A discussion of ancient Maya politics in the context of anthropologist Simon Martin’s 2020 book “Ancient Maya Politics: A Political Anthropology of the Classic Period 150–900 CE.” Martin has taken the lead in understanding the politics of the Classic Maya (150900 A.D.) based on deciphering their hieroglyphic script. Much of this work focuses on the complex hierarchies between individual kings and the ideology that enabled and sustained that order.

For transcript and more information, visit https://www.loc.gov/item/webcast9822