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Maya monarchs, also known as Maya kings and queens, 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.
Maya kings felt the need to legitimize their claim to power. One of the ways to do this was to build a temple or pyramid. Tikal Temple I is a good example. This temple was built during the reign of Yikʼin Chan Kʼawiil. Another king named Kʼinich Janaabʼ Pakal would later carry out this same show of power when building the Temple of Inscriptions at Palenque. The Temple of Inscriptions still towers today amid the ruins of Palenque, as the supreme symbol of influence and power in Palenque.
Maya kings cultivated godlike personas. When a ruler died and left no heir to the throne, the result was usually war and bloodshed. King Pacal's precursor, Pacal I, died upon the battlefield. However, instead of the kingdom erupting into chaos, the city of Palenque, a Maya capital city in southern Mexico, invited in a young prince from a different city-state. The prince was only twelve years old.
Pacal and his predecessors not only built elaborate temples and pyramids. They expanded their city-state into a thriving empire. Under Yikʼin Chan Kʼawiil, Tikal conquered Calakmul and the other cities around Tikal, forming what could be referred to as a super city-state. Pacal achieved in creating a major center for power and development.
A Maya king was expected to be an excellent military leader. He would often carry out raids against rival city-states. The Maya kings also offered their own blood to the gods. The rulers were also expected to have a good mind to solve problems that the city might be facing, including war and food crises.
Maya kings were expected to ensure the gods received the prayers, praise and attention they deserved and to reinforce their divine lineage. [1] They did this by displaying public rituals such as processions through the streets of their cities. A more private ritual was that of blood sacrifice, which was done by Lords and their wives. [2]
Name/Glyph | Image | Born | Reigned from | Reigned until | Death | Consort (s) | Monuments | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
La Amelia dynasty [4] [5] | ||||||||
Lachan Kʼawiil Ajaw Bot | 25 June 760 | 1 May 802 | After 804 | ? |
| In 802, conducted a ritual supervised by king Tan Teʼ Kʼinich of Aguateca. |
Name/Glyph | Image | Born | Reigned from | Reigned until | Death | Consort (s) | Monuments | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bonampak dynasty | ||||||||
Aj Yash Punim | ? | c.400 | ? | ? | Founder of the ruling dynasty. | |||
Ruler of Stela 7 | ? | 554 | 600 | 600 Bonampak | ? |
| ||
Jasaw Chan Muwaan I | ? Son of Ruler of Stela 7 | 600 | 605 | 605 Bonampak | ? | |||
Aj Olnal | ? Son of Jasaw Chan Muwaan I | 605 611 (restored) | 610 (deposed) after 614 | After 614 Bonampak | ? | |||
Aj Chan Tok' | ? | 610 | 611 | ? | ? | Usurper, expelled Aj Olnal, but he returned the next year. | ||
Winakhab Tok' | ? | 643 | After 648 | After 648 Bonampak | ? | |||
Unknown ruler | ? | Before 658 | After 670 | After 670 Bonampak | ? | |||
Aj Nak'ey | ? | 683 | After 692 | After 692 Bonampak | ? | |||
Knot-Eye Bahlam | ? | 732 | c.747 | c.747 Bonampak | ? | |||
Aj Sak Telech | ? | 747 | 776 | 776 Bonampak | Lady Shield Skull at least one child | |||
Jasaw Chan Muwaan II | ? Son of Aj Sak Teleh and Lady Shield Skull | 776 | 795 | 795 Bonampak | Lady Green Rabbit of Yaxchilan |
| Last known ruler of the city. |
The kings of Calakmul-Dzibanche were known as k'uhul kaan ajawob (/k’uːˈχuːlkänäχäˈwoɓ/) ("Divine Lords of the Snake Kingdom"). [6] This list is not continuous, as the archaeological record is incomplete. All dates AD.
Name/Glyph | Image | Born | Reigned from | Reigned until | Death | Consort (s) | Monuments | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Snake dynasty [7] | ||||||||
Yuknoom Chʼeen I | ? | c.402 | c.455 | c.455 Dzibanche | ? at least one child |
| Founder of the dynasty, or at least the first recorded ruler of the city. | |
Tuun Kʼabʼ Hix (Ku Ix; Kʼaltuun Hix; Bound-Stone Jaguar) | ? Dzibanche Son of Yuknoom Chʼeen I | c.520 | c.546 | c.546 Dzibanche | Lady Ek' Naah at least one child | His daughter married a lord from La Corona. | ||
Kʼahkʼ Tiʼ Chiʼchʼ | ? Dzibanche | Before 550 | After 568 | After 568 Dzibanche | ? | Probably resided in Dzibanche and oversaw the military operations and political activities of Sky Witness. | ||
Ut Chanal (Sky Witness) | ? Dzibanche Possible son of Tuun Kʼabʼ Hix and Lady Ekʼ Naah | Before 561 | 572 | 572 Dzibanche | ? at least four children | Co-ruler of K'ahk' Ti' Ch'ich'. Made war with Tikal and won over that city, causing the collapse of the extensive power that Tikal had. | ||
Yax Yopaat (First Axewielder) | ? Dzibanche (First?) son of Ut Chanal | 572 | 579 | 579 Dzibanche | ? | His life is mostly unknown today. | ||
Uneh Chan (Scroll Serpent) | ? Dzibanche (Second?) son of Ut Chanal | 2 September 579 (9.7.5.14.17) | 611 | 611 Dzibanche | Lady Scroll-in-Hand at least one child | |||
Yuknoom Tiʼ Chan (Chan) | ? Dzibanche (First?) son of Uneh Chan and Lady Scroll-in-Hand | c.619 | ? | ? | ||||
Tajoom Ukʼab Kʼahkʼ (Ta Batz) | ? Dzibanche (Second?) son of Uneh Chan and Lady Scroll-in-Hand | 28 March 622 (9.9.9.0.5) | 1 October 630 | 1 October 630 (9.9.17.11.14) Dzibanche | ? |
| ||
Waxaklajuun Ubaah Kaan | ? Dzibanche | 630 | 636 | 640 Calakmul | ? | Probably resided in Dzibanche. Lost the throne to his relative Yuknoom Head. | ||
Yuknoom Head (Cauac Head) | ? Dzibanche (Third?) son of Uneh Chan and Lady Scroll-in-Hand | 630 | 636 | ? | ? |
| Probably resided in Calakmul. Maybe the pre-accession name of Yuknoom Chʼeen II. Defeated his rival to the throne Waxaklajuun Ubaah Kaan 4 of April 636. | |
Yuknoom Chʼeen II the Great | 11 September 600 (9.8.7.2.17) Dzibanche (Third? Fourth?) son of Uneh Chan and Lady Scroll-in-Hand | 28 April 636 (9.10.3.5.10) | 686 | 686 Calakmul (aged 85/86) | ? at least three children |
| His daughter married a lord from La Corona. | |
Yuknoom Yichʼaak Kʼahkʼ (Jaguar Paw Smoke) | 6 October 649 (9.10.16.16.19) Son of Yuknoom Chʼeen II | 3 April 686 (9.12.13.17.7) | 31 March 698 | 31 March 698 (9.13.6.2.9) Calakmul(?) (aged 48) | Lady of Stela 116 at least one child | |||
Split Earth | ? | c.695 | ? | ? | Probably a co-ruler. | |||
Yuknoom Tookʼ Kʼawiil (Ruler 5, 6 or 7) | ? Son of Yuknoom Yichʼaak Kʼahkʼ | 26 January 702 (9.13.10.0.0) | c.736 | c.736 Calakmul | Lady of Stela 54 possibly three children |
| His daughter married a lord from La Corona. [8] [9] [7] | |
Wamaw Kʼawiil | ? Son (possibly) of Yuknoom Tookʼ Kʼawiil and Lady of Stela 54 | c.736 | ? | ? at least one child | ||||
Bolon Kʼawiil I [10] (Ruler 8, Ruler Y) | ? Calakmul Son of Wamaw Kʼawiil | c.741 | ? | ? |
| |||
Great Serpent [11] (Ruler 9, Ruler Z) | ? | c.751 | ? | Lady of Stela 88 |
| |||
Bolon Kʼawiil II (Ruler 9) | ? | c.771 | c.789 | c.789 Calakmul | ? |
| ||
Chan Pet | ? | c.849 | ? | ? | ||||
Aj Took | ? | c.909 | ? | ? |
| Last known ruler of the city. |
Name | Ruled | Notes |
---|---|---|
Tajal Chan Ahk | 757 – c. 799 | Built the city palace in 770. |
Kan Maax | c.800 |
Name/Glyph | Image | Born | Reigned from | Reigned until | Death | Consort (s) | Monuments | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Caracol dynasty [12] | ||||||||
Teʼ Kʼab Chaak (Tree Branch Rain God) | ? | 331 | 349 | 349 Caracol | ? | Founder of the dynasty, or at least the first recorded ruler of the city. Yet is only known from two Late Classic back dated texts. One places him at AD 331, and the second at AD 349. | ||
No traces of the dynasty for nearly 100 years | ||||||||
Kʼahkʼ Ujol Kʼinich I (Smoking Skull I; Ruler I) | ? | c.470 | ? Caracol | A lady of Xultun at least one child | Appears on the 6th century genealogical text of Stela 16, but his place in the line of reigning lords is unknown. His reign has been estimated to be circa AD 470. He may have been the father of Yajaw Te’ K’inich I. | |||
Yajaw Teʼ Kʼinich I | ? Caracol Probable son of Kʼahkʼ Ujol Kʼinich I and a lady of Xultun | 12 April 484 (9.2.9.0.16) | 514 | 514 Caracol | ? at least one child |
