Question

Why were members of the upper class in Maya society

Answer 1

The king held the highest position in society and priests, warriors, and merchants were also part of the upper class. The Maya believed their rulers were related to gods. Rulers were involved in religious ceremonies, led battles, had beautiful clothing/jewelry, and Kings wore huge feather headdresses and capes of cotton, jaguar skins, and feathers. Priests led religious ceremonies and were the most educated. Warriors fought battles with animal headdresses, jade jewels, and jaguar skin capes on their red and black painted bodies. Merchants directed trade among the cities and organized the transportation and distribution of goods. Together the members of the upper class controlled the politics, religion, and ceremony.