Maya rulers facts for kids

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.

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 Palenque.

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

Aguateca

•  ?-770: Ucha'an K'an B'alam – father of Tan Te' Kinich, ruled in the 8th century AD.
• 770-c.802: Tan Te' K'inich – son of Ucha'an K'an B'alam

La Amelia

Name/Glyph	Other names	Image	Born	Reigned from	Reigned until	Death	Consort (s)	Monuments	Notes
Lachan Kʼawiil Ajaw Bot			25 June 760	1 May 802	After 804	After 804	?	Panels 1 and 2 Hieroglyphic Stairway 1	In 802, conducted a ritual supervised by king Tan Teʼ Kʼinich of Aguateca.

Bonampak

Name/Glyph	Other names	Image	Born	Reigned from	Reigned until	Death	Consort (s)	Monuments	Notes
Aj Yash Punim			?	c.400		?	?		Founder of the ruling dynasty.
Ruler of Stela 7			?	554	600	600 Bonampak	?	* Stela 7
Jasaw Chan Muwaan I			? Son of Ruler of Stela 7	600	605	605 Bonampak	?
Aj Olnal			? Son of Jasaw Chan Muwaan I	605	610 (deposed)	?	?
Aj Chan Tok'			?	610	611	?	?		Usurper, expelled Aj Olnal, but he returned the next year.
Aj Olnal			? Son of Jasaw Chan Muwaan I	611 (restored)	after 614	After 614	?
Vinakhab Tok'			?	643	After 648	After 648	?
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 Teleh			?	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	Temple 1 Stelae 1, 2 and 3

Calakmul

Name/Glyph	Other names	Image	Born	Reigned from	Reigned until	Death	Consort (s)	Monuments	Notes
Yuknoom Chʼeen I			?	c.484	c.520	c.520 Dzibanche	? at least onde child		Founder of the dynasty, or at least the first recorded ruler of the city.
Tuun K'ab' Hix	Cu Ix, Ku Ix, K'altuun 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.
Sky Witness			?	Before 561	572	572 Dzibanche	?		Made war with Tikal and won over that city, causing the collapse of the extensive power that Tikal had.
Yax Yopaat			?	572	579	579 Dzibanche	?		His life is mostly unknown today.
Uneh Chan	Scroll Serpent		? Dzibanche	2 September 579	611	611 Dzibanche	Lady Scroll-in-Hand at least one child
Yuknoom Ti' 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	1 October 630	1 October 630	?
Yuknoom Head	Cauac Head		? Dzibanche (Third?) son of Uneh Chan and Lady Scroll-in-Hand	630	636	636	?	Stelae 76 and 78
Yuknoom Chʼeen II the Great			11 September 600 Dzibanche (Fourth?) son of Uneh Chan and Lady Scroll-in-Hand	28 April 636	686	686 Calakmul (aged around 85/86)	? at least three children	Stelae 9, 13, 30?, 31, 32?, 33, 34?, 35, 36, 37?, 75, 77?, 79, 85?, 86, 87?, 93 and 94	His daughter married a lord from La Corona.
Yuknoom Yichʼaak Kʼahkʼ			? Son of Yuknoom Chʼeen II	c.686	c.701	c.701?	?	Unknown at least one child
Split Earth			?	c.695		?	?		Probably a co-ruler.
Yuknoom Tookʼ Kʼawiil	Ruler 5/6/7		? Son of Yuknoom Yichʼaak Kʼahkʼ	c.702	c.731	c.731 Calakmul	Lady of Stela 54 possibly three children	Stelae 1, 7?, 8, 23, 24, 38, 39?, 40, 41?, 42?, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 and 89	His daughter married a lord from La Corona.
Wamaw K'awiil			? Son (possibly) of Yuknoom Tookʼ Kʼawiil and Lady of Stela 54	c.736		?	? at least one child
Bolon K'awiil I	Ruler Y Ruler 8		? Calakmul Son of Wamaw K'awiil	c.741		?	?	Stelae 25, 26, 27, 59 and 60
Great Serpent	Ruler 8 Ruler Z		?	c.751		?	Lady of Stela 88	Stelae 62 (unfinished) and 68
Bolon Kʼawiil II	Ruler 9		?	c.771	c.789	c.789 Calakmul	?	Stelae 57 and 58
Chan Pet			?	c.849		?	?
Aj Took			?	c.909		?	?	Stela 61	Last known ruler of the city.

