Cities -- the Maya and Essay

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 642 words ( 2 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 6

Page 1 of 2



Yaxuna, a city founded during the Middle Preclassic period, around 500 B.C., was a subordinate city. Just because it was a subordinate, however, it was strategically important. Linking the large central cities with the Northern metropolises, in addition to occupying an important position along a central trade route, Yaxuna quickly became pulled back and forth by the struggling major powers (Shuler and Freidel, 1998: 29). Although less powerful than some of its geographically distant peers, Yaxuna was the largest city in the central northern lowlands (Shuler and Freidel, 1998: 30). The city was torn apart at least twice due to trans-peninsula warfare. Although Yazuna did not have diplomatic relations with Chichen Itxa, its powerful neighbor to the far north, it did share diplomatic relationships with several other northernmost cities. Its place in the Mayan world, however, seemed to be dictated by power struggles and warfare, a pawn in the struggle between larger powers (Shuler and Freidel, 1998: 29-30).

Stuck Writing Your "Cities -- the Maya And" Essay?

View All Our Example Cities -- the Maya and Essay

Have A Custom Example Essay Written



While Yaxuna's role in the Mayan world certainly suggested its importance, as well as shedding light on a complex political system, it was, by no means, unique. In Mesopotamia, the city of Mashkan-shapir shared a role similar to Yaxuna's. Like Yaxuna, Mashkan-shapir was politically and geographically in the middle of two warning cities, Isin and Larsa. Although Mashkan-shapir was founded near the third millennium B.C., it was not until 2000, when these power struggles began, that the city gained much importance. Also like Yaxuna, Mashkan-shapir was an important economic center. In fact, after Larsa's victory, Mashkan-shapir kept its position of importance, eventually gaining the status of a second capital city for the region (Stone and Zimansky, 1995: 120). Thus, Yaxuna teaches archeologists and students of history much about power in ancient civilizations. The Mayan power struggles remind students of history that polarity issues between viable hegemons have always existed, even before modern statehood. The existence of.....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Cities -- The Maya And" (2008, December 08) Retrieved June 15, 2026, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/cities-maya-26021

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Cities -- The Maya And" 08 December 2008. Web.15 June. 2026. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/cities-maya-26021>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Cities -- The Maya And", 08 December 2008, Accessed.15 June. 2026,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/cities-maya-26021
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example