Maya monarchs

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.

Symbols of power

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 Palenqusix.

Succession

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.

Expansion

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.

Responsibilities

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. 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.

Known rulers of Mayan city-states in the Classic Period

Aguas Calientes

c.790: Chak Lakamtuun

[Aguateca]

?_770: Uchaʼan Kʼan Bʼalam – father of Tan Te' Kinich, ruled in the 8th century AD.
770_c.802: Tan Teʼ Kʼinich – son of Uchaʼan Kʼan Bʼalam

[Altun Ha]

4 December 584ʼ?: Til Man K'inich

Calakmul-Dzibanche 40px">File:Calacmul.png">40px

The kings of Calakmul-Dzibanche were known as k'uhul kaan ajawob . This list is not continuous, as the archaeological record is incomplete. All dates AD.

El Cayo">El Cayo (Maya site)">El Cayo

Aj Chak Wayab' K'utim
Chan Panak' Wayib
Aj Chak Suutz' K'utiim

[Chinikiha]

K’inich B’ah Tok'
Aj Tok' Ti'

Comalcalco">Comalcalco (archaeological site)">Comalcalco

?-649: Ox Balam

[La Corona]

c.520-544: Chak Took Ichʼaak
c.658: Chak Naahb Kaan
667-679: Kʼinich Yook
?: Chak Ak'aach Took
c.721: Yajaw Teʼ Kʼinich

[Dzibilchaltun]

c.800: Ukuw Chan Chaak

[Ekʼ Balam] 40px">File:Ek Balam - Tohol.jpg">40px

Ukit Kan Leʼk Tokʼ
K'an B'ohb' Tok'
Ukit Jol' Ahkul
K'ihnich Junpik' Tok' Ku'uh Nal

[Edzná]

Unen-Kʼawiil
Sihyaj Chan Kʼawiil
Kal-Chan-Chaak
Bʼaah Pahk, wife of the former
Janaab Yook Kʼinich
Hul Janaab Chanek
Chan Chawaj
Aj-Koht-Chowa-Nahkaan
Pdrich
Ajan

La Florida

?: Sihyaj Chan Kʼawiil
?: Aj Pat Chan
?: Chakaj Chaak
c.677: Bahlam Kʼawiil
c.681: Kʼahk Tiʼ Kuy
?: Uh Tiʼ Kuy
c.700: Tahn Tuun Chaak
c.731: Lady Chaak
731-766: Kʼahk Chan Yopaat
c.790: A king, depicted in Stela 1

[Holmul]

?: Och Chan Yopaat
?: Sakhb Chan Yopaat Makcha
?: K’inich Tacal Tun
?: Vilaan Chak Tok Vakhab

[Ixtutz]

c.780: Aj Yaxjal B’aak

[Lacanha]

Aj Popol Chay

[La Mar]

781-?: Parrot Chaak

[Moral Reforma]

662-after 690: Muwaan Jol, ascended under king Yuknoom of Calakmul; however, in 690, ascended once again under the king of Palenque.

[Motul de San José]

701-c.710: Yichte Kʼinich I
c.700–725: Sak Muwaan
c.725–735: Tayel Chan Kʼinich
?: Sihyaj Kʼawiil
c.742–755: Yajaw Teʼ Kʼinich
c.755–779: Lamaw Ekʼ

[Palenque] 40px">File:Palenke (majai).png">40px

Mythological and legendary rulers

?-Muwaan Mat c.2325 BC
Ukʼix Chan c.987 BC
Casper c.252 BC

Pomona">Pomona, Tabasco">Pomona

Muyal Hix Chaahk

[Pusilha]

c.569–595: K’awiil Chan K’inich
c.595–650: K’ahk U’ Ti’ Chan
c.650–670: Muyal Naah K’ukhul K’ahk’ U’
c.670–680: Ruler D
c.680–710: Ruler E
c.710–731: Lady Ich’aak K’inich
c.731–750: K’ahk Chan
c.750–768: K’ahk Kalav
c.768-c.800?: K’awiil Chan

[Quiriguá] 40px">File:Qirigua.png">40px

Name	Ruled	Dynastic succession no.
"Tok Casper"	426–?	1
Tutuum Yohl Kʼinich	c. 455	?
"Ruler 3"	c. 480	?
"Ruler 4"	?–?	3?
Mih Toh	493–	4?
Kʼawiil Yopaat	c. 653	?
Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan Yopaat	724–785	14
"Sky Xul"	785 – c. 795	15
"Jade Sky"	c. 800 – c. 810	17?

[Río Azul]

Ruler X, not yet satisfactorily deciphered.

Sacul">Sacul, El Petén">Sacul [File:Sacul [emblem glyph.gif|40px]]

c.760–790: Ch'iyel

Sak Tz'i">Sak tz’i (Maya site)">Sak Tz'i

Name	Dates
U K'ab'	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

[Tamarindito]

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