Cancuén

Caracol

• 331–349: Te' K'ab Chaak
• c. 470: K'ahk' Ujol K'inich I
• 484–514: Yajaw Te' K'inich I
• 531–534: K'an I
• 553–593: Yajaw Te' K'inich II (Lord Water)
• 599–613: Knot Ajaw
• 618–658: K'an II
• 658–680: K'ahk' Ujol K'inich II
• c. 700: Ruler VII
• mid 8th century: name unknown
• 793: Tum Yohl K'inich
• 798: K'inich Joy K'awiil
• 810–830: K'inich Toob'il Yoaat
• 835–849: K'an III
• 859: Ruler XIII

Cobá

(Note: the order of the rulers is unknown)

• c.500? -?: Yu’npik Tok’, founded the city and the ruling family, which lasted in power until 780
•  ?: K’ahk’ Chitam
•  ?: Uxman K’awiil
•  ?: Yopaat Taj Naaj
•  ?: Lady Yopaat
•  ?: K’ahk’ Yopaat
•  ?: K’aloomte
•  ?: Xaman K’awiil
•  ?: Ruler A (unknown)
•  ?: Ruler B (unknown)
•  ?: Ruler C (unknown)
•  ?: Ruler D (unknown)
•  ?: Ruler E (unknown)

Copán

(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	Other names	Image	Born	Reigned from	Reigned until	Death	Consort (s)	Monuments	Notes
Kʼinich Yax Kʼukʼ Moʼ	Great Sun, Quetzal Macaw		c.380/390? Tikal	426	437	437 Copán (aged around 47/57?)	? at least one child	Hunal tomb in Temple 16	Came from Tikal. Founder of Copán lineage, he also founded Quirigua's by installing there the first king, Tok Casper.
Kʼinich Popol Hol	Great Sun		c.415 Copán Son of Kʼinich Yax Kʼukʼ Moʼ	437	470	c.470 Copán (aged around 54/55?)	?	Stelae 18 & 63 Motmot capstone Xukpi Stone	Co-ruler with his father since 430, as he was shown in Structure 10L-26, dated to 9 December 435. 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.
Ku Ix	K'altuun Hix, Tuun K'ab' Hix, Ruler 4		?	c.470?	476	c.476 Copán	?	Stela 34 Papagayo Step CPN 584	Co-ruler since 465.
Ruler 5			?	c.475?		?	?
Muyal Jol	Ruler 6		?	c.485?	504	c.504 Copán	?
Bahlam Nehn	Mirror Jaguar, Waterlily Jaguar		?	504	524 or 544	524 or 544 Copán	? at least one child	Stela 15 Ante Step Stele 16 of Caracol (possibly) Stela E of Quirigua
Wil Ohl Kʼinich	Head on Earth, Ruler 8		? Copán Son of Bahlam Nehn	532	551	551 Copán	?		If Bahlam Nehn ruled until 544, Wil Ohl K'inich was a co-ruler until the former's death.
Sak-Lu	Ruler 9		? Copán Son of Wil Ohl Kʼinich	551	553	553 Copán	?	A step of the Hieroglyphic Stairway
Tzi-Bahlam	Moon Jaguar, Ruler 10		? Copán Son of Bahlam Nehn	May 553	22 October 578	22 October 578 Copán	?	Stelae 9 & 17 Rosalila Step
K'ak' Chan Yopaat	Butz' Chan, Smoke Serpent		564? Copán	15 November 578	5 February 628	5 February 628 Copán (aged around 64?)	?	Stelae 7 & P Altars Y? & X?
Chan Imix K'awiil	Smoke Jaguar, Smoke Imix		597 or 612 Copán	8 or 21 February 628	15 June 695	15 June 695 Copán (aged around 78/79 or 97/98)	?	Stelae 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 12, 13, 19, 23 Altars H', I', K & 5 Burial in Temple 26	Probably the longest-reigning ruler of the city.
Uaxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiil	Oxwitik, 18 Rabbit		?	2 January or 15 June 695	12 May 736	12 May 736 Quiriguá	?	Stelae A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J & 4 Altar S Lower Hieroglyphic Stairway of Temple 26 Step of Temple 22 Ballcourt AIIb markers Ballcourt A-III text & markers	If ascended on 2 January, he briefly co-ruled with his predecessor. He was captured and executed by the ruler of Quirigua.
Kʼakʼ Joplaj Chan Kʼawiil	Smoke Monkey		?	7 or 11 June 738	January 749	January 749 Copán	? at least one child
Kʼakʼ Yipyaj Chan Kʼawiil	Smoke Shell, Smoke Squirrel		? Son of Kʼakʼ Joplaj Chan Kʼawiil	18 February 749	c.761 or January 763	c.761 or January 763 Copán	A lady from Palenque at least one child	Stelae M & N Upper Hieroglyphic Stairway of Temple 26 Temple 26 text. Burial in Temple 11 (probably)
Yax Pasaj Chan Yopaat	Yax Pac, Rising Sun		? Copán Son of Kʼakʼ Yipyaj Chan Kʼawiil	2 July 763	c.810	c.810 Copán		Stelae 8 & 29 Altars G, G2, G3, Q, R, T, U, V, Z, B', C', D', F', G', W', J?, 41 CPNs 157, 244, 19119, 19222, 19469, 23748, 2843 and 26300; Temple 22a Stone Temple 11 Wall Panels, Step & Reviewing Stand Temple 18 Door jamb and Wall Texts Temple 21a Bench 9N-82, Harvard and Tegucigalpa Benches, House Models from Structures 29 & 33 Various incense burners. Burial in Temple 18
Ukit Took	Yax Pac, Yax Pasah 18 Rabbit		?	6 or 10 February 822	c.830	c.830 (or after)	?	Altar L (unfinished)	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.

Dos Pilas

Name/Glyph	Other names	Image	Born	Reigned from	Reigned until	Death	Consort (s)	Monuments	Notes
B'alaj Chan K'awiil	Ruler 1, Flint Sky, Flint Sky God K, Lightning Sky, Malah Chan K'awil		15 October 625 Tikal Son of K'inich Muwaan Jol II, King of Tikal	648	692	c.692 Dos Pilas (aged around 66/67)	Lady of Itzan at least two children Lady Bulu' at least one child		He probably saw himself as the legitimate heir to the Tikal throne. Howwever, 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 B'alaj Chan K'awiil, from Tikal royal line.
Itzamnaaj B'alam	Shield Jaguar		? Dos Pilas Son of B'alaj Chan K'awiil and Lady of Itzan	c.695		? Dos Pilas	?		Little is known about him. He probably had a short reign.
Itzamnaaj K'awiil	Ruler 2 Shield God K		25 January 673 Calakmul Son of B'alaj Chan K'awiil and Lady of Itzan	24 March 698	22 October 726	22 October 726 Dos Pilas (aged 53)	? at least one child	Tomb under Structure L5-1
Ucha'an K'in B'alam	Ruler 3, Master of the Sun Jaguar, Scroll-head God K, Spangle-head, Jewelled-head		?	6 January 727	28 May 741	28 May 741 Dos Pilas	Lady GI-Kʼawiil of Cancuén no children?	Stela 5	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 K'awiil	23 June 741	c.761	After 761	?	Panel 19	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.

