What was different about the first Mayans as compared to the Zapotec?

The Maya were the first Mesoamerican civilization, starting around 2600 B.C. They lasted the longest of all and are often viewed as the greatest Mesoamerican civilization. They built most of their great cities between A.D. 250 and A.D. 900. Although they were around first, the Maya only really rose to greatness in those later years after adopting much of their culture from the younger Olmec civilization. The Maya went on to leave behind a longer, more prosperous legacy, encompassing parts of Mexico, Guatamala, El Salvador, Belize, and Honduras. They were ruled by kings and priests and were not wiped out like some of the other cultures, but gradually dissipated. Their exact relationship with the Olmecs remains unclear.

honestly you should get that checked out because it really isn't normal

- a government ruled by the people, or assembly. officials monarchy - a single ruler like a king. over time some city-states, like athens would change governments. what this means is that all the citizens voted on all the laws.