A fascinating, concise and comprehensive description of the rise, glory and fall of the Ancient Inca civilization. The volume is dedicated to the presentation of the Incas from the information that has come down to us from ancient records, from mythology and from archaeology. Drawing upon the latest researches and sources on the subject, the volume seeks to unfold to the larger public the historical conditions, reasons and events that led to Incas' success between the 13th and 15th centuries AD in imposing their domination upon the numerous populations native to the vast Andean territory. In presenting the historical records and archaeological evidences that relate the conquests and deeds of the sovereigns, from the legendary Manco Capac to Tupac Amaru, the last "Son of the Sun," this book provides an understanding of how the Incas developed from a small ethnic group to become an imperial power. In addition, special attention is given to in-depth examinations that enable the reader to understand the complex structure of Incan society and its political, economic and religious organization. Following the winding path of the Urubamba River across the so-called Sacred Valley, the heart of the empire, this volume, with the support of splendid images, visits the famous archaeological sites where, in a magnificent collaboration with the environment, the Incas were able to mould their own history through the construction of roads, hanging bridges, sanctuaries and cities. The Incas developed a culture that was the end result of a long process of transformation which involved all the thousand-year old Pre-Hispanic civilizations of the Peruvian area: they were however able, more than any predecessor or challenger, to build relationships and dominate far-flung and extremely varied territory. For this reason, they remain the unifying symbol of the modern Andean nations. AUTHOR: Carolina Orsini (1972) is curator of the extra-European Collections of the Civic Museums' Applied Art Collection of the Castello Sforzesco, Milan. For nearly a decade she has undertaken - and still undertakes - field work in the Peruvian Andes, where she directs the works of the Antonio Raimondi Archaeology and Anthropology Mission, in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and various Peruvian institutions. Colour illustrations