Ek' Balam

• Ukit Kan Leʼk Tokʼ

Holmul

(Note: No known dates)

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

Ixkun

Ixtutz

• c.780: Aj Yaxjal B’aak

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 K'inich I
• c.700–725: Sak Muwaan
• c.725-735: Tayel Chan K'inich
•  ?: Sihyaj K'awiil
• c.742–755: Yajaw Teʼ Kʼinich (son of Sak Muwaan)
• c.755–779: Lamaw Ek'

Naranjo

Name/Glyph	Other names	Image	Born	Reigned from	Reigned until	Death	Consort (s)	Monuments	Notes
Tzik'in Bahlam			?	?		?	?	Stela 45	First known ruler.
?			?	c.475		?	?	Stela 41
Naatz Chan Ahk			?	?		?	?
K'inich Tajal Chaak			? Naranjo Son of Lady Casper	?		?	?
Pik Chan Ahkul			?	?		?	Lady Stone-in-Hand Sky at least one child		Inferred as king by his son's inscriptions.
Aj Wosal Chan K'inich	Double Comb		534 Naranjo Son of Pik Chan Ahkul and Lady Stone-in-Hand Sky	5 May 546	615	615 Naranjo (aged around 80/81)	?	Stela 15?, 16, 17, 25, 27, 38, 41 Altar 1
?			?	c.626		?	?		Defeated by Caracol
K'uxaj			?	c.631		?	?		Defeated by Calakmul
K'ahk' Xiiw Chan Chaahk			?	c.644	c.680	c.680 Naranjo	?		37th ruler of Naranjo, according to the inscriptions on the site. His rule, however, didn't produce any surviving monuments. He was victorious against Caracol.
Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan Chaak (Under regency of Lady Wak Chanil of Dos Pilas until 26 March 706)	Smoking Squirrel		4 January 688 Naranjo Son of K'ak' U ? Chan Chaak and Lady Wak Chanil of Dos Pilas	31 May 693	c.720	c.720 (or after) Naranjo (aged around 31/32)	Lady Unen Bahlam of Tuub'al 21 March 710 at least one child	Stelae 1, 2, 3, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 28, 29, 30 and 31	His father was probably a cousin of K'ahk' Xiiw Chan Chaahk. Shortly after his accesson, Naranjo fought and won a series of victories against polities, some of whom may have been rebelling against K'ak' Tiliw's mother. It's possible that was his mother the organizer of many of Naranjo campaigns that, early in his reign, defeated Yaxha, Tikal, and Ucanal.
Wak Chanil of Dos Pilas	Lady Six Sky		15 July 669 (or after) Dos Pilas Daughter of Bʼalaj Chan Kʼawiil, King of Dos Pilas and Lady Bulu'	11 October 721	11 February 741	11 February 741 Naranjo (aged around 72)	K'ak' U ? Chan Chaak of Naranjo at least one child	Stelae 3, 18, 24, 29, 31	Mother of her predecessor. Previously regent on her son's behalf, from 721 assumed the reins of the kingdom herself as queen regnant.
Yax Mayuy Chan Chaak			? Naranjo Son of K'ak' U ? Chan Chaak and Lady Wak Chanil of Dos Pilas	c.741	4 February 744	4 February 744 Naranjo or Tikal?	?	Stelae 18 and 46 Stela 5 of Tikal	Defeated by Tikal and sacrificed.
K'ak' Yipiiy Chan Chaak			?	15 August 746	748	748 Naranjo	?	Stela 20
K'ahk' Ukalaw Chan Chaak			? Naranjo Son of Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan Chaak and Lady Unen Bahlam of Tuub'al	8 November 755	780	780 Naranjo	Lady Star Shell of Yaxha at least two children	Stelae 6, 11, 13, 19, 33, 36
Bat K'awiil			? Naranjo Son of K'ahk' Ukalaw Chan Chaak and Lady Star Shell of Yaxha	?		?	?
Itzamnaaj K'awiil	Shield God K, Shield		13 March 771 Naranjo Son of K'ahk' Ukalaw Chan Chaak and Lady Star Shell of Yaxha	4 February 784	810	c.810 Naranjo (aged around 38/39)		Stelae 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 35	He was victorious against Yaxha.
Waxaklajuun Ub'aah K'awiil			?	c.814		?	?	Stela 32 of Ucanal

