Palenque, also anciently known in the Itza Language as Lakamhaʼ, was a Maya city state in southern Mexico that perished in the 8th century. The Palenque ruins date from ca. 226 BC to ca. 799 AD. After its decline, it was overgrown by the jungle of cedar, mahogany, and sapodilla trees, but has since been excavated and restored. It is located near the Usumacinta River in the Mexican state of Chiapas, about 130 km south of Ciudad del Carmen, 150 meters (490 ft) above sea level. It averages a humid 26°C (79°F) with roughly 2,160 millimeters (85 in) of rain a year.
Kʼinich Janaab Pakal I, also known as Pacal or Pacal the Great, was ajaw of the Maya city-state of Palenque in the Late Classic period of pre-Columbian Mesoamerican chronology. He acceded to the throne in July 615 and ruled until his death. Pakal reigned 68 years—the fifth-longest verified regnal period of any sovereign monarch in history, the longest in world history for more than a millennium, and still the longest of any residing monarch in the history of the Americas. During his reign, Pakal was responsible for the construction or extension of some of Palenque's most notable surviving inscriptions and monumental architecture. Pakal is perhaps best known in popular culture for his depiction on the carved lid of his sarcophagus, which has become the subject of pseudoarchaeological speculations.
Sak Kʼukʼ also known as Muwaan Mat, Lady Sak Kʼukʼ and Lady Beastie, was queen of the Maya city-state of Palenque. She acceded to the throne in October, 612 and ruled until 615.
Kʼinich Kan Bahlam II, also known as Chan Bahlum II, was ajaw of the Maya city-state of Palenque. He acceded to the throne in January, 684, several months after the death of his father and predecessor, Kʼinich Janaab Pakal I and ruled until his death.
Yohl Ikʼnal, also known as Lady Kan Ik and Lady Kʼanal Ikʼnal, was queen regnant of the Maya city-state of Palenque. She acceded to the throne on 23 December 583, and ruled until her death.
Kʼinich Ahkal Moʼ Nahb III also known as Chaacal III and Akul Anab III,, was an ajaw of the Maya city of Palenque. He took the throne on 30 December 721, reigning until c.736.
Kʼinich Kʼan Joy Chitam II, also known as Kan Xul II and Kʼan Hokʼ Chitam On II, October 31, 644 – c.721, was an ajaw of the Maya city of Palenque. He took the throne on May 28, 702 (9.13.10.6.8), reigning until c.721. He succeeded his elder brother Kʼinich Kan Bahlam II. Their father was Kʼinich Janaab Pakal I, who had ruled for 68 years, and their mother was Lady Tzʼakbu Ajaw. His possible brother could be Tiwol Chan Mat. Kʼinich Kʼan Joy Chitam apparently reigned for about nine years. He was captured by the Toniná in 711 and was possibly executed by their leader, Kʼinich Baaknal Chaak or was later restored to his kingship. He was succeeded in late 721 by Kʼinich Ahkal Moʼ Nahb III.
Maya kings were the centers of power for the Maya civilization. Each Maya city-state was controlled by a dynasty of kings. The position of king was usually inherited by the oldest son.
During the 7th and 8th centuries in Mesoamerica, there was an evident shift in the roles women played in ancient Maya society as compared with the previous two centuries. It was during this time that there was a great deal of political complexity seen both in Maya royal houses as well as in the Maya area. Warfare was a significant factor in political competition and marriage was one of the ways that alliances were made between the different polities. This was accompanied by a shift in women's roles from wife and mother to playing integral parts in courtly life, such as participating in rituals involving the supernatural world and at times ruling individual polities.
Kʼan Moʼ Hix,, was a nobleman of the Maya city-state of Palenque. He was husband of Sak Kʼukʼ, queen of Palenque, and father of Kʼinich Janaab Pakal I, who was one of the greatest rulers of Palenque and was responsible for the construction or extension of some of Palenque's most notable surviving inscriptions and monumental architecture. He could be a possible father of Ajen Yohl Mat.
Janaab Pakal III, also known as 6 Cimi Pakal,, was an ajaw of the Maya city of Palenque. He acceded to the throne in November, 799. He was probably last ruler of Palenque and his glyph name comes from blackware vase found in the residential quarter of city.
Kʼinich Kan Bahlam III,, was an ajaw of the Maya city of Palenque. He ruled c.751. Ruler is not mentioned in any monument at Palenque but only one text at Pomona, that suggest his reign was short or troubled.
Kʼinich Janaab Pakal II, also known as Upakal Kʼinich,, was an ajaw of the Maya city of Palenque. He ruled c.742 and he was probably brother of Kʼinich Ahkal Moʼ Nahb III. There are only few details about his reign like Bodega no. 1144 and portraits on a stucco-covered pier from Temple 19, only date from his reign is from 742, when he installed lord into important office.
Animal Headdress, was ajaw ("lord") of the Maya city-state of Tikal. He was father of his successor Sihyaj Chan K'awiil I and husband of Lady Skull.
Animal Skull, also known as Lizard Head, Animal Skull II and Ete II, was an ajaw of the Maya city of Tikal. He took the throne after 562, reigning until c. 593. He was a son of Fire Cross and Lady Hand Sky of Bahlam.
23rd Ruler was an ajaw of the Maya city of Tikal. He ruled in around the year 635. Information about this ajaw and his successor 24th Ruler are scarce. K'inich Muwaan Jol II is estimated to have been 23rd or 24th Ruler because he could have been the father of the 25th ajaw Nuun Ujol Chaak.
24th Ruler was an ajaw of the Maya city of Tikal. He ruled in around the year 645. Information about this ajaw and his predecessor 23rd Ruler are scarce. K'inich Muwaan Jol II is estimated to be the best candidate for the 23rd or 24th Ruler as might have been the father of 25th ajaw Nuun Ujol Chaak.
Nuun Ujol Chaak also known as Shield Skull and Nun Bak Chak, was an ajaw of the major Maya city of Tikal. He took the throne before 657 and reigned probably until his death.
28th Ruler was an ajaw of the Maya city of Tikal. He ruled c.766-768. Little is known about this ruler. He was a son of 27th ruler of Tikal Yik'in Chan K'awiil and elder brother of his successor 29th ruler Yax Nuun Ahiin II.
Dark Sun, was an ajaw of the Maya city of Tikal. He ruled c. 810 and was probably the son of Nuun Ujol K'inich. The monuments associated with Dark Sun are: Stela 24; Altar 7; Temple 3 Lintel 2?.
