Men's Roles In Mayan Society

The Maya was a very impressive civilisation located in the Yucatan area of Mexico. It was made up of different city-states, each ruled by an independent leader. All the city-states followed the same culture, systems and social hierarchy. This hierarchy was significant in how everyday life was like for the Maya civilisation. Each ranking had a different role to play in society. The respect, work, luxuries and privileges received were varied, and dependant on social class and gender.
The independent leaders of each city-state were referred to as kings, and were the highest authority. Kings were deeply respected and thought to be working for the Mayan gods. The second most powerful class were the nobles and priests. They had a lot of influence

For example, women carried out all of the domestic duties, including raising children, preparing food, caring for pets and making clothing. Women also created different craft items for household use or for trade. Women dressed in simple clothing for domestic work, such as an off-the-shoulder, loose tunic and an ankle-length skirt. Accessories included wrist cuffs, a necklace of beads, and a simple headband (Seated Female Figure, 6th-9th century). Men, however, never performed any domestic work. Hunting was a male occupation, and boys learned basic hunting skills from a young age. Women foraged for berries, tubers and other

Both genders shared the agricultural process. A man would dig or plough a field while his wife sowed seeds or collected the harvest. Men served in the military and were expected to learn the basics of warfare to serve their ruler in battle. Their wife’s role was to help them prepare for battle. Women participated in blood sacrifices to the gods to ensure the safe return of their husbands. Most girls even learned how to participate in ritual practices when they were young (Grahame, 2017). Men normally became king, but rare exceptions existed where a woman of noble birth held all the titles and symbols of kingship. Wives and mothers within the higher ranking families were able to influence government decisions. These women took on public roles, with all the wealth and respect similar positions had.
The social structure of the Mayan civilization heavily influenced the way people lived, as the respect, work, luxuries and privileges that they received were varied, and depended on social class and gender. Higher ranked classes lived an overall better life than lower ranks. Kings, nobles and priests lived lives of admiration and wealth, while slaves were regarded as lesser people with harder work. Men and women had different expectations in society, ultimately deciding their benefits in society. It is safe to say that the Mayan social structure established a very imbalanced life for