Inca Mythology: Intriguing Myths of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, and Andean Legends (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798258372451)

High in the Andes, the Inca built one of the most sophisticated empires in human history. They did so without the wheel, iron tools, or a written alphabet. Instead, their universe was bound together by a sacred thread of storytelling, cosmic order, and an unbreakable bond between the human and the divine.

In Inca Mythology: Intriguing Myths of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, and Andean Legends, researcher and author Samuel M. Goldstein unravels the mystical worldview of Tawantinsuyu-the Realm of the Four Quarters. This comprehensive guide journeys beyond the stones of Machu Picchu to reveal the living, breathing legends that shaped a continent-spanning civilization.

From the primordial emergence of the creator god Viracocha from the dark waters of Lake Titicaca to the tragic, forbidden romance of the warrior Ollantay, this book offers a deeply researched and captivating exploration of Andean folklore, political myths, and spiritual traditions.

Inside, you will discover:

• How Viracocha shaped the world, commanded the sun into the sky, and breathed life into the first peoples of the earth.

• The powerful political myths that justified the Sapa Inca's divine right to rule and fueled the expansion of a global empire.

• The complex and dramatic relationships between Inti (the Sun Father), Mama Killa (the Silver Moon), and Pachamama (the avenging and nurturing Earth Mother).

• Enchanting stories of trickster foxes, mountain witches, and celestial llamas that highlight the everyday lives, fears, and values of the Andean people.

• A thrilling prose adaptation of the famous ancient Inca drama featuring rebellion, forbidden passion, and imperial mercy.

Whether you are a student of history, a lover of ancient mythology, or a traveler seeking to understand the sacred geography of the Sacred Valley, this book provides the essential cultural context needed to truly understand the Children of the Sun.