| Stela 13 records his celebration of the 4th K’atun in AD 514. | |
Tutum Yohl K’inich I (K'an I; Lord Jaguar; Antenna Top I; Ruler II) | ? Caracol Son of Yajaw Teʼ Kʼinich I | 13 April 531 (9.4.16.13.3) | 534 | 534 Caracol | Lady Kʼal Kʼinich at least two children |
| Stela 16 text gives his parentage statement, and tells that his accession was overseen by a ‘higher authority,’ either another lord or a divine being. [13] | |
Yajaw Teʼ Kʼinich II (Lord Water; Lord Muluc; Ruler III) | ? Caracol Son of Kʼan I and Lady Kʼal Kʼinich | 18 April 553 (9.5.19.1.2) | 599 | c.603 Caracol | Lady 1 at least one child Lady Batzʼ Ekʼ [of La Corona?] 582 at least one child |
| Named after his grandfather. His first monument, Stela 14, records the K’atun ending in AD 554 (9.6.0.0.0). As told on Altar 21, Yajaw Te’ K’inich II's accession takes place under the auspices of the Tikal Lord Wak Chan K’awiil. He erected Stela 1 and Altar 1 to mark his last K’atun ending of 9.8.0.0.0, and four years later he is referenced as ‘seeing’ the 9.8.10.0.0 ending. He is mentioned in the fragmentary text on Stela 23. In AD 562 – 9.6.8.4.2 he enacted the first recorded star war against Tikal and Lord Wak Chan K’awiil. Yajaw Te' K'inich II's two sons, Knot Ajaw and K’an II, rule after him. [13] | |
Knot Ajaw (Ajaw Serpent; Flaming Ajaw; Ruler IV) | 28 November 575 (9.7.2.0.3) Caracol Son of Yajaw Teʼ Kʼinich II and Lady 1 | 24 June 599 (9.8.5.16.12) | 613 | 613 Caracol (aged 37/38) | Unmarried |
| Erected his monuments to the west of Structure A13. | |
Tutum Yohl K’inich II (K'an II; Lord Stormwater Moon; Antenna Top II; Ruler V) | 18 April 588 (9.7.14.10.8) Caracol Son of Yajaw Teʼ Kʼinich II and Lady Batzʼ Ekʼ | 6 March 618 (9.9.4.16.2) | 21 July 658 | 21 July 658 (9.11.5.15.9) Caracol (aged 70) | ? at least one child | The most successful Caracol ruler. Reigning for 40 years, he expanded the causeway system and saw an increase in the site's population. Born as Sak Witzil Baah (“White First Hill”, or “White Gopher Hill”) in AD 588, he took his grandfather's name at his accession. He was the half-brother of Knot Ajaw, and was thus always stressing his legitimacy by referencing his mother (who may be Batz’ Ek’). It is interesting that he never references the rule of his brother Knot Ajaw in any of his monuments, even those that describe his dynastic predecessors. He also seems to have developed diplomatic contacts with the Snake polity, with whom he coordinated the war with Naranjo, which began in 626, and ended with the defeat of Naranjo in 631. | ||
Kʼahkʼ Ujol Kʼinich II (Smoking Skull II; Ruler VI) | ? Caracol Possible son of Kʼan II | 22 June 658 (9.11.5.14.0) | 2 March 680 | 2 March 680 (9.12.7.14.1) Caracol | ? |
| Succeeded K’an II in 658, but as he has no surviving parentage statements, we cannot be certain that he is K’an II's son. One of the stucco texts shows that in 680, Caracol was the victim of a star war from Naranjo (also called Naranjo's war of Independence). Martin and Grube suggest that this action drove K’ahk’ Ujol K’inich from Caracol, at which time he may have fled to La Rejolla, 12 km to the northwest. The remainder of this text has not been excavated. This star war event seems to have launched Caracol's epigraphic hiatus, which continues for 96 years, until 798. | |
Ruler VII (Tz’ayaj K’ajk’?) | ? Caracol | c.700 | ? Caracol | ? |
| Reigned during the epigraphic hiatus. One candidate for this ruler comes from Naj Tunich, some 46 km to the south. In one of the cave's chambers dated to 692 is a text referring to a Caracol elite named Tz’ayaj K’ajk’, who carries the emblem glyph, but not the k’inich ajaw prefix. | ||
Tum Yohl Kʼinich (Tz’ayaj K’ajk’?; Ruler VIII) | ? Caracol | c.744 | c.793 | ? Caracol | ? at least one son | He is as enigmatic as Ruler VII. He likewise appears in Naj Tunich, and also lacks the k’inich ajaw prefix, leaving his royal status in question. In this text (dated to 27 August 744), he performs a fire-bearing ritual under the supervision of a lord of Ixkun; an unnamed lord of Calakmul is also involved. All other appearances of his name occur in later retrospective texts like Altar 23, which lists him as a 3 K’atun lord, and the captor of two lords from Ucanal and Bital. | ||
K’inich Joy K’awiil | ? Caracol Possible son of Tum Yohl Kʼinich | 10 December 799 (9.18.9.5.9) | ? | ? Caracol | ? |
| Began a revival of the Caracol polity with his accession. He commissioned the B-Group Ballcourt, the markers of which date back to the dynastic founder Te’ K’ab Chaak. Stela 11 shows Tum Yohl K’inich in an ambiguous relationship to Joy K’awiil, which may show that he is the latter's father, or as suggested by Altar 23 potentially a relative in a high-ranking military position. | |
K'inich Toob'il Yopaat (Ruler X or XI) | ? Caracol Possible son of Tum Yohl K'inich | c.810 | c.830 | ? Caracol | ? |
| His accession date is not certain, but he erected five (possibly six) monuments (Stelae 18, 19, Altars 12, 13), and seems to have repaired relations with Ucanal. This new relationship is depicted on Altars 12 and 13, as well as on stucco text from Structure B18. | |
Kʼan III | ? Caracol | c.835 | c.849 | ? Caracol | ? |
| ||
Ruler XIII | ? Caracol | c.859 | ? Caracol | ? |
| Last known lord of Caracol, and erected only one monument: Stela 10. Stela 10 is a carved all glyphic monument which may commemorate the half-K’atun 10.1.10.0.0 (AD 859). |
Name/Glyph | Image | Born | Reigned from | Reigned until | Death | Consort (s) | Monuments | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st Cobá dynasty [14] | ||||||||
Yu’npik Tok’ | ? | c.500 | ? | ? | Founder of the ruling family, which lasted in power until 780. | |||
Three unknown rulers | ||||||||
2nd Cobá dynasty / Snake dynasty [15] | ||||||||
Cheʼenal | ? Dzibanche? Probable daughter of Yax Yopaat, king of Dzibanche or Calakmul | c.565 | c.574 [16] | ? | c.565? at least one child |
| A lady that probably came from the Snake kingdom at Dzibanche/Calakmul. She had a superior title than her husband (she was called kaloomte). The queen celebrated her first and only period ending on 7 December 573. Probably abdicated to her husband, who starts his reign in 574. | |
Kʼahk Bahlam | ? | 21 September 574 (9.7.0.14.10) | c.610 | c.610? Cobá |
| |||
Sihyaj Chan Kʼawiil (Ruler A) | ? Cobá Son of K'ahk Bahlam and Lady Che'enal [of Dzibanche/Calakmul] | c.610 | 632 [17] | c.632 Cobá | Lady of Stela 3 at least one child |
| ||
Xaman K’awiil | ? Cobá Son of Sihyaj Chan Kʼawiil and Lady of Stela 3 | 16 March 632 [17] (9.9.19.2.3) | 640 | 640 Cobá | ? one child? | |||
Kʼawiil Ekʼ (Lady K’awiil Ajaw; Ruler B) | 617 Cobá Daughter of Sihyaj Chan K'awiil and Lady of Stela 3, or of Xaman K’awiil | 7 April 640 (9.10.7.5.9) | 682 | 682 Cobá (aged 64/65) | ? at least one child |
| She bore the title kaloomte' ('superior warrior'), which was a very high title in contemporary Maya culture, and not worn by all rulers. She is depicted presiding over, or treading upon, over a dozen captives under her feet, a larger number than any other Maya queen, and more than almost any other Maya king. Her reign took place during a period of golden age of Coba, with political continuity, economic prosperity, and expansionistic, militaristic power, and not a vassal of Calakmul. | |
Chan Yopaat (Chan Kʼawiil; Ruler C) | ? Cobá Son of Kʼawiil Ekʼ | 28 August 682 (9.12.10.5.12) | 692 | 692 Cobá | ? at least one child |
| ||
Mat Kʼawiil | ? Cobá Son of Chan Yopaat | c.692 | c.711 | c.711? Cobá | ? |
| ||
Unknown rulers | ||||||||
Chan Kʼinich (Ruler C or D) | ? Cobá Probably a descendant of his predecessors | 16 January 773 (9.17.2.0.5) | c.780 | c.780? Cobá | ? |
| ||
Ruler E | ? (Nothing else is known or certain besides their name) | Discovered in 2020, [14] ruled Cobá in the period 500-780. Some of these may have ruled between Yu’npik Tok’ and Che'enal. | ||||||
Kʼahk Chitam | ||||||||
Uxman K’awiil | ||||||||
Yopaat Taj Naaj | ||||||||
Lady Yopaat | ||||||||
K’ahk’ Yopaat | ||||||||
Kʼaloomte |
(Note:Despite the sparse references to previous rulers in Copán, the first safe reference is from 426. All the rulers, with the exception of the last one, appear in the called Altar Q.)
