MAYAN CIVILIZATION (PART 3): Government System

 

MAYAN CIVILIZATION (PART 3): GOVERNMENT SYSTEM

The Maya were never a single empire under the rule of a single king. They were always a collection of city states that existed at the same time, and traded amongst. each other, with their own independent governments.

City-States

 

The Maya they had a well-developed political system with a mix of political complexity that included both states and chiefdoms. Each city state had its own government. A city-state was made up of a major city and the surrounding areas which sometimes included some smaller settlements and cities.

 

Throughout the Maya era, the Maya remained in separate polities and did not unite as one empire.



Pic: A king surrounded by his council of advisors


 

Political Hierarchy

 

The Maya had a four-tiered political hierarchy. At the top were the king and his administration in major cities. Following the main city were a small group of vassal city-states, with nobility in charge. After that were affiliated villages, ruled by minor nobility.


The fourth tier consisted of hamlets, which were all or mostly residential and devoted to agriculture.






 Pic: Political Hierarchy in Maya Period




Kings

 

Mayan cities were ruled by KINGS. The Mayan kings claimed descent from the gods and planets, and believed they needed to have a divine status, somewhere between humans and gods. It was a patriarchal society with the King’s son inheriting the throne. The King was the supreme head of the military. He also had to participate in many religious rituals

 

Men weren’t the only people who were allowed to rule. On occasion, women would rule when the king wasn’t yet of age, when a king was away at war, or if a king was unavailable for some other reason.

 

 

The rule of K’inich Janaab’ Pakal the Great, or Janaab’ Pakal I,  of the Late-classic city of Palenque was one of great  acclaim. There are at least two notable female rulers of Palenque which include Lady Yohl Ik’nal and Lady Sak K’uk. Another Queen, Lady K’abal of Waká was given the moniker of kaloomte, or “supreme warlord,” by her city. This suggests that she may have taken part in battles.



Pic: Death Mask of King Kinich Janab

 

Priests

 

Religion was extremely important for the Mayans, hence priests enjoyed an important position in the society. The Kings often came to the priests for advice in crisis. The priests thus enjoyed a great influence on the kings and how they ruled.

 

Laws

 

The Mayans had very strict laws and all citizens abide by them. There were severe punishments if anyone broke a law. There was a court made of local leaders or nobles, who served punishment according to the crime. The king or priest sometimes served a judge in some cases. 

 

Punishments for crimes included slavery, death and fines. The commoners also paid taxes to support the kings and nobles. 

 

Even the nobles were supposed to follow the laws. In fact, nobles got harsher punishments than common people if they broke a law. 



Pic: Slaves punished 



REFERENCES:

1. History.com
2. Britannica
3. Ducksters
4. Ancient.eu
5. Wikipedia
6. uidaho.edu



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