How was Maya society predominantly organized?

Maya society was predominantly organized into city-states ruled by individual kings, which is recognized as a defining characteristic of their civilization. Each city-state, known as a "kingdom," functioned independently and was often composed of a central urban area surrounded by smaller settlements. These city-states would engage in trade, warfare, and diplomacy with each other, and they each had their own ruling dynasty, governance structures, and religious practices.

This organization allowed for the development of diverse cultural practices and languages across different regions, reflecting the distinct identities of various city-states. Major cities like Tikal, Palenque, and Copán operated under their own political systems, with local rulers who held significant power and control over their territories.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately represent the complexity of Maya society. Rather than being a unified empire, the Maya were fragmented into multiple, often competing city-states. They were also not organized in small nomadic groups, as their civilization is characterized by settled agricultural communities with monumental architecture. Additionally, while some tribal societies may operate as federations, the Maya's intricate political setup reflected their unique social structure, rather than a loose alliance of tribes.