Name/Glyph | Image | Born | Reigned from | Reigned until | Death | Consort (s) | Monuments | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Copán dynasty | ||||||||
Kʼinich Yax Kʼukʼ Moʼ (Great Sun; Quetzal Macaw) | c.380/390? Tikal | 426 | 437 | 437 Copán (aged around 47/57?) | ? at least one child |
| Came from Tikal. Founder of Copán lineage, he also founded Quirigua's by installing there the first king, Tok Casper. [19] | |
Kʼinich Popol Hol (Great Sun) | c.415 Copán Son of Kʼinich Yax Kʼukʼ Moʼ | 437 | 470 | c.470 Copán (aged around 54/55?) | ? |
| Co-ruler with his father since 430, as he was shown in Structure 10L-26, dated to 9 December 435. [20] Founded the institutions of the city. | |
Mat Head ? (Ruler 3) | ? | c.455 | c.465? | c.465? Copán | ? | Identifiable with Ruler 3. Probably, given his reign date, a co-ruler. [20] | ||
Ku Ix (Kʼaltuun Hix; Tuun Kʼabʼ Hix; Ruler 4) | ? | c.470? | 476 | c.476 Copán | ? |
| Co-ruler since 465. [20] | |
Ruler 5 | ? | c.475? | ? | ? | ||||
Muyal Jol (Ruler 6) | ? | c.485? | 504 | c.504 Copán | ? | |||
Bʼalam Nehn [20] (Mirror Jaguar; Waterlily Jaguar) | ? | 504 | 524 or 544 | 524 or 544 Copán | ? at least one child |
| ||
Wil Ohl Kʼinich (Head on Earth; Ruler 8) | ? Copán Son of Bʼalam Nehnn | 532 | 551 | 551 Copán | ? |
| If Bahlam Nehn ruled until 544, Wil Ohl K'inich was a co-ruler until the former's death. [21] | |
Sak-Lu (Ruler 9) | ? Copán Son of Wil Ohl Kʼinich | 551 | 553 | 553 Copán | ? |
| ||
Tzi-Bahlam (Moon Jaguar; Ruler 10) | ? Copán Son of Bʼalam Nehn | 26 May 553 (9.5.19.3.0) | 22 October 578 | 22 October 578 (9.7.4.17.4) Copán | ? |
| ||
Kʼakʼ Chan Yopaat [22] (Butz' Chan; Smoke Serpent) | 564? Copán | 15 November 578 (9.7.5.0.8) [23] | 23 January 628 | 23 January 628 (9.9.14.16.9) Copán (aged around 64?) | ? at least one child |
| ||
Chan Imix Kʼawiil (Smoke Jaguar; Smoke Imix) | 14 November 604 (9.7.5.0.8) [24] or 612 Copán Possible son of Kʼakʼ Chan Yopaat | 8 or 21 February 628 [25] | 18 June 695 | 18 June 695 (9.13.3.5.7) Copán (aged 78/79 or 90) | ? at least one child |
| Probably the longest-reigning ruler of the city. | |
Uaxaclajuun Ubʼaah Kʼawiil (Oxwitik; 18 Rabbit) | 675 Copán Possible son of Chan Imix Kʼawiil | 2 January or 15 June 695 | 3 May 738 | 3 May 738 (9.15.6.14.6.) Quiriguá (aged 62/63) | ? at least one child |
| If ascended on 2 January, he briefly co-ruled with his predecessor. He was captured and beheaded by the ruler of Quirigua. [26] | |
Kʼakʼ Joplaj Chan Kʼawiil (Smoke Monkey) | ? Copán | 11 June 738 (9.15.6.16.5) | 4 February 749 | 4 February 749 (9.15.17.12.16) Copán | ? at least one child | |||
Kʼakʼ Yipyaj Chan Kʼawiil (Smoke Shell; Smoke Squirrel) | ? Son of Kʼakʼ Joplaj Chan Kʼawiil | 4 February 749 (9.15.17.12.16) | c.761 or January 763 | c.761 or January 763 Copán | A lady from Palenque at least one child |
| ||
Yax Pasaj Chan Yopaat (Yax Pac; Rising Sun) | ? Copán Son of Kʼakʼ Yipyaj Chan Kʼawiil | 2 July 763 | c.810 | c.810 Copán |
| |||
Ukit Took (Yax Pac; Yax Pasah; 18 Rabbit) | ? | 6 or 10 February 822 | c.830 | c.830 (or after) | ? |
| Last known ruler of Copán, and the only who doesn't appear on the mentioned Altar Q. The city collapsed suddenly, possibly under an epidemic. [27] |
Name/Glyph [28] | Image | Born | Reigned from | Reigned until | Death | Consort (s) | Monuments | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tikal-Dos Pilas dynasty [29] [30] [31] [32] | ||||||||
Bʼalaj Chan Kʼawiil (Ruler 1; Flint Sky; Flint Sky God K; Lightning Sky; Malah Chan Kʼawill) | 15 October 625 (9.9.12.11.2) Tikal Son of Kʼinich Muwaan Jol II, King of Tikal | 31 October 643 (9.10.10.16.9) | 692 | c.692 Dos Pilas (aged 66/67) | Lady of Itzan at least two children Lady Buluʼ at least one child | He probably saw himself as the legitimate heir to the Tikal throne. However, moved away from the capital to found a new one at Dos Pilas, which grew to become a rival kingdom, under overlordship of Calakmul. One of his children was Lady Wak Chanil Ajaw, queen regnant Naranjo, who, by using the Tikal emblem, proved her ascendance, through Bʼalaj Chan Kʼawiil, from Tikal royal line. | ||
Itzamnaaj Bʼalam (Shield Jaguar) | ? Dos Pilas Son of Bʼalaj Chan Kʼawiil and Lady of Itzan | c.695 | ? Dos Pilas | ? | Little is known about him. He probably had a short reign. | |||
Itzamnaaj Kʼawiil (Ruler 2; Shield God K) | 25 January 673 (9.12.0.10.11) Dos Pilas Son of B'alaj Chan Kʼawiil and Lady of Itzan | 24 March 698 (9.13.6.2.0) | 22 October 726 | 22 October 726 (9.14.15.1.19) Dos Pilas (aged 53) | ? at least one child |
| ||
Uchaʼan Kʼin Bʼalam (Ruler 3; Master of the Sun Jaguar; Scroll-head God K; Spangle-head; Jewelled-head) | ? | 10 January 727 (9.14.15.5.15) | 28 May 741 | 28 May 741 (9.15.9.16.11) Dos Pilas | Lady GI-Kʼawiil of Cancuén no children? |
| Has no apparent family relation to his predecessors, being probably a regent. It is known that, twenty years earlier, he was already a prominent figure in the kingdom (being responsible, for example, for the capture of the lord of Tikal in 705, or involving himself closely in rituals performed by the previous king). As a ruler (regent or usurper) he provided strong leadership. Erected monuments in Dos Pilas and Aguateca. | |
Kʼawiil Chan Kʼinich (Ruler 4; God K Sky Mahkʼina) | Before 726 Dos Pilas Son of Itzamnaaj Kʼawiil | 23 June 741 (9.15.9.17.17) | c.761 | After 761 | ? |
| He was forced to flee from Dos Pilas in 761 and was never mentioned again. As a result, the date of his death is currently unknown. |
(Note: No known dates)
Nickname | Ruled |
---|---|
Eight Skull [34] | –c. 790 |
Rabbit God K [35] | c. 790–800 |
Name/Glyph | Image | Born | Reigned from | Reigned until | Death | Consort (s) | Monuments | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Machaquila dynasty [37] | ||||||||
Yas-tu-Chaak | ? | c.475 | ? | ? | ||||
Tacal-Mo' | ? | ? | ? | ? | ||||
Sihyaj Kʼin Ichʼaak I | ? | 670 | 710 | c.710 Machaquila | ? |
| ||
Etsʼnab-Chaak | ? | 711 | 761 | c.761 Machaquila | ? |
| At the end of his reign, Machaquilá's suzerain kingdom, Dos Pilas, was abandoned and, during the political turmoil that followed, Cancuén stole power from Machaquilá. | |
Chak-Bahlam | ? | c.775 | ? | ? |
| |||
Under Cancuén rule: 786–799 | ||||||||
Aj Hoʼ Baak | 5 December 770 (9.16.19.15.12) Machaquila | 28 June 800 (9.18.9.15.10) | 815 | 815 Machaquila (aged around 44/45) | ? at least one child |
| ||
