The sapa inca was believed to be descended from the sun god inti, and was worshipped by his people as a god. traditionally, the sapa inca married his eldest sister, who became known as the coya.” —hazel richardson, life in ancient south america which statement is true of the person discussed in the passage? silver, considered the “sweat of the sun,” served as the symbol of the sapa inca. he was the nominal head of the incas, with the real power residing in the coya. he kept the people fed and public works projects staffed using a labor tax. he had claim over the herds and mines of his empire but not over land and people.