves conquistadors! It must have seemed rather unfair to have your civilization ruined just because gunpowder and Germs hadnt made their way across the ocean yet.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Wow. Amazing research and story Dale. Visiting some of the Inca ruins is on my bucket list. There was a documentary on about a month ago that was really eye opening. They are using new radar that is finding that their Empire was MUCH larger and stretch farther than anyone ever imagined. I think it was a Discovery documentary.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Q,

    The Spaniards laid waste to so many cultures though out the world, all in the name of expansionist power for the throne. It really does say everything about what ‘progress’ is assumed to be and what it really is. Because in all that pillaging, they were deemed to be the progress in the world. When in reality, progress was happening in a much more sustainable way by those who were defeated. Sadly.

    Lots of homework goes into this, well done!

    B

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