Sihyaj Kʼin Ich’aak II | ? Machaquila Son of Aj Ho' Baak | 2 April 815 (9.19.4.15.1) | 824 | 824 Machaquila | ? at least one child |
| ||
Juun Tsak-Took | ? Machaquila Son of Sihyaj K'in Ich’aak II | 3 March 824 (9.19.13.15.19) | 840 | 840 Machaquila | ? |
| ||
Ti-Chaak | ? | 824 | 840 | ? | ? |
Name/Glyph | Image | Born | Reigned from | Reigned until | Death | Consort (s) | Monuments | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st Naranjo dynasty [38] [39] [40] | ||||||||
Tzikʼin Bahlam | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| First known ruler. | ||
? | ? | c.475 | ? | ? |
| |||
Naatz Chan Ahk | ? | ? | ? | ? | ||||
Kʼinich Tajal Chaak | ? Naranjo Son of Lady Casper [39] | ? | ? | ? | ||||
Pik Chan Ahkul | ? | ? | ? | Lady Stone-in-Hand Sky at least one child | Inferred as king by his son's inscriptions. | |||
Aj Wosal Chan Kʼinich (Double Comb) | 534 Naranjo Son of Pik Chan Ahkul and Lady Stone-in-Hand Sky | 5 May 546 (9.5.12.0.4) | 615 | 615 Naranjo (aged around 80/81) | ? at least one child |
| ||
Kʼuxaj | ? Son of Aj Wosal Chan Kʼinich | 615 | 27 December 631 | 27 December 631 (9.9.18.16.3) Naranjo | ? | Defeated by Caracol (626) and by Calakmul (631) | ||
Kʼahkʼ Xiiw Chan Chaahk | ? | c.644 | c.680 | c.680 Naranjo | ? | 37th ruler of Naranjo, according to the inscriptions on the site. [41] His rule, however, didn't produce any surviving monuments. He was victorious against Caracol. | ||
2nd Naranjo dynasty / Tikal-Dos Pilas dynasty [38] [39] [40] | ||||||||
Wak Chanil of Dos Pilas (Lady Six Sky) | 15 July 669 (or after [42] [40] ) Dos Pilas Daughter of Bʼalaj Chan Kʼawiil, King of Dos Pilas and Lady Buluʼ | 30 August 682 (9.12.10.5.12.) 11 October 721 (9.14.10.0.0) | 693 16 February 741 | 16 February 741 (9.15.9.11.6) Naranjo (aged around 72) | Kʼakʼ U ? Chan Chaak of Naranjo at least one child |
| Wak Chanil arrived from Dos Pilas to form a new dynasty in Naranjo. United herself in marriage with a cousin of the previous ruler, Kʼahkʼ Xiiw Chan Chaahk, from 693 she held regency for her son. Possibly as early as 721 or after his son's death in 728, she reassumed the reins of the kingdom as queen regnant, or queen regent for her second son (or grandson). In the reign of Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan Chaak, Wak Chanil's son, Naranjo fought and won a series of victories against polities, some of whom may have been rebelling against Wak Chanil herself. It's possible that was her the organizer of many of Naranjo campaigns that, early in his reign, defeated Yaxha, Tikal, and Ucanal. | |
Regency of Lady Wak Chanil of Dos Pilas (693-26 March 706) | ||||||||
Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan Chaak (Smoking Squirrel) | 6 January 688 (9.12.15.13.7) Naranjo Son of Kʼakʼ U ? Chan Chaak and Lady Wak Chanil of Dos Pilas | 31 May 693 (9.13.1.3.19) | c.728 | c.728 (or after [43] ) Naranjo (aged around 31/32) | Lady Unen Bahlam of Tuubʼal 21 March 710 at least one child | |||
Yax Mayuy Chan Chaak | ? Naranjo Son of Kʼakʼ U ? Chan Chaak and Lady Wak Chanil of Dos Pilas | c.741 | 4 February 744 (15.9.12.11.13) | 14 June 744 (9.15.13.0.0) Naranjo or Tikal? | ? |
| Defeated by Tikal and sacrificed months later. | |
Kʼakʼ Yipiiy Chan Chaak | ? | 15 August 746 (9.15.15.3.16) | 748 or 755 | 748 or 755 Naranjo | ? |
| ||
Kʼahkʼ Ukalaw Chan Chaak | ? Naranjo Son of Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan Chaak and Lady Unen Bahlam of Tuubʼal | 20 November 755 (9.16.4.10.18) | 780 | 780 Naranjo | Lady Star Shell of Yaxha at least two children |
| ||
Bat Kʼawiil | ? Naranjo Son of Kʼahkʼ Ukalaw Chan Chaak and Lady Star Shell of Yaxha | ? | ? | ? | ||||
Itzamnaaj Kʼawiil (Shield; Shield God K) | 13 March 771 (9.17.0.2.12) Naranjo Son of K'ahk' Ukalaw Chan Chaak and Lady Star Shell of Yaxha | 4 February 784 (9.17.13.4.3) | 810 | c.810 Naranjo (aged around 38/39) |
| He was victorious against Yaxha. | ||
Waxaklajuun Ubʼaah Kʼawiil | ? | c.814 | ? | ? |
|
Name/Glyph | Image | Born | Reigned from | Reigned until | Death | Consort (s) | Monuments | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Palenque dynasty [44] [45] [46] | ||||||||
Kʼukʼ Bahlam I (Kuk; Bahlum Kʼuk) | 30 March 397 (8.18.0.13.7) Palenque | 10 March 431 (8.19.15.3.5) | 435 | 435 Palenque (aged 37/38) | ? |
| Founder of the dynasty. | |
Casper (11 Rabbit) | 8 August 422 (8.19.6.8.9) Palenque Son of Kʼukʼ Bahlam I? | 9 August 435 (8.19.19.11.18) | c.487 | c.487 Palenque (aged 64/65) | ? | |||
Bʼutz Aj Sak Chiik (Manik) | 15 November 459 (9.1.4.5.2) Palenque Son of Casper? | 28 July 487 (9.2.12.6.19) | c.501 | c.501 Palenque (aged 41/42) | ? | His successor, Ahkal Moʼ Nahb, was probably his brother. | ||
Ahkal Moʼ Nahb I (Chaacal I; Akul Anab I) | 5 July 465 (9.1.10.0.1) Palenque Son of Casper? | 3 June 501 (9.3.6.7.17) | 29 November 524 | 29 November 524 (9.4.10.4.17) Palenque (aged 59) | ? | The list of ancestors made by his descendant Pakal the Great starts with him. | ||
Interregnum: 524–529 | ||||||||
Kʼan Joy Chitam I (Hok; Kan Xul I; K'an Hok' Chitam) | 5 May 490 (9.2.15.3.11) Palenque Son of Ahkal Moʼ Nahb I? | 6 February 529 (9.4.14.9.7) | 6 February 565 | 6 February 565 (9.6.11.0.16) Palenque (aged 74) | ? two children | |||
Ahkal Moʼ Nahb II (Chaacal II; Akul Anab II) | 3 September 523 (9.4.9.0.4) Palenque Son of Kʼan Joy Chitam I | 2 May 565 (9.6.11.5.1) | 21 July 570 | 21 July 570 (9.6.16.10.7) Palenque (aged 46) | ? no children | |||
Kan Bahlam I (Chan Bahlum I) | 18 September 524 (9.4.10.1.5) Palenque Son of Kʼan Joy Chitam I | 6 April 572 (9.6.18.5.12) | 1 February 583 | 1 February 583 (9.7.9.5.5) Palenque (aged 58) | ? one child? | |||
Yohl Ikʼnal (Lady Kan Ik; Lady K'anal Ik'nal) | ? Palenque Daughter of Kʼan Joy Chitam I or Kan Bahlam I | 21 December 583 (9.7.10.3.8) | 5 November 604 | 5 November 604 (9.8.11.6.12) Palenque | ? two children | |||
Ajen Yohl Mat (Aj Ne' Ohl Mat; Ac Kan; Ahl Lawal Mat) | ? Palenque Son of Yohl Ikʼnal? | 1 January 605 (9.8.11.9.9) | 8 or 11 August 612 | 8 or 11 August 612 Palenque | ? two children | During his reign (4 April 611), Palenque was invaded by Calakmul. | ||
Sak Kʼukʼ (Muwaan Mat; Lady Beastie) | ? Palenque Daughter of Janahb Pakal I and Yohl Ikʼnal? | 20 October 612 (9.8.19.7.18) | 27 July 615 (9.9.2.4.8) | 10 September 640 (9.10.7.13.5) Palenque | Kʼan Moʼ Hix one or two children | Abdicated to her son. [40] | ||