Palenque

Mythological and legendary rulers

• ?-Muwaan Mat c.2325 BC
• Uk'ix Chan c.987 BC
• Casper c.252 BC

Palenque dynasty

Name/Glyph	Other names	Image	Born	Reigned from	Reigned until	Death	Consort (s)	Monuments	Notes
Kʼukʼ Bahlam I	Kuk, Bahlum K'uk'		30 March 397 Palenque	10 March 431	435	435 Palenque (aged 37/38)	?	One stone censer	Founder of the dynasty.
Casper	11 Rabbit		8 August 422 Palenque Son of Kʼukʼ Bahlam I?	9 August 435	c.487	c.487 Palenque (aged 64/65)	?
Bʼutz Aj Sak Chiik	Manik		15 November 459 Palenque Son of Casper?	28 July 487	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 Palenque Son of Casper?	3 June 501	29 November 524	29 November 524 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 Palenque Son of Ahkal Moʼ Nahb I?	6 February 529	6 February 565	6 February 565 Palenque (aged 74)	? two children
Ahkal Moʼ Nahb II	Chaacal II, Akul Anab II		3 September 523 Palenque Son of Kʼan Joy Chitam I	2 May 565	21 July 570	21 July 570 Palenque (aged 46)	? no children
Kan Bahlam I	Chan Bahlum I		18 September 524 Palenque Son of Kʼan Joy Chitam I	6 April 572	1 February 583	1 February 583 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	5 November 604	5 November 604 Palenque	? two children
Ajen Yohl Mat	Aj Ne' Ohl Mat, Ac Kan, Ahl Lawal Mat		? Palenque Son of Yohl Ikʼnal?	1 January 605	8 or 11 August 612	8 or 11 August 612 Palenque	? two children		During his reign (4 April 611), Palenque was invaded by Calakmul.
Janahb Pakal	Janaab Pakal, Pakal I		? Palenque Son of Yohl Ikʼnal?	c.612		c.612 Palenque	Yohl Ikʼnal? at least one child		Position uncertain.
Sak K'uk'	Muwaan Mat, Lady Beastie		? Palenque Daughter of Janahb Pakal I and Yohl Ikʼnal?	20 October 612	27 July 615	10 September 640 Palenque	Kʼan Moʼ Hix one or two children		Abdicated to her son.
Kʼinich Janaabʼ Pakal I the Great	Pacal, 8 Ahau, Sun Shield		19 March 603 Palenque Son of Kʼan Moʼ Hix and Sak K'uk'	27 July 615	26 August 683	26 August 683 Palenque aged 80	Tzʼakbu three children	Temple El Olvidado Additions to the Palace of Palenque Building E (Sak Nuk Naah, "White Skin House") Houses A, B and C	He was responsible for the construction or extension of some of Palenque's most notable surviving inscriptions and monumental architecture.
K'inich Kan Bahlam II	Chan Bahlum II		May 635 Palenque Son of Kʼinich Janaabʼ Pakal I and Tzʼakbu	January 684	February 702	February 702 Palenque aged 66	? no children	Tablets and Alfardas of the Temples of the Cross, Sun and Foliated Cross; Tablets and facade of the Temple of the Inscriptions Temple 17 Panel Death's Head Jonuta Panel Temple of the Cross Stela	He continued the ambitious project of adorning Palenque with fine art and architecture begun by his father.
K'inich K'an Joy Chitam II	Kan Xul II, K'an Hok' Chitam On II		31 October 644 Palenque Son of Kʼinich Janaabʼ Pakal I and Tzʼakbu	28 May 702	c.721	721 Palenque aged 76/77	? no children	Tablets and Alfardas of the Temples of the Cross, Sun and Foliated Cross; Tablets and facade of the Temple of the Inscriptions Temple 17 Panel Death's Head Jonuta Panel Temple of the Cross Stela	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 Palenque Son of Tiwol Chan Mat and Kinuw	30 December 721	c.736	c.736 Palenque aged 57/58	Men Nik one child	Temple XVIII texts Temple XIX bench and texts Temple XXI texts Tablets of the Orator and Scribe Bundle Panel House E Painted text?	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	Bodega no. 1144	Probable brother of the predecessor.
K'inich Kan Bahlam III			?	c.751		?	?		A text at Pomona, the only source of his existence, suggests that his reign was short or troubled.
K'inich K'uk' Bahlam II	Bahlum K'uk' II, Mahk'ina K'uk'		? Palenque Son of Kʼinich Ahkal Moʼ Nahb III and Men Nik	4 March 764	c.783	c.783 Palenque	?	Tablet of the 96 glyphs Creation Tablet House B Mural? Bodega no. 218
Janaab Pakal III	6 Cimi Pakal		?	13 November 799	?		?

