Commoners

Definition

Commoners are individuals who belong to the lower social class within a society, often involved in agriculture, labor, and everyday trades, as opposed to the elite or ruling classes. In the context of the Inca Empire, commoners played a crucial role in supporting the empire's economy through their work and were subject to specific obligations and responsibilities toward the state.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Commoners made up the majority of the population in the Inca Empire, and their roles included farming, weaving, and artisan work.
2. The Mita System required commoners to contribute labor to state projects, such as road construction and agricultural work on state-owned lands.
3. Inca society was highly stratified, with commoners at the bottom; however, they still had rights and could own property within their ayllu.
4. Commoners were obligated to participate in religious festivals and rituals that honored the gods and the Sapa Inca, reinforcing their connection to the state.
5. Despite being lower in social hierarchy, commoners could rise in status through military service or exceptional contributions to the empire.

Review Questions

• How did the role of commoners shape the economy of the Inca Empire?
  • Commoners were essential to the economy of the Inca Empire as they were primarily responsible for agriculture and artisanal work. Their labor provided food and goods necessary for both local consumption and state storage. The Mita System also mandated that commoners contribute labor for state projects, ensuring that vital infrastructure like roads and irrigation systems were developed and maintained. This interconnectedness between commoners' work and state needs highlighted their significance in sustaining the empire's economy.
• Evaluate how social structure affected the lives of commoners in the Inca Empire.
  • The social structure of the Inca Empire placed commoners at the lower end of a hierarchical system dominated by nobles and the Sapa Inca. Although they had defined roles within their ayllus and could own land, they faced obligations such as labor taxes under the Mita System. This structure limited their social mobility but also provided them with a sense of community through collective work. Their daily lives were shaped by both state demands and communal support systems inherent in ayllu organization.
• Assess the impact of commoners' contributions on the stability and expansion of the Inca Empire.
  • The contributions of commoners were pivotal for both stability and expansion in the Inca Empire. Their agricultural output ensured food security for large populations while supporting military campaigns during expansions. The Mita System harnessed their labor for infrastructure projects that facilitated trade and communication across vast territories. By fulfilling their obligations, commoners directly supported state functions, which helped maintain order and promoted loyalty to the Sapa Inca. This relationship underscored how essential commoners were to both daily life and imperial ambitions.

Related terms

Ayllu: A social unit in the Inca Empire that formed the basic building block of society, consisting of extended families who worked together for mutual benefit.

Mita System: The labor tax system used by the Inca Empire that required commoners to perform a certain amount of work for the state, often in agriculture, construction, or military service.

Sapa Inca: The title given to the emperor of the Inca Empire, who held absolute power and was considered a descendant of the sun god, often ruling over both nobles and commoners.