Kʼinich Janaabʼ Pakal I the Great (Pacal; 8 Ahau; Sun Shield) | 19 March 603 (9.8.9.12.15) Palenque Son of Kʼan Moʼ Hix and Sak Kʼukʼ | 27 July 615 (9.9.2.4.8) | 26 August 683 | 26 August 683 (9.12.11.5.15) Palenque aged 80 | Tzʼakbu three children |
| He was responsible for the construction or extension of some of Palenque's most notable surviving inscriptions and monumental architecture. [47] | |
Kʼinich Kan Bahlam II (Chan Bahlum II) | 23 May 635 (9.10.2.6.5) Palenque Son of Kʼinich Janaabʼ Pakal I and Tzʼakbu | 10 January 684 (9.12.11.12.12) | 20 February 702 | 20 February 702 (9.13.10.1.7) Palenque aged 66 | ? no children |
| He continued the ambitious project of adorning Palenque with fine art and architecture begun by his father. [45] [48] | |
Kʼinich Kʼan Joy Chitam II (Kan Xul II; K'an Hok' Chitam On II | 31 October 644 (9.10.11.16.17) Palenque Son of Kʼinich Janaabʼ Pakal I and Tzʼakbu | 28 May 702 (9.13.10.6.4) | c.721 | 721 Palenque aged 76/77 | ? no children |
| He was captured by Toniná in 711, but possibly restored to kingship. | |
Kʼinich Ahkal Moʼ Nahb III (Chaacal III; Akul Anab III) | 23 September 678 (9.12.6.5.17) Palenque Son of Tiwol Chan Mat and Kinuw | 30 December 721 (9.14.10.4.0) | c.736 | c.736 Palenque aged 57/58 | Men Nik one child |
| Grandson of Kʼinich Janaab Pakal I. His construction program rivaled that of his predecessors, and contributed enormously to the surviving records of Palenque history. | |
Kʼinich Janaab Pakal II (Upakal K'inich) | ? Palenque Son of Tiwol Chan Mat and Kinuw | c.742 | ? | ? one child |
| Probable brother of the predecessor. [46] | ||
Kʼinich Kan Bahlam III | ? | c.751 | ? | ? | A text at Pomona, the only source of his existence, suggests that his reign was short or troubled. [46] | |||
Kʼinich Kʼukʼ Bahlam II [46] (Bahlum K'uk' II; Mahk'ina K'uk') | ? Palenque Son of Kʼinich Ahkal Moʼ Nahb III and Men Nik | 4 March 764 (9.16.13.0.5) | c.783 | c.783 Palenque | ? |
| ||
Janaab Pakal III (6 Cimi Pakal) | ? | 13 November 799 (9.18.9.4.2) | ? | ? |
Name/Glyph | Image | Born | Reigned from | Reigned until | Death | Consort (s) | Monuments | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lakamtuun dynasty | ||||||||
Ahiin Chan Ahk | ? | 6th century | 518 | 518 | ? | Captured by Ruler C of Piedras Negras | ||
? | ? | 5th century | ? | ? | Captured by K'ihnich Tatb'u Jol II of Yaxchilan. | |||
lk' Chih | ? El Palma | 8th century | ? | ? | Sacrificed by Yaxun B'alam IV of Yaxchilan in a ball game ceremony. | |||
Kan Waxak' Ek | ? | 9th century | ? | ? |
Name/Glyph | Image | Born | Reigned from | Reigned until | Death | Consort (s) | Monuments | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Waka' dynasty | ||||||||
"Leaf" Chan Ak | ? | c.327 | 357? | 357? | ? | Founder of the dynasty. | ||
"Skull Snake" | ? | c.356 | ? | ? | ||||
K'inich Bahlam I | ? | c.378 | ? | ? | ||||
"Dragon Jaguar" | ? | c.410 | ? | ? | ||||
"Tapir" Chan Ak | ? | c.450 | ? | ? | ||||
Chan Yopaat | ? | c.502 | ? | ? | ||||
Chak Tok Ich'aak | ? | 520 | 556 | 556 | Lady Ikom | Ally of the Kaanul (Snake) dynasty. | ||
Wa'oom Uch'ab Tz'ikin | ? | 556 | ? | ? | ? | Enthroned by Kʼahkʼ Tiʼ Chiʼchʼ of the Kaanul (Snake) dynasty. | ||
Muam Bahlam | ? | late 6th century | ? | ? | ||||
K'inich Bahlam II | ? | 657 | 711 | 711 | Lady K'abel | Co-ruled with Lady K'abel of the Kaanul (Snake) dynasty. | ||
Bahlam Tzam | ? | 730? | 743 | ? | ? | |||
Lady Pakal | ? | 771 | 790 | ? | ? | |||
Ah Yax Yopaat | ? | 802 | ? | ? | ? |
Name/Glyph | Image | Born | Reigned from | Reigned until | Death | Consort (s) | Monuments | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st Piedras Negras dynasty [49] | ||||||||
Kʼan Ahk I (Ruler A; Turtleshell) | ? | c.297 | ? | ? | Ruler A was later captured by Moon Skull of Yaxchilan. [49] | |||
Kʼan Ahk II (Ruler B) | ? | c.478 | ? | ? | ||||
Yat Ahk I [50] (Ah Cauac Ah K'in; Turtletooth) | ? | c.510 | ? | ? | ||||
Ruler C | ? | 30 June 514 (9.3.19.12.12) | c.520 | c.520 Piedras Negras | ? |
| ||
Kʼinich Yoʼnal Ahk I (Ruler 1) | ? | 14 November 603 (9.8.10.6.16) | 3 February 639 | 3 February 639 (9.10.6.2.1) Piedras Negras | Lady Bird Headdress at least one child |
| Some scholars have argued that Kʼinich Yoʼnal Ahk I refounded the ruling dynasty at Piedras Negras. [51] [52] | |
Itzam Kʼan Ahk I [53] [54] (Ruler 2) | 22 May 626 (9.9.13.4.1) Piedras Negras Son of Kʼinich Yoʼnal Ahk I and Bird Headress | 12 April 639 (9.10.6.5.9) | 15 November 686 | 15 November 686 (9.12.14.10.13) Piedras Negras (aged 50) | Lady White Bird at least one child |
| ||
Kʼinich Yoʼnal Ahk II (Ruler 3) | 30 December 664 (9.11.12.7.2) Piedras Negras Son of Itzam Kʼan Ahk I and White Bird | 2 January 687 (9.12.14.13.1) | c. 729 | c. 729 Piedras Negras (aged 64/65) | Winik Haab' Ajaw of Namaan 21 November 686 (9.12.14.10.16) one child |
| ||
2nd Piedras Negras dynasty [49] | ||||||||
Itzam Kʼan Ahk II (Ruler 4) | 18 November 701 (9.13.9.14.15) Piedras Negras | 9 November 729 (9.14.18.3.13) | 26 November 757 | 26 November 757 (9.16.6.11.17) Piedras Negras (aged 56) | Juntan Ahk of Piedras Negras (?) possibly three children |
| There is evidence that Itzam Kʼan Ahk II started a new patriline at Piedras Negras. It's possible that he also married the daughter of the previous ruler. [55] | |
Yoʼnal Ahk III [52] [56] (Ruler 5) | ? Piedras Negras Son of Itzam Kʼan Ahk II | 10 March 758 (9.16.6.17.1) | c. 767 | c. 767 Piedras Negras | ? |
| ||
Haʼ Kʼin Xook [56] [57] [52] (Ruler 6) | ? Piedras Negras Son of Itzam Kʼan Ahk II | 14 February 767 (9.16.16.0.4) | 24 March 780 | 24 March 780 (9.17.9.5.11) or after 780 Piedras Negras | ? |
| Appears to have either died or abdicated. Scholars are unsure if 24 March 780 refers to Ha' K'in Xook's death date, or rather the date of his burial. | |
Kʼinich Yat Ahk II (Ruler 7) | 7 April 750 (9.15.18.16.7.) Piedras Negras Son of Itzam Kʼan Ahk II | 31 May 781 (9.17.10.9.4.) | c. 808 | c. 808 Piedras Negras (aged 57/58) | ? |
| Took the throne almost a year following the death of Ha' K'in Xook. Despite this time gap, there is no evidence anyone was ruling Piedras Negras in the interim. He was later captured by K'inich Tatbu Skull IV of Yaxchilan. [58] [59] [52] [60] |
Name (or nickname) | Ruled | Dynastic succession no. [63] |
---|---|---|
"Tok Casper" | 426–? [64] | 1 |
Tutuum Yohl Kʼinich | c. 455 [64] | ? |
"Ruler 3" ("Turtle Shell") | c. 480 [64] [65] | ? |
"Ruler 4" ("Basket Skull") | ?–? [65] | 3? |
Mih Toh | 493– [65] | 4? |
Kʼawiil Yopaat ("Ruler 5") | c. 653 [65] | ? |
Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan Yopaat ("Cauac Sky" or "Kawak Sky") | 724–785 [66] | 14 |
"Sky Xul" | 785 – c. 795 [66] | 15 |
"Jade Sky" | c. 800 – c. 810 [66] | 17? |
Name | Dates |
---|---|
U K'ab' [68] | c. 564 |
Kʼab Chan Teʼ I | c. 594–641 |
Kʼab Chan Te II? | c.653–693 |
Aj Sak Maax | c.754–772 |
Yeht' Kʼinich | c. 787 |
Jatsʼ Tokal Ekʼ Hiix | c.796? |
Kʼabʼ Chan Teʼ III | c. 864 |
Name | Title or nickname | Ruled |
---|---|---|
Pat-K+awiil | ? (7th–8th century?) | |
Ichʼaak Bahlam I | "Jaguar Claw" | ?-c.735 |
Ichʼaak Bahlam II | "Jaguar Claw" | c.735–c.750 [69] |
Kʼinich Bahlam | ? | |
Ajaw Bʼot | Ruler D, Ah-Bolon-Abta [70] | 771–? [71] |
Watʼul Chatel [72] | Aj B'olon Haab'tal [73] | 830–889+ [73] |
Kʼuhul Itʼsat [74] | c.860? | |
Kʼap Sak Nik | c.880? |
Name | Ruled |
---|---|
Ruler 1 | ca. 513 |
Wakoh Kʼinich | ca. 534 – ca. 554 |
Ruler 3 | ca. 573 |
Ruler 4 | – 613 |
Wakoh Chan Kʼinich | a. 613 – |
Aj Ajan Nah | ca. 660 |
Aj Ihkʼ Wolok | ca. 660 – ca. 702 |
Ruler 8 | ca. 705 |
Ruler 9 | – ca. 711 |
Ruler 10 | – 712 |
Chak Bin Ahk | a. 712 – ca. 731 |
Chanal Balam | a. 760 – ca. 764 |
The dynastic line of Tikal, founded as early as the 1st century AD, spanned 800 years and included at least 33 rulers. [75]
Name/Glyph [76] [77] | Image | Born | Reigned from | Reigned until | Death | Consort (s) | Monuments | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st Tikal dynasty [78] | ||||||||
Yax Ehb' Xok (Yax Moch Xok; Yax Chakte'l Xok; First Scaffold Shark) | ? | c.90 | ? | ? | Founder of Tikal lineage. [79] | |||
? Bahlam (Foliated Jaguar; Decorated Jaguar; Scroll Ahau Jaguar) | ? | c.292 | ? | ? |
| |||
K'inich Ehb' [80] (Animal Headdress) | ? | ? | ? | Lady Skull at least one child |
| |||
Sihyaj Chan Kʼawiil I | ? Tikal Son of K'inich Ehb' and Lady Skull | c.307 | ? | |||||
Unen Bahlam (Lady Une' B'alam) | ? | c.317 | ? | ? |
| Assumed to be female, the sex of this ruler is in fact unclear. | ||
Kʼinich Muwaan Jol (Mahk'ina Bird Skull; Feather Skull) | ? | ? | 22 May 359 | 22 May 359 (8.16.2.6.0) Tikal | Bahlam Way at least one child |
| ||
Chak Tok Ichʼaak I (Great Paw; Great Jaguar Paw; Toh Chak Ichʼak) | ? Tikal Son of Kʼinich Muwaan Jol and Bahlam Way | 7 August 360 (8.16.3.10.2) | 16 January 378 | 16 January 378 (8.17.1.4.12) Tikal | ? |
| On the day he died, Tikal was invaded by troops led by Siyaj Kʼakʼ, who overthrew the reigning family. | |
2nd Tikal dynasty / Teotihuacan dynasty | ||||||||
Yax Nuun Ayiin I (Curl Snout; Curl Nose) | ? Teotihuacan Son of Spearthrower Owl | 12 September 379 (8.17.2.16.17) | 18 June 404 | 18 June 404 (8.18.8.1.2) Tikal | Lady K'inich at least one child |
| The son of the person identified as the ruler of Teotihuacan, placed on the throne by Siyaj Kʼakʼ and under his influence, founded a new line of rulers in Tikal. | |
Sihyaj Chan Kʼawiil II (Storm Sky; Manikin Cleft Sky) | ? Tikal Son of Yax Nuun Ayiin I and Lady K'inich | 26 November 411 (8.18.15.11.0) | 3 February 456 | 3 February 456 (9.1.0.8.0) Tikal | Lady Ayiin at least one child |
| ||
Kʼan Chitam [81] (Kan Boar; K'an Ak) | 26 November 415 (8.18.19.12.1) Tikal Son of Sihyaj Chan Kʼawiil II and Lady Ayiin | 8 August 458 (9.1.2.17.17) | 486 | 486 Tikal (aged 70/71) | Lady Tzutz Nik at least one child |
| ||
Chak Tok Ichʼaak II [81] [82] (Jaguar Paw II; Jaguar Paw Skull) | ? Tikal Son of Kʼan Chitam and Lady Tzutz Nik | 486 | 24 July 508 | 24 July 508 (9.3.13.12.5) Tikal | Lady Hand Probably two children |
| ||
Yo K'in [78] (Lady of Tikal) | 1 September 504 (9.3.9.13.3) Tikal Daughter of Chak Tok Ichʼaak II and Lady Hand? | 19 April 511 (9.3.16.8.4) | 527 | After 527 Tikal | ? |
| Ruled jointly. Possibly married? | |
Kaloomte Bahlam (Curl Head) | ? | c.511 Tikal | 527 | After 527 Tikal | ? | |||
Bird Claw (Animal Skull) | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| Ruled after Yo K'in. He carried a high-ranking name but no Tikal emblem. Possibly an interim ruler, or usurper? [83] | ||
Wak Chan Kʼawiil (Double Bird) | January 508 Tikal Son of Chak Tok Ichʼaak II and Lady Hand | 27 December 537 (9.5.3.9.15) | 562 | 562 Tikal (aged 53/54) | ? |
| ||
3rd Tikal dynasty [78] | ||||||||
Kʼinich Waaw (Animal Skull; Lizard Head; Ete II) | ? Tikal Son of Fire Cross and Lady Hand Sky of Bahlam | 562? or 593 | 628 | 628 Tikal | ? | Had no apparent relation to the previous rulers; possibly a new dynasty began at this point. | ||
Kʼinich Wayaan ? (23rd Ruler) | ? | c. 635 (if he is the 23rd Ruler) or c.628–650 | ? | ? |
| Probably identifiable with 23rd Ruler? | ||
Kʼinich Muwaan Jol II (24th Ruler) | ? | c. 645 (if he is the 24th Ruler) or c.628–650 | ? | ? at least one child | Probably identifiable with 24th Ruler? | |||
Nuun Ujol Chaak (Shield Skull; Nun Ban Chak) | ? Tikal Son of K'inich Muwaan Jol II | 657 | 679 | 679 Tikal | Lady Jaguar Seat at least one child |
| ||
Jasaw Chan Kʼawiil I (Ruler A; Ah Cacao; Sky Rain) | ? Tikal Son of Nuun Ujol Chaak and Lady Jaguar Seat | 3 May 682 (9.12.9.17.16) | 734 | 734 Tikal | Lady Lahan Unen Moʼ at least one child |
| His defeat of the rival Maya city of Calakmul in 695 is seen to represent a resurgence in the strength and influence of Tikal. | |
Yikʼin Chan Kʼawiil (Ruler B; Yaxkin Caan Chac; Sun Sky Rain) | ? Tikal Son of Jasaw Chan Kʼawiil I and Lady Lahan Unen Moʼ | 8 December 734 (9.15.3.6.8) | 766? | 766? Tikal | ? at least two children |
| He was one of Tikal's most successful and expansionary rulers, consolidating the political gains won by his father. | |
28th Ruler | ? Tikal Son of Yikʼin Chan Kʼawiil | c.766 | c.768 | c.768? Tikal | ? | Little is known about this ruler. | ||
Yax Nuun Ayiin II (Ruler C; Chitam) | ? Tikal Son of Yikʼin Chan Kʼawiil | 25 December 768 (9.16.17.16.4) | c.794 | c.794 Tikal | ? |
| ||
Nuun Ujol Kʼinich | ? | Between 794 and 810 | ? | ? at least one child |
| |||
Dark Sun | ? Tikal Son of Nuun Ujol Kʼinich | c.849 | ? | ? |
| |||
Jewel Kʼawiil | ? | c.849 | ? | ? | ||||
Jasaw Chan Kʼawiil II (Stela 11 Ruler) | ? | c.869 | c.889 | c.889? Tikal | ? |
|
Name/Glyph | Image | Born | Reigned from | Reigned until | Death | Consort (s) | Monuments | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st Toniná dynasty [84] [85] | ||||||||
Kokaaj(?) Witz’ (Ruler 1) | ? | c.501/14 | ? | ? | First known ruler of the site. | |||
Chak Baluun Chahk | ? | c.562-564 | ? | ? |
| |||
Bahlam Ya Acal (Jaguar Bird Peccary; Zots Choj) | ? | 16 January 563 (9.6.8.17.4) | 573 | 573 Toniná | ? | |||
K’inich Muhk | ? | Before 589 | 600 | 600 Toniná | ? |
| ||
K’inich Sanaw Bahlam Yaxuun Tihl | ? | 10 March 600 (9.8.6.11.9) | 4 January 615 (9.9.1.12.2) | 4 January 615 Toniná | ? |
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K'inich Bahlam Chapat (K'inich Hix Chapat) | ? | 31 January 615 (9.9.1.12.2) | 668 | 668 Toniná | ? |
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Yuknoom Wahywal [86] (Jaguar Casper; Ruler 2) | ? | 23 July 668 (9.11.16.0.3) | 12 September 687 | 12 September 687 (9.12.15.7.13) Toniná | ? at least two children |
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K’inich B’aaknal Chaak [86] (Kuk; Snake Skull; Ruler 3) | ? Possible son of Yuknoom Wahywal | 17 June 688 (9.12.16.3.12) | 715 | 715 Toniná | ? |
| It's possible that they ruled together, at least in 688. | |
Aj Chʼaaj Naah | ? | 688 | ? | ? | ||||
Kelʼne Hix | ? | ? | Lady Kʼawill Chan at least one child | |||||
Regency of Lady Kʼawill Chan (708/15–722) | Co-ruled with his uncle, K’inich B’aaknal Chaak, until 715. Under regency of his mother, the sister of K’inich B’aaknal Chaak, until 722. | |||||||
K’inich Chuwaaj Chaak [86] (Jaguar God; Ruler 4) | 16 December 706 (9.13.14.17.7) Toniná Son of Kel'ne Hix and Lady Kʼawill Chan | 28 November 708 (9.13.16.17.0) | 723 | 723 Toniná aged 16/17 | ? |
| ||
2nd Toniná dynasty [87] [85] | ||||||||
Kʼinich Ichʼaak Chapat (Jaguar Claw; Ruler 5) | 15 January 709 (9.13.17.1.8) Toniná Son of Lady Winik Timak Kʼawiil | 19 November 723 (9.14.12.2.9) | 739 | 739 Toniná aged 29/30 | Lady Muyal Chan Kʼawiil (I) at least one child |
| Has no known family relation to previous rulers; [88] probably a new dynasty started at this point. | |
K’inich Tuun Chapat (Ruler 6 or 8) | ? Toniná Son of Kʼinich Ichʼaak Chapat and Lady Muyal Chan Kʼawiil (I) | 739 | 15 February 762 | 15 February 762 (9.16.10.16.17) Toniná | ? at least one child | |||
Lady Kʼawiil Yopaat (Ruler 7) | ? Toniná Daughter of K’inich Tuun Chapat | 15 February 762 (9.16.10.16.17) | 774 | 774 [89] Toniná | ? at least one child | Around 764 Toniná defeated Palenque in battle. [90] | ||
Kʼinich Chapat (Itzamnaaj Mut II?; Ruler 8? [91] ) | ? Toniná Son of Lady Kʼawiil Yopaat | 774/787 | 806 | 806 Toniná | Lady Muyal Chan Kʼawiil (II) at least one child |
| The last successful warrior ruler of Toniná. It's possible that the heir prince who died in 775, Prince Wak Chan K'ahk, was his brother. | |
Uh Chapat [91] (Ruler 9) | ? Toniná Son of Kelʼne Hix and Lady Kʼawill Chan | c.837 | ? Toniná | ? at least one child? | ||||
Ruler 10 | ? Toniná Son of Uh Chapat? | c.901 [91] | ? Toniná | ? |
|
Name/Glyph [76] [77] | Image | Born | Reigned from | Reigned until [92] | Death | Consort (s) | Monuments [93] | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yaxchilan dynasty [94] | ||||||||
Yopaat Bahlam I | ? | 23 July 359 (8.16.2.9.1.) | ? | ? | ? | Founder of Yaxchilan lineage. [95] | ||
Itzamnaaj Bahlam I (Shield Jaguar I) | ? | ? | ? | ? | ||||
Yaxun Bahlam I (Bird Jaguar I) | ? | 378 | 389 | 389 Yaxchilan | ? | |||
Yax Deer-Antler Skull | ? | 389 | 402 | 402 Yaxchilan | ? | |||
Ruler 5 | ? | 402 | ? | ? | ? | |||
Kʼinich Tatbʼu Jol I | ? | ? | ? | ? | ||||
Moon Skull | ? | 454 | 467 | 467 Yaxchilan | ? | His name is not an actual reference to the moon but is rather the Maya word for a spear-thrower. | ||
Yaxun Bahlam II (Bird Jaguar II) | ? | 467 | ? | ? | Lady Chuwen at least two children | The eighth king in the dynastic record of Yaxchilan. Two of his sons became kings after him, Knot-eye Jaguar I and K'inich Tatb'u Skull II. | ||
Joy Bahlam I (Knot-eye Jaguar I) | ? Yaxchilan Son of Yaxun Bahlam II< and Lady Chuwen | 508 | 518 | 518 Yaxchilan | ? at least two children |
| The ninth known king of Yaxchilan, he reigned in the early 6th century. His glyphic name should probably be read as Joy Bahlam. [96] | |
Kʼinich Tatbʼu Jol II | ? Yaxchilan Son of Yaxun Bahlam II and Lady Chuwen | 11 February 526 (9.4.11.8.16) | 537 | 537 Yaxchilan | ? at least two children |
| The tenth in the dynastic king list. He was another son of Bird Jaguar II. | |
Joy Bahlam II | ? | c.560 | c.570 | c.570 Yaxchilan | ? | |||
Itzamnaaj Bahlam II (Shield Jaguar II) | ? | c.599 or c.599–611 | ? | ? | ||||
Kʼinich Tatbʼu Jol III | ? | ? | ? | ? at least one child |
| |||
Yaxun Bʼalam III (6-Tun-Bird Jaguar; Bird Jaguar III) | ? Yaxchilan Son of Kʼinich Tatbʼu Jol III | 631 | 681 | 681 Yaxchilan | Lady Pacal (c. 607? – 705) at least one child |
| Described in one text as fifteenth in line from Yopaat Bʼalam I. Bird Jaguar III took Lady Pakal as his wife, who lived a very long life, dying in 705 at the age of at least 98 years. Their son and heir was Itzamnaaj Bahlam II. | |
Itzamnaaj Bahlam III [97] (Shield Jaguar III) | 647 Yaxchilan Son of Yaxun Bʼalam III and Lady Pacal | 23 October 681 (9.12.9.8.1) | 15 June 742 | 15 June 742 (9.15.10.17.14) Yaxchilan (aged 94/95) | Lady Xoc Lady Eveningstar of Calakmul (1 September 704–751) at least one child Lady Sak B'iyaan |
| Ruled for 60 years. He was often referred to in hieroglyphic texts as Master of Aj Nik, referring to the capture of his first captive before he became king, this phrase being attached to his name on 32 separate occasions. Aj Nik himself was a sub-lord from a place known as either Maan or Namaan and was not of high rank. | |
Yopaat Bahlam II | ? | c.749 | ? | ? |
| |||
Yaxun Bʼalam IV (Bird Jaguar IV) | 709 or later [98] Yaxchilan Son of Itzamnaaj Bahlam II and Lady Eveningstar of Calakmul | 752 | 768 | 768 Yaxchilan (aged 56/57) | Lady Great Skull at least one child Lady Wak Tuun of Motul de San José Lady Wak Jalam Chan of Motul de San José Lady Mut Bahlam of Hix Witz |
| Possibly under regency of his mother in the beginning of his reign. [95] [99] [100] | |
Itzamnaaj Bahlam IV [101] (Shield Jaguar IV) | 18 February 752 (9.16.0.14.7) Yaxchilan Son of Yaxun Bahlam IV and Lady Great Skull | 769 | c.800 | c.800 Yaxchilan (aged around 47/48) | Lady Chab-Ahab at least one child | |||
Kʼinich Tatbʼu Jol IV | ? Son of Itzamnaaj Bahlam IV and Lady Chab-Ahab | c.808 | ? | ? |
| Last known ruler of the city. [95] |
Ahpo Sotzʼil [104] | Ahpo Xahil [105] | Kʼalel Achi | Ahuchan |
---|---|---|---|
Wuqu-Batzʼ | Hun-Toh | Chuluk | Xitamel-Keh |
Oxlahuh-Tzʼiʼ | Lahuh-Ah | ||
Kablahuh-Tihax | |||
Hun-Iqʼ | Lahuh-Noh | ||
Cahi Imox | Belehe Qat |
Name | Ruled | Alternative names |
---|---|---|
