Olmec Politics
Below is a picture of an ancient Olmec city. This picture truly depicts the intricacy of Olmec application of geometric shapes (namely squares) in architecture.
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From the beginning of Olmec civilization in San Lorenzo, everyone began at around the same social standing, with the main focus on agriculture and no centralized government discernible from the society’s overall organization. That said, over time, certain families naturally gained more wealth and power than others, claiming the best land and exerting their new found influence over the others. These few families of greater power evolved to become what might have been the first aristocratic social system in the area of Mesoamerica.
Regardless, it was apparent there was a superior or elite group controlling the labor of the masses soon enough. It should be noted that the role of priest or shaman and the role of ruler often intersected; the overlap was so great that as time passed the leaders of Olmec civilization were consolidated into the single hybrid role of shaman-king. The absolute power of these religious rulers was justified by their divine authority from the gods, which granted them god-given abilities and sweeping influence in Olmec civilization.
The elevated status of these shaman-kings gave them many privileges forbidden to workers and the masses. Olmec cities were designated to house only the elite, with the rest of the populace relegated to living outside in the outskirts of the surrounding area and laboring to maintain the cities and give tributes of their produce and goods to the rulers. Even in death, the ruling elite were glorified and given magnificent burial ceremonies. In contrast to all of this, the farming majority were deprived of such ceremony, and were overall boxed into a lower class that was far divided from the luxurious ruling class.
Regardless, it was apparent there was a superior or elite group controlling the labor of the masses soon enough. It should be noted that the role of priest or shaman and the role of ruler often intersected; the overlap was so great that as time passed the leaders of Olmec civilization were consolidated into the single hybrid role of shaman-king. The absolute power of these religious rulers was justified by their divine authority from the gods, which granted them god-given abilities and sweeping influence in Olmec civilization.
The elevated status of these shaman-kings gave them many privileges forbidden to workers and the masses. Olmec cities were designated to house only the elite, with the rest of the populace relegated to living outside in the outskirts of the surrounding area and laboring to maintain the cities and give tributes of their produce and goods to the rulers. Even in death, the ruling elite were glorified and given magnificent burial ceremonies. In contrast to all of this, the farming majority were deprived of such ceremony, and were overall boxed into a lower class that was far divided from the luxurious ruling class.