El Perú

• 672–692: Lady K'abel

Piedras Negras

Name/Glyph	Other names	Image	Born	Reigned from	Reigned until	Death	Consort (s)	Monuments	Notes
K'an Ahk I	Ruler A Turtleshell		?	c.297		?	?		Ruler A was later captured by Moon Skull of Yaxchilan
K'an Ahk II	Ruler B		?	c.478		?	?
Yat Ahk I	Ah Cauac Ah K'in Turtletooth		?	c.510		?	?
Ruler C			?	June 30, 514	c.520	c.520 Piedras Negras	?	Panel 12
K'inich Yo'nal Ahk I	Ruler 1		?	14 November 603	3 February 639	3 February 639 Piedras Negras	Bird Headdress at least one child	Stelae 25, 26, 31 R-5 Pyramid	Some scholars have argued that K'inich Yo'nal Ahk I refounded the ruling dynasty at Piedras Negras.
Itzam K'an Ahk I	Ruler 2		22 May 626 Piedras Negras Son of K'inich Yo'nal Ahk I and Bird Headress	12 April 639	15 November 686	15 November 686 Piedras Negras (aged 50)	White Bird at least one child	Stelae 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 Panels 2, 4, 7 Throne 2
K'inich Yo'nal Ahk II	Ruler 3		29 November 664 Piedras Negras Son of Itzam K'an Ahk I and White Bird	2 January 687	c. 729	c. 729 Piedras Negras (aged 64/65)	K'atun of Namaan (5 July 674 – after 28 June 729) 686 one child	Stelae 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 J-5 Pyramid courtyard Altar 1 Panel 15
Itzam K'an Ahk II	Ruler 4		18 November 701 Piedras Negras	9 November 729	26 November 757	26 November 757 Piedras Negras (aged 56)	? possibly three children	Stelae 9, 10, 11, 22, 40 O-13 Pyramid Altar 2	There is evidence that Itzam K'an Ahk II started a new patriline at Piedras Negras.
Yo'nal Ahk III	Ruler 5		? Piedras Negras Son of Itzam K'an Ahk II	10 March 758	c. 767	c. 767 Piedras Negras	?	Stelae 14, 16
Ha' K'in Xook	Ruler 6		? Piedras Negras Son of Itzam K'an Ahk II	14 February 767	24 March 780	24 March 780 or after 780 Piedras Negras	?	Stelae 13, 18, 23	Appears to have either died or abdicated. Scholars are unsure if March 24, 780 AD refers to Ha' K'in Xook's death date, or rather the date of his burial.
K'inich Yat Ahk II	Ruler 7		? Piedras Negras Son of Itzam K'an Ahk II	31 May 781	c. 808	c. 808 Piedras Negras	?	Stelae 12, 15 Altar 4 Panel 1?, 3 Throne 1	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.

