Cápac

Cápac is a Quechua term that translates to "rich," "noble," or "powerful." It was a significant epithet used in the Inca Empire, particularly associated with royalty and high-ranking individuals. The most famous instance of its use is with Sapa Inca Pachacuti, whose full name was Pachacuti Cápac Inca. This title emphasized his immense wealth, his noble lineage, and his absolute power as the ruler of Tawantinsuyu, the Inca Empire.

The term Cápac was not merely descriptive; it carried connotations of divine right and immense responsibility. Those who bore the title were seen as divinely appointed leaders, entrusted with the prosperity and well-being of their people. It signified a status that transcended mere material wealth, encompassing spiritual and political authority. In Inca society, the concept of Cápac was deeply intertwined with the ruler's role as the intermediary between the human world and the divine. The use of Cápac underscored the Inca ideal of leadership, which combined magnanimity, strength, and a deep connection to the cosmic order.