Maya city-states

Timeline

1. c. 250–350Tikal · GuatemalaCentral cities such as Tikal established hereditary dynastic rule; ahau proclaimed sacred kingship through accession ceremonies, stele inscriptions, and temple construction, while surrounding settlements maintained subordinate relations through tribute and corvée labor.
2. c. 350–500Calakmul · CampecheTikal and Calakmul engaged in prolonged military confrontation, competing for lowland hegemony through networks of vassal city-states, marriage alliances, and "superstate" strategies; inscriptions detail wars and captive rituals.
3. c. 400–500Maya cultural area · Maya regionCity-states exchanged goods through long-distance trade in jade, obsidian, salt, cacao, and pottery; the tribute system concentrated agricultural surplus and luxury goods among the elite, supporting pyramid construction and court life.