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
[La Amelia]
Bonampak
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.[Cancuén]
[Caracol] 40px">File:Caracol-glif.png">40px
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'
[Cobá]
Comalcalco">Comalcalco (archaeological site)">Comalcalco
[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
[Dos Pilas] 40px">File:Dos Pilas maya glifo.jpg">40px
[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
[Ixkun]
[Ixtutz]
- c.780: Aj Yaxjal B’aak
[Lacanha]
- Aj Popol Chay
[Machaquila]
[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
[Naranjo] [File:El [Naranjo Glyphe.jpg|40px]]
[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
Historical rulers
[El Palma] 40x40px">File:El PALMA MAYAN EMBLEM GLYPH.png">40x40px
El Perú">El Perú (Maya site)">El Perú
Piedras Negras">Piedras Negras (Maya site)">Piedras Negras 40px">File:Piedras Negras.png">40px
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 40px">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 |
[Seibal]
[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 |
[Teotihuacan]
- c.378: Spearthrower Owl, ruled when his son took over Tikal.
[Tikal] 40px">File:Tikal (glyph).png">40px
[Toniná] 40px">File:Tonina.png">40px
[Ucanal]
- Itzamnaaj Bahlam, ruled at least between 698 and 702.
[Xultun]
- Yax Weʼnel Chan Kʼinich, depicted in a mural of a Late Classic room, 10K2
[Yaxchilan] 40px">File:Yaxchilán.png">40px
[Yaxha]
- c.799: Kʼinich Lakamtuun
[Yoʼokop]
- c.570: Na Chaʼak Kab, a Kaloomte that may have ruled under the overlord Sky Witness from Calakmul or Dzoyola.
[Yootz]
- 14 January 713–730: Yajawte K’inich
- c.730-750: K’ahk’ Yohl K’inich
- c.750-760: Taxin Chan
[El Zapote]
- c.404?: K’ahk Bahlam
- c.439: Chan K’awiil
[Zapote Bobal]
- ?: Yukul K’awiil
- ?: Ti’ K’awiil
- ?-559: Chan Ahk
- c.660: Janaab Ti’O
- ?-23 IV 663: Itzamnaaj Ahk
Known rulers of Mayan city-states in the Post-Classic Period
[Chichen Itzá]
- c.869–890: K’ak’upakal K’awiil, possibly ruler or a high-ranked official
- c.930–950: Ak-Holtun-Bahlam I
- ?-1047: Ak-Holtun-Bahlam II
- 1047-?: Poshek Ix Soi
- c.1194: Canek
[Cocom] dynasty
- Hunac Ceel, general who conquered the city in the 12th–13th century, and founded a new ruling family.
[Iximche]
[Izamal]
- c.1000?: Ah Ulil
[Mixco Viejo]
| Name | Ruled | Alternative names |
| Lajuj No'j | c.1450–c.1480 | Ichalkan Chi Kumkwat, Ychal Amollac Chicumcuat |
| Achi Q'alel | early 16th century | – |
[Q'umarkaj]
- c.1225–1250: Bahlam Kitze
- c.1250–1275: Kʼokʼoja
- c.1275–1300: E Tzʼikin
- c.1300–1325: Ajkan
- c.1325–1350: Kʼokaibʼ
- c.1350–1375: Kʼonache
- c.1375–1400: Kʼotuja
- c.1400–1435: Quqʼkumatz
- c.1435–1475: Kʼiqʼabʼ
- c.1475–1500: Vahxakʼ i-Kaam
- c.1500–1524: Oxib Keh
[Uxmal]