How did power become centralized across independent Mayan city-states?

Question

A. Mayan people became discontented with the king and created their own central government
B. as the empire expanded, those with political and religious power became leaders and ruled with other city-states
C. as the empire expanded, city-states fell due to increasing government expenses
D. as city-states fell, centralized Spanish authority took over

Answer 1

The most accurate answer would be B. as the empire expanded, those with political and religious power became leaders and ruled with other city-states.

The ancient Mayan civilization operated as a series of independent city-states, but as political and military alliances formed, leaders who held religious and political power were able to establish influence over multiple city-states, leading to a degree of centralization. This process was often facilitated by marriages, warfare, and the establishment of trade relationships among the various city-states.