Which treats of the order they adopted in the payments of tribute by the provinces to the kings, and of the system by which the tribute was regulated

The Inca Empire's tribute system, as described in the 'Chronicle of Peru,' reveals a meticulous and adaptive approach to resource extraction from conquered provinces. A notable finding is the initial reliance on unconventional tribute items, such as live lice, which signified both the empire's ingenuity and its demand for contributions, even from the most resource-poor communities. This system evolved over time as provinces transitioned to more sustainable forms of tribute, like livestock and textiles. The study suggests that the Incas employed a network of royal roads—specifically four major routes—to administer this system efficiently, ensuring that tribute was collected uniformly across their vast empire. This method underscores the empire's organizational sophistication and its ability to integrate diverse regions into a cohesive economic framework.

(Ed.). (2010). Which treats of the order they adopted in the payments of tribute by the provinces to the kings, and of the system by which the tribute was regulated. The Second Part of the Chronicle of Peru, 51–56. https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511697692.018