AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
1min snip
#446 – Ed Barnhart: Maya, Aztec, Inca, and Lost Civilizations of South America
Lex Fridman Podcast
Revolution from Monarchy to Democracy
The transition from monarchic rule to a representative democracy among the Maya illustrates a significant societal evolution. Discontent with kings led to the establishment of a council system in Chichen Itza and subsequently at Mayapan, which operated through a League that included representatives from various communities across the Yucatan. This structure, akin to a congressional system, represented a collective governance model emerging around 1250 A.D., with identifiable families participating in this democracy. However, the inherent flaws of human conflict eventually resulted in the collapse of this system when familial disputes escalated into violence, culminating in the city's destruction.
00:00
Transcript
Episode notes
Get the Snipd
podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any
moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share
& Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode