Yaxun Bʼalam IV
Yaxun Bʼahlam IV, also called Bird Jaguar IV, was a Mayan king from Yaxchilan. He ruled from 752 until 768 AD, continuing the period of prosperity started by his father Itzamnaaj Bʼahlam III. He had to struggle to take and hold power, as he was not perceived to be the rightful heir to the throne.
Early life
Yaxun Bʼahlam was the son of Itzamnaaj Bʼahlam and Lady Eveningstar. Lady Eveningstar was not the first wife of Itzamnaaj Bʼahlam and was from Calakmul.As Bird Jaguar was not the son of Lady Xook, he was not completely of the royal blood and would have difficulty acquiring the throne. Itzamnaaj Bʼahlam commissioned a stele to be carved showing both Yaxun Bʼahlam and Lady Xook in the same panel, thus legitimating Yaxun.
Accession
There is a ten-year gap between the death of Itzamnaaj Bʼahlam III and the beginning of the reign of Yaxun Bʼahlam. A contemporaneous inscription from Piedras Negras mentions a ruler named Sak Jukub Yopaat B'ahlam being in office in July 749. On that day, Sak Jukub Yopaat B'ahlam witnessed the anniversary of Piedras Negras Ruler 4's accession. Either Sak Jukub erected no monuments, or they were destroyed by Yaxun B'ahlam, as he is only mentioned one time at Piedras Negras. This may indicate a struggle for the throne. Also, as Piedras Negras and Yaxchilan were rivals, this could have meant that Piedras Negras had gained control of Yaxchilan for a short time or at least had a more peaceful dynamic during those years.His accession was uniquely marked by a ritual dance with the K'awiil sceptre. Yaxun Bʼahlam took the throne on May 3, 752, but he had problems even after he succeeded. In order to legitimize his claim to the throne, Yaxun Bʼahlam had a series of stelae created that pictured him with his father.