Who was the legendary first Inca emperor?

The legendary first Inca emperor was Manco Cápac. He is traditionally remembered as the founder of the Inca civilization and the first ruler of the Kingdom of Cusco.

In Inca origin traditions, Manco Cápac appears in two major stories. One describes him and Mama Ocllo emerging from Lake Titicaca after being sent by the Sun god, Inti. Another places him among the Ayar siblings, who emerged from a sacred cave at Pacaritambo. Both traditions connect him with the establishment of Cusco.

Manco Cápac’s legendary role was more foundational than imperial in the later, vast-empires sense of the word. The early Inca polity was centered on the Cusco Valley; centuries later, rulers such as Pachacuti dramatically expanded it into the Tawantinsuyu. Manco Cápac was traditionally succeeded by his son, Sinchi Roca.

He is sometimes confused with Manco Inca Yupanqui, a much later ruler who led the Neo-Inca State during resistance to Spanish conquest. They were different historical figures.