Culture, Language, and Religion

The Inca spoke Quechua, a language which everyone learned to keep unity in the kingdom, but there was no form of writing. Quipu Camayocs passed down the history, language, religion, and legends orally. Romans spoke Latin, and had a written language, although immigrants didn't always speak Latin. The Inca used Quipus to count and keep track of things, from food to populations of people. Romans had their own number system, the Roman numeral. Both empires had knowledgeable surgeons and doctors.

Inca believed in life after death, and highly respected their ancestors. In fact, they respected them so much that after they died and were mummified, they were still part of the household. Mummies were given food and brought out for important religious ceremonies. Rome also honoured their dead and had cults and mythology. Romans were very superstitious. Armies even refused to go to battle if the omens were bad. Both civilizations built temples for their many gods, and sacrificed. The Inca rarely sacrificed humans though, except for the religious ball game Tlachtli, which determined the team to be given to their gods. Romans sacrificed food. Prayer for the Romans was confusing because often they were told that they could only pray to certain gods for certain things.
The Inca and Romans made art, jewelery, and built magnificent monuments. In fact, Rome's Colosseum and Inca's Machu Picchu are part of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Inca grew potatoes, squash, Lima beans, peanuts, peppers, tomatoes, and raised llama for meat, transporting goods, and clothing. They used vertical farming, terraces, and canal systems to farm. The Romans raised wheat, olives, grapes, cows, sheep, and goats.