Final answer:
The top of the Inca social structure was occupied by the emperor, or Sapa Inca, who had supreme authority over the empire and was often seen as divine.
Step-by-step explanation:
At the top of the Inca social structure was the emperor, known as the Sapa Inca. This individual wielded supreme power over the empire, encompassing both political and religious authority. The Sapa Inca was considered a divine ruler, often perceived as a god or a direct descendant of the sun god, Inti. While advised by a council of nobles, the emperor had the final say in matters of state and was responsible for upholding the order of the Incan society through strategic alliances, military conquests, and administrative governance.
Below the emperor were the high-ranking officials, often relatives or nobles from Cuzco, who constituted the nobility class. They served on a council that advised the emperor and played a role in selecting his successor. Priests also played a significant role but were not at the very top of the social hierarchy. The majority of the population were peasants, which made up approximately 98 percent of the society, who worked the lands and supported the empire's infrastructure.