Who typically performed public blood sacrifices in Maya culture?

In Maya culture, public blood sacrifices were primarily conducted by priests or the king. This practice was deeply embedded in their religious and societal structure, as these individuals were considered intermediaries between the gods and the people. The priests held specialized knowledge of ritual procedures, maintaining the sacred traditions and ensuring that sacrifices were performed correctly to appease deities and secure favor, such as agricultural fertility or victory in warfare.

The role of the king, often viewed as both a political leader and a divine figure, also played a crucial part in these rituals. Kings would sometimes perform public sacrifices to reinforce their power and divine legitimacy, demonstrating their connection to the supernatural and securing their authority among the populace.

In contrast, common people, warriors, and merchants primarily did not perform these high-stakes rituals. Common people were often the recipients of the societal and religious frameworks established by the priests and kings, while warriors were typically engaged in matters of defense and conquest rather than rituals. Merchants were focused on trade and economics, not directly involved in the religious practices that required officiating sacrifices. Thus, the correct answer reflects the established socio-religious hierarchy central to the context of Maya civilization.