Lajuj No'j | c.1450–c.1480 [106] | Ichalkan Chi Kumkwat, Ychal Amollac Chicumcuat |
Achi Q'alel | early 16th century [107] | – |
This city is here included because, despite being founded in the Classic period, it attained the peak of its influence in the Post Classic.
Copán is an archaeological site of the Maya civilization in the Copán Department of western Honduras, not far from the border with Guatemala. It is one of the most important sites of the Maya civilization, which was not excavated until the 19th century. The ruined citadel and imposing public squares reveal the three main stages of development before the city was abandoned in the early 10th century.
ʼʼʼDos Pilasʼʼʼ is a Pre-Columbian site of the Maya civilization located in what is now the department of Petén, Guatemala. It dates to the Late Classic Period, and was founded by an offshoot of the dynasty of the great city of Tikal in AD 629 in order to control trade routes in the Petexbatún region, particularly the Pasión River. In AD 648 Dos Pilas broke away from Tikal and became a vassal state of Calakmul, although the first two kings of Dos Pilas continued to use the same emblem glyph that Tikal did. It was a predator state from the beginning, conquering Itzan, Arroyo de Piedra and Tamarindito. Dos Pilas and a nearby city, Aguateca, eventually became the twin capitals of a single ruling dynasty. The kingdom as a whole has been named as the Petexbatun Kingdom, after Petexbatún Lake, a body of water draining into the Pasión River.
Quiriguá (Spanish pronunciation:[kiɾiˈɣwa]) is an ancient Maya archaeological site in the department of Izabal in south-eastern Guatemala. It is a medium-sized site covering approximately 3 square kilometres (1.2 sq mi) along the lower Motagua River, with the ceremonial center about 1 km (0.6 mi) from the north bank. During the Maya Classic Period (AD 200–900), Quiriguá was situated at the juncture of several important trade routes. The site was occupied by 200, construction on the acropolis had begun by about 550, and an explosion of grander construction started in the 8th century. All construction had halted by about 850, except for a brief period of reoccupation in the Early Postclassic (c. 900 – c. 1200). Quiriguá shares its architectural and sculptural styles with the nearby Classic Period city of Copán, with whose history it is closely entwined.
Tonina is a pre-Columbian archaeological site and ruined city of the Maya civilization located in what is now the Mexican state of Chiapas, some 13 km (8.1 mi) east of the town of Ocosingo.
Naranjo is a Pre-Columbian Maya city in the Petén Basin region of Guatemala. It was occupied from about 500 BC to 950 AD, with its height in the Late Classic Period. The site is part of Yaxha-Nakum-Naranjo National Park. The city lies along the Mopan and Holmul rivers, and is about 50 km east of the site of Tikal. Naranjo has been the victim of severe looting. The site is known for its polychrome ceramic style.
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.
Calakmul is a Maya archaeological site in the Mexican state of Campeche, deep in the jungles of the greater Petén Basin region. It is 35 kilometres (22 mi) from the Guatemalan border. Calakmul was one of the largest and most powerful ancient cities ever uncovered in the Maya lowlands.
Uaxaclajuun Ubʼaah Kʼawiil, was the 13th ajaw or ruler of the powerful Maya polity associated with the site of Copán in modern Honduras. He ruled from January 2, 695, to May 3, 738.
Yikʼin Chan Kʼawiil also known as Ruler B, Yaxkin Caan Chac and Sun Sky Rain,, was an ajaw of the Maya city of Tikal. He took the throne on December 8, 734.
Chak Tok Ichʼaak I also known as Great Paw, Great Jaguar Paw, and Toh Chak Ichʼak was an ajaw of the Maya city of Tikal. He took the throne on 7 August 360 and reigned until his death in 378, apparently at the hands of invaders from central Mexico.
During the 6th and 7th 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.
Bʼalaj Chan Kʼawiil was a Maya king of Dos Pilas. He is also known as Ruler 1, Flint Sky God K and Malah Chan Kʼawil.
Itzam Kʼan Ahk II, also known as Ruler 4, was an ajaw of Piedras Negras, an ancient Maya settlement in Guatemala. He ruled during the Late Classic Period, from 729 to 757 AD. Itzam Kʼan Ahk II ascended to the throne following the death of Kʼinich Yoʼnal Ahk II. Itzam Kʼan Ahk II may have fathered the following three kings of Piedras Negras: Yoʼnal Ahk III, Haʼ Kʼin Xook, and Kʼinich Yat Ahk II. Following Itzam Kʼan Ahk II's demise, he was succeeded by Yoʼnal Ahk III in 757 AD. Itzam Kʼan Ahk II left several monuments, including stelae at Piedras Negras and a large mortuary temple now known as Pyramid O-13. In addition, the details of his life and his Kʼatun-jubilee were commemorated on Panel 3, raised by Kʼinich Yat Ahk II several years following Itzam Kʼan Ahk II's death.
Yuknoom Chʼeen II, known as Yuknoom the Great, was a Maya ruler of the Kaan kingdom, which had its capital at Calakmul during the Classic Period of Mesoamerican chronology.
Yuknoom Yichʼaak Kʼahkʼ or Yuknoom Ixquiac was a Maya king of the Kaan kingdom, which had its capital at Calakmul during the Classic Period of Mesoamerican chronology.
The Second Tikal–Calakmul War was the second in a series of wars between Tikal and Calakmul known as The Tikal–Calakmul wars. Tikal and Calakmul were two of the most prosperous cities in Peten during the classic period of Mesoamerican chronology. After the classic came the post classic which was characterized by a decline in Maya civilization. During that time both Tikal and Calakmul were abandoned.
The Tikal–Calakmul wars were a series of wars, mainly between Tikal and Calakmul on the Yucatán Peninsula, but also with vassal states in the Petén Basin such as Copán, Dos Pilas, Naranjo, Sacul, Quiriguá, and briefly Yaxchilan had a role in initiating the first war.
The Yax Kuk Mo dynasty was the royal house that reigned in the city-state of Copan (Oxwitik) for four centuries. This was installed in the city in the year 426 a.C, due to Teotihuacan influence and military support from the ruler Sihyaj Chan K'awiil II of Tikal, who ruled between the 5th and 9th centuries. The architectural works built in Copán during the rule of the Yax K'uk Mo' dynasty are preserved to this day, being accessible to the general public. Yax Kuk Mo In mayan means First Quetzal Macaw.
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