Pusilha

• c.569-595: K’awiil Chan K’inich (this first ruler and dynasty probably descended from the first dynasty of Naranjo)
• 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 (began a new line of rulers)
• c.750-768: K’ahk Kalav
• c.768-c.800?: K’awiil Chan

Quiriguá

Río Azul

• Ruler X, not yet satisfactorily deciphered.

Sacul

• c.760–790: Ch'iyel

Plan de Ayutla

Seibal

Tamarindito

Teotihuacan

• c.378: Spearthrower Owl, ruled when his son took over Tikal.

Tikal

Name/Glyph	Other names	Image	Born	Reigned from	Reigned until	Death	Consort (s)	Monuments	Notes
Yax Ehb' Xok	Yax Moch Xok, Yax Chakte'l Xok, First Scaffold Shark		?	c.90		?	?		Founder of Tikal lineage
? Bahlam	Foliated Jaguar Decorated Jaguar Scroll Ahau Jaguar		?	c.292		?	?	Stelae 29 and 31
K'inich Ehb'	Animal Headdress		?	?		?	Lady Skull at least one child	Stela 1 of El Encanto
Sihyaj Chan Kʼawiil I			? Tikal Son of K'inich Ehb' and Lady Skull	c.307		?	?
Unen Bahlam	Lady Une' B'alam		?	c.317		?	?	Stela 31 (twice) Small sherd (fragment of a vase)	Assumed to be female, the sex of this ruler is in fact unclear.
Kʼinich Muwaan Jol	Mahk'ina Bird Skull, Feather Skull		?	?	23 May 359	23 May 359 Tikal	Bahlam Way at least one child	Stelae 28 and 39 Dynastic vase Stela from Corozal Sculpture named Man of Tikal
Chak Tok Ichʼaak I	Great Paw, Great Jaguar Paw, Toh Chak Ichʼak		? Tikal Son of Kʼinich Muwaan Jol and Bahlam Way	7 August 360	14 January 378	14 January 378 Tikal	?	Stelae 26, 31 and 39 Stela from Corozal Sculpture named Man of Tikal	In the day he died, Tikal was invaded by troops led by Siyaj Kʼakʼ, who overthrew the reigning family.
Yax Nuun Ayiin I	Curl Snout Curl Nose		? Teotihuacan Son of Spearthrower Owl	12 September 379	17 June 404	17 June 404 Tikal	Lady K'inich at least one child	Stelae 4, 18 and 31 Sculpture named Man of Tikal Burial 10 of Temple 34	Probably son of the king of Teotihuacan, 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	3 February 456	3 February 456 Tikal	Lady Ayiin at least one child	Stelae 1, 28, 31 and 40 Burial 48 of Temple 33
Kʼan Chitam	Kan Boar K'an Ak		26 November 415 Tikal Son of Sihyaj Chan Kʼawiil II and Lady Ayiin	8 August 458	486	486 Tikal (aged 70/71)	Lady Tzutz Nik at least one child	Stelae 2, 9, 13 and 40
Chak Tok Ichʼaak II	Jaguar Paw II Jaguar Paw Skull		? Tikal Son of Kʼan Chitam and Lady Tzutz Nik	486	24 July 508	24 July 508 Tikal	Lady Hand Probably two children	Stelae 3, 7, 15, 21, and possibly 26.
Yo K'in	Lady of Tikal		1 September 504 Tikal Daughter of Chak Tok Ichʼaak II and Lady Hand?	19 April 511	527	After 527 Tikal	?	Stelae 6, 12 and 23	Ruled jointly. Possibly married?
Kaloomteʼ Bahlam	Curl Head		?	c.511 Tikal	527	After 527 Tikal	?	Stelae 10, 12 and 25
Bird Claw	Animal Skull		?	?		?	?	Stela 8	Ruled after Yo K'in. He carried a high-ranking name but no Tikal emblem. Possibly an interim ruler, or usurper?
Wak Chan Kʼawiil	Double Bird		January 508 Tikal Son of Chak Tok Ichʼaak II and Lady Hand	27 December 537	562	562 Tikal (aged 53/54)	?	Stela 17 Altar 21 of Caracol
K'inich Waaw	Animal Skull Lizard Head, Ete II		? Tikal Son of Fire Cross and Lady Hand Sky of Bahlam	562? or 593	628	628 Tikal	?
K'inich Wayaan?	23rd Ruler?		?	c. 635 (if he is the 23rd Ruler) or c.628–650		?	?	Ceramics	Probably identifiable with 23rd Ruler?
K'inich 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	Lintel 3 of Temple 1
Jasaw Chan Kʼawiil I	Ruler A Ah Cacao Sky Rain		? Tikal Son of Nuun Ujol Chaak and Lady Jaguar Seat	3 May 682	734	734 Tikal	Lady Lahan Unen Moʼ at least one child	Tikal Temple I Lintels 2 and 3 of Temple 1	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	766?	766? Tikal	? at least two children	Stelae 5, 20 and 21	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	c.794	c.794 Tikal	?	Stelae 19 and 21 Altars 6 and 10
Nuun Ujol Kʼinich			?	Between 794 and 810		?	? at least one child	Lintel of Temple 3
Dark Sun			? Tikal Son of Nuun Ujol Kʼinich	c.849		?	?	Stela 24 Altar 7 Lintel 2 of Temple 3
Jewel K'awiil			?	c.849		?	?
Jasaw Chan Kʼawiil II	Stella 11 Ruler		?	c.869	c.889	c.889? Tikal	?	Stela 11 Stela 12 of Uaxactun

