Mayan Hierarchy
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Mayan Hierarchy. Social Hierarchy. A Mayan Warrior. A Mayan Priest. Social Hierarchy. King and ruling family Priests Hereditary nobility (from which came the merchant class) Warriors Professionals and artisans Peasants Slaves. Social Hierarchy. King and ruling family
Mayan Hierarchy
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Social Hierarchy A Mayan Warrior A Mayan Priest
Social Hierarchy • King and ruling family • Priests • Hereditary nobility (from which came the merchant class) • Warriors • Professionals and artisans • Peasants • Slaves
Social Hierarchy • King and ruling family • Ruled from the city-kingdoms such as Tikal • Ruled by semi-divine right and believed their connection with the gods was maintained by ritual human sacrifice • Often had names associated with the jaguar • Called themselves Halach Unich • Often rebuilt temples as a means to ensure their position in perpetuity. A Mayan King
This picture shows a ceremonial depiction of a Halach Unic. • The various animals and accoutrements represent specific powers and attributes that the rulers felt they had or wanted people to believe they had.
Priests • Priests • Maintained an elaborate calendar and transmitted knowledge of writing, astronomy, and mathematics
Social Hierarchy • Hereditary nobility (from which came the merchant class) • Owned most of the land and cooperated with the kings and priests by organizing military forces and participating in religious rituals • Warriors • Mayan kingdoms fought constantly with each other and warriors won tremendous prestige by capturing high-ranking enemies • Captives were usually made slaves, humiliated, tortured, and ritually sacrificed
Social Hierarchy • Professionals and artisans • Architects and sculptors supervised construction of the large monuments and public buildings • Peasants • Fed the entire society • Slaves • Provided physical labor for the construction of cities and monuments • Often had been captured in battle