Question

What role did claims of descent play in the formation of social differentiation and the rise of complex societies in South America? What sorts of claims of descent were made by nobility among the Chimu and the Inca? How might such claims backfire on those who made them?

Answer 1

Claims of descent were crucial for establishing social hierarchy in South American societies such as the Chimu and Inca, but they risked conflict if the ruler's legitimacy was challenged.

Step-by-step explanation:

Claims of descent played a significant role in the formation of social differentiation and the rise of complex societies in South America. Amongst the Chimu and the Inca, nobility often made claims of descent to reinforce their authority, legitimacy, and to create a distinct division between the ruling elite and the common people. The Inca, for instance, claimed descent from the Sun god Inti, which served to justify their rulers' status and bolster the political structure of the empire. However, such claims could backfire if a ruler lacked the qualities or leadership expected of someone of 'divine' ancestry or if rival factions questioned the authenticity of the descent, leading to challenges to their authority and potential conflict.