Who ruled the Mayans?

The Mayan civilization was complex and hierarchical, with a political system that was divided into several levels of leadership. The Mayan political system was a combination of a monarchy, nobility, and religious authority, with each level playing a specific role in the administration of the city-state.

At the top of the political hierarchy was the king, who was seen as a religious and political leader. The king was responsible for making major decisions, such as going to war or making peace with neighboring city-states. He also held significant economic power and controlled the distribution of land and resources. The king was often a member of a ruling family and passed on his power to his descendants.

Under the king were the nobles, who were responsible for overseeing the day-to-day administration of the city-state. The nobles held land, had control over the common people, and were responsible for maintaining order and collecting taxes. They also represented the king in their local regions and had the authority to make decisions on his behalf.

Priests also held significant power and influence in Mayan society. They were responsible for maintaining the religious order and conducting ceremonies and sacrifices, and they were seen as intermediaries between the gods and the people. The priests also held a significant amount of political power, as they had the authority to interpret the will of the gods and make decisions based on religious considerations.

In addition to the political hierarchy, the Mayan political system also included a complex system of bureaucracy, with officials responsible for various tasks, such as collecting taxes, maintaining public works, and overseeing the administration of justice.

Overall, the Mayan political system was complex and hierarchical, with each level of leadership playing a specific role in the administration of the city-state.

Source: 

https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/mayan-civilization

https://www.worldhistory.org/Maya_Government/