How did the Mayan government and social classes impact the Mayans culture and daily lives?

The Mayans developed a hierarchical government ruled by kings and priests. Each city had its ruling family.

Mayan society was divided between the elite and commoners.

The elite included members of the ruling families and higher priests. They were typically situated near the temples in the city center and their homes were built of stone.

Commoners included: farmers, servants, laborers and slaves. They payed taxes to the elite in form of goods (such as maize). Most Maya belonged to the lower class. The Maya belief in god-like rulers also made it important to keep the line of power in the family. There were usually 5-7 members in a Maya low class family. A whole family lived together, including children and grandparents. Boys and men usually did lot of the farm work and planting of corps, and also hunting and fishing. Maya women did the clothing work and preparing of meals.

There was also the middle class: traders, merchants, soldiers, low ranking priests. The middle class was further from the city center, with homes made of wattle and daub. The middle class was the main goods producer.