Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui was the ninth Sapa Inca (1438 - 1471-72) of the Kingdom of Cusco which he transformed into the Inca Empire (Tawantinsuyu). Most archaeologists now believe that the famous Inca site of Machu Picchu was built as an estate for Pachacuti. During his reign, Cusco grew from a hamlet into an empire that could compete with, and eventually overtake, the Chim繳. He began an era of conquest that, within three generations, expanded the Inca dominion from the valley of Cusco to nearly the whole of western South America. He built irrigating channels, cultivated terraces, made roads and hospices. The Road of the Inca stretched from Quito to Chile. Due to the remarkable expansion of their domains he was considered an exceptional leader, enlivening glorious epic stories and hymns in tribute to his achievements. Image taken from page 82 of "Recuerdos de la Monarquia Peruana, 籀 bosquejo de la historia de los Incas, etc" by Justo Sahuaraura, 1850.