Ancient Maya government was formed on the basis that rulers were thought to have been god-like, which to some might suggest one unified state. However, the consensus amongst anthropologists supports that each major Maya city remained its own independent and sovereign entity with its own unique struggles for political power. The Maya belief in god-like rulers also made it important to keep the line of power in the family, which would occasionally include a woman ruler.
More about: Maya GovernmentDefinition
Timeline
-
250 CE - 950 CEThe Classic Maya Period which saw the height of the Maya Civilization in cities such as Chichen Itza, Palenque, Tikal, Copan and Uxmal.
-
426 CE - 437 CEReign of the first named Copan ruler K'inich Yax K'uk Mo.
-
615 CE - 683 CEReign of Kinich Janaab Pacal I or Pakal the Great, king of Maya Palenque.
-
682 CE - 734 CEReign of Jasaw Chan K'awiil at Tikal.
-
850 CE - 925 CEUxmal establishes itself as the capital of the Puuc region of Yucatan.
-
950 CE - 1524 CEThe Post-Classic Period in which the cities were abandoned and the region was invaded by the Spanish conquerors.
-
Jul 1524 CEThe Battle of Utatlan in which the last Maya resistance is crushed by the conquistador Pedro de Alvarado. Traditional date of the end of the Maya Civilization.
