Ancient Maya Politics
A Political Anthropology of the Classic Period 150-900 CE
Published on 9. June 2022
Book
Paperback/Softback
544 pages
978-1-108-70523-3 (ISBN)
Description
The Classic Maya have long presented scholars with vexing problems. One of the longest running and most contested of these, and the source of deeply polarized interpretations, has been their political organization. Using recently deciphered inscriptions and fresh archaeological finds, Simon Martin argues that this particular debate can be laid to rest. He offers a comprehensive re-analysis of the issue in an effort to answer a simple question: how did a multitude of small kingdoms survive for some six hundred years without being subsumed within larger states or empires? Using previously unexploited comparative and theoretical approaches, Martin suggests mechanisms that maintained a 'dynamic equilibrium' within a system best understood not as an array of individual polities but an interactive whole. With its rebirth as text-backed historical archaeology, Maya studies has entered a new phase, one capable of building a political anthropology as robust as any other we have for the ancient world.
Reviews / Votes
'... a comprehensive overview of Maya political institutions ... Martin offers some valuable insights likely to be of use to those with an interest in comparative history and the global evolution of political institutions, diplomacy, war and conflict.' A. A. Nofi, The NYMAS Review 'Ancient Maya Politics provides a record of the political system and history of the Classic Period of Maya civilization, from 400 BCE to 200 CE and through its decline after 800 CE ... Strongly recommended for specialists in Mesoamerican history and society.' E. N. Anderson, Choice 'Already accumulating accolades and awards, Ancient Maya Politics brings Maya Studies into conversation not only with political anthropology but also Indigenous Studies, historical archaeology, comparative politics, and many other fields. This is a transformative work and a genuinely important one.' Traci Ardren, Latin American Antiquity 'This book is a tour de force about Classic Maya political history ...' Lisa J. Lucero, Journal of Interdisciplinary HistoryMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises; 8 Tables, black and white; 9 Maps; 24 Halftones, black and white; 57 Line drawings, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 253 mm
Width: 175 mm
Thickness: 31 mm
Weight
952 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-108-70523-3 (9781108705233)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Simon Martin is an Associate Curator and Keeper at the Penn Museum and Adjunct Associate Professor of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania. He is the co-author of Chronicle of the Maya Kings and Queens (2008) and Courtly Art of the Ancient Maya (2004). He is currently the 2019-2020 Kislak Chair for the Study of the History and Cultures of the Early Americas at the Library of Congress, Washington DC.
Content
1. Introduction: the questions; Part I. Agendas in Classic Maya Politics: 2. Modelling the Maya; 3. On archaeopolitics; 4. Worlds in words; Part II. Epigraphic Data on Classic Maya Politics: 5. Identity; 6. Constitution; 7. Transcendence; 8. Matrimony; 9. Conflict; 10. Hierarchy; 11. Coda; Part III. A Political Anthropology of the Classic Maya; 12. Classic Maya networks; 13. Defining classic Maya political culture; 14. Hegemony in practice and theory; 15. Summary and conclusions: a society of kings.