Final answer:
Inca power was gained, consolidated, and maintained through their religious practices by establishing temples for their main deity across the empire, consulting religious experts for governance decisions, constructing grand religious structures, and performing public rituals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Inca civilization relied heavily on their religious practices for maintaining and consolidating power. Their primary deity was the sun god Inti, from whom Inca rulers claimed direct descent. To reinforce their authority, they established temples dedicated to Inti throughout the entirety of their empire and incorporated respects of the local religious practices as well.
Consultations with religious experts were common before political or military decisions were made. This integration of spiritual guidance maintained the Inca's authority and justified their governance. Additionally, grand structures such as Machu Picchu served as a testament to the Inca's power and religious devotion, further solidifying their influence.
Their religious practices also aided in conserving a sense of shared political values. Ritual human sacrifices were a part of their ceremonies aimed at appeasing their gods, although not as prevalent as in Aztec traditions. These sacrifices, often public, served as a display of power and an instrument of inducing fear in their enemies and subjects alike.
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