What did the Inca use as weapons?

What did the Inca use as weapons?

Weapons differed depending on the ethnic origin of particular units but included hardwood spears launched using throwers, arrows, javelins, slings, the bolas, clubs, and maces with star-shaped heads made of copper or bronze.

What tools and weapons did the Inca use?

Copper and bronze were used for basic farming tools or weapons such as sharp sticks for digging club-heads knives with curved blades axes chisels needles and pins. The Incas had no iron or steel so their armor and weaponry consisted of helmets spears and battle-axes made of copper bronze and wood.

Did the Inca have a strong military?

The Incan military was as organized as it was powerful. It consisted of nearly 200,000 soldiers that served as a public service organization, bringing food and materials from one region of the country to another and trained specialists who would contribute to the growth of the empire.

What was Inca warfare like?

Bladed battle-axes were used, but they were not sharp enough to sever a limb. There were lances with points of bronze, copper or sharpened wood. Nothing had the penetrating power of iron or steel weapons. Incan combat was mostly about smashing rather than cutting, slicing or stabbing.

How did the Inca fight?

With hand-to-hand combat initiated, the Inca general would look to expose the enemy flanks (not unlike the classic “horns of the bull” formation). Generally, one third of the main body of the army would commit to the head-on assault with another third moving to attack both flanks; the rest would be held in reserve.

What made the Inca army so powerful?

The Inca army’s military effectiveness was based on two main elements: logistics and discipline. In order to facilitate the movement of their armies, the Incas built a vast road system. Staging areas were set along the roads so the troops and animals could rest and weapons could be obtained (Colcas).

What tactics did the Incas use?

Field tactics Before the hand-to-hand combat would start, in order to break the enemy’s lines the soldiers used ranged weapons (slings, arrows and short spears). The Incan army sometimes used to feign a retreat to be attacked while launching its own pincer attack.

Did the Inca use swords?

Initially, the Inca soldiers feared the horses and firearms of the Spanish, with this intimidation reducing their fighting efficiency. Soon, however, the soldiers forgot their fears and some Inca battalions even fought with swords and Spanish weapons and as cavalry units.