During the Classic period, they practiced K'uhul Ajaw, which translates to "Holy Lords," to promote a system of competitive states substantiated by religious, military and political power that was heavily dependent on political ideology and the power of religion and ritual. Huge ceremonies occurred in great plazas and patronage networks were developed to supply sacred goods and feast provisions. During the Post-Classic period, power was more distributed and divided; status-enhancing ideology was relatively reduced. The economies shifted to a more long-distance exchange of commodities.