Toniná

Ucanal

• Itzamnaaj Bahlam, ruled at least between 698 and 702.

Xultun

• Yax We'nel Chan K'inich, depicted in a mural of a Late Classic room, 10K2

Yaxchilan

Name/Glyph	Other names	Image	Born	Reigned from	Reigned until	Death	Consort (s)	Monuments	Notes
Yopaat Bahlam I			?	23 July 359	?	?	?		Founder of Yaxchilan lineage.
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	?	?	?
K'inich Tatb'u 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
Joy Bahlam I	Knot-eye Jaguar I		? Yaxchilan Son of Yaxun Bahlam II and Lady Chuwen	508	518	518 Yaxchilan	? at least two children	Stela 27
K'inich Tatb'u Jol II			? Yaxchilan Son of Yaxun Bahlam II and Lady Chuwen	11 February 526	537	537 Yaxchilan	? at least two children	Temple 12 Lintel 35
Joy Bahlam II	Knot-eye Jaguar II		?	c.560	c.570	c.570 Yaxchilan	?
Itzamnaaj Bahlam II	Shield Jaguar II		?	c.599 or c.599-611		?	?
K'inich Tatb'u Jol III			?	?		?	? at least one child
Yaxun Bahlam III	6-Tun-Bird Jaguar Bird Jaguar III		? Yaxchilan Son of K'inich Tatb'u Jol III	631	681	681 Yaxchilan	Lady Pacal (c.607?–705) at least one child	Stela 6 Lintel 4
Itzamnaaj Bahlam III	Shield Jaguar III		647 Yaxchilan Son of Yaxun Bahlam III and Lady Pacal	23 October 681	15 June 742	15 June 742 Yaxchilan (aged 94/95)	Lady Xoc Lady Eveningstar of Calakmul (1 September 704–751) at least one child Lady Sak B'iyaan	Temple 23 Lintels 24, 25, 26 Stelae 5, 11, 18, 35
Yopaat Bahlam II		?	?	c.749		?	?
Yaxun Bahlam IV	Bird Jaguar IV		709 Yaxchilan Son of Itzamnaaj Bahlam III 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	Lintels 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 16, 17