Mayan Government: The Mayan’s had a hierarchy government system run by Kings and Priests. They lived in Cities, totally independent from others, and these consisted of rural communities, and urban ceremonial centers. These were VERY large. There was no “military” per say, but there were warriors that played an important role in religion, land power, and Prestige. Religion was tightly woven into society, and was a massive unifying factor for this civilization.
The social hierarchy: The social hierarchy consisted of about 4 levels; nobles, commoners, serfs, and slaves.
The noble class was extremely complex and specialized. The status of noble, and job of a noble, was passed mainly through noble blood. The nobles served as rulers, government officials, “military” leaders, high priests, crop managers, and many more. The nobles were literate, and lived in the middle of the Mayan cities.
Commoners were the people who worked as farmers, servants, and laborers. Even though it is highly unlikely, the commoners sometimes became wealthy because of their jobs as merchants and artisans. Commoners in the “Military” could achieve noble status through rising in rank, or drop down if unworthy. If a commoner made noble wage, he was still not allowed to dress as a noble, or buy exotic luxury items. Commoners usually lived on the outskirts towns, or cities, and could own communal land.
Serfs & Slaves: Serf’s were the “low” commoners, which usually worked the lands of the ruler or town leader. Slaves were formed as a form of punishment for certain crimes and not paying back the debt they owed. P.O.W.’s if not sacrificed to the Gods, would be made a slave and serve until death. The slave status was not passed down through blood, but if a child was unwanted, or orphaned, they would become a slave, or be sacrificed. Slaves would either be sold, or most likely sacrificed if their owners passed away, so they could continue serving their ruler after death. If a man married a slave, he would become the slave of the woman’s owner. The same goes for the opposite sex.

How did the Mayan civilization die out? From the late eighth through the end of the ninth century, something unknown happened to shake the Maya civilization to its foundations. One by one, the Classic cities in the southern lowlands were abandoned, and by A.D. 900, Mayan civilization in that region had collapsed.
There are MANY different theories on what exactly happened to them. They had become the most sophisticated culture in all of Mesoamerica (Central America and Mexico) and randomly decided to check out, and disappear. Although the Mayan culture did not COMPLETELY die out, the ruins are the main things and almost only things that we know about the culture.
Some of the theories are the Spanish flu is what killed them off. The only problem with this theory, is that the