414 DIVISIONS OF THE YNCA EMPIRE. 



CHAP. xiu. Of the distribution the Yncas made of their 

 Vassals. 



To relate more particularly what I have spoken before, 

 you must vnderstand that the distribution which the Yncas 

 made of their vassals was so exact and distinct, as he might 

 governe them all with great facilitie, although his realm e 

 were a thousand leagues long : for having conquered a 

 Province, he presently reduced the Indians into Towns and 

 Comminalties, the which he divided into bandes, hee ap 

 pointed one to have the charge over every ten Indians, over 

 every hundred another, over every thousand another, and 

 over ten thousand another, whom they called Hunu, the 

 which was one of the greatest charges. Yet above all 

 in every Province, there was a Governour of the house of 

 the Yncas, whom all the rest obeyed, giving vnto him 

 every yeare in particular account of what had passed, that 

 is, of such as were borne, of those that were dead, and of 

 their troups and graine. The Governors went every yeare 

 out of Cusco, where they remained, and returned to the 

 great feast of Kaymi, at the which they brought the tribute 

 of the whole Realme to the Court; neither might they enter 

 but with this condition. All the Kingdome was divided 

 into foure partes, which they called Tahuantinsuyu, that is, 

 Chinchasuyu, Collasuyu, Antisuyu, and Cuntisuyu, accord 

 ing to the foure waies which went from Cusco, where the 

 Court was resident, and where the generall assemblies of 

 the realme were made. These waies and Provinces being 

 answerable vnto them, were towards the foure quarters of 

 the world, Collasuyu to the South, Chinchasuyu to the 

 North, Cuntisuyu to the West, and Antisuyu to the East. 

 In every towne and village there were two sortes of people, 

 which were of Hanansuyu and Urinsuyu, which is as much 

 to say, as those above, and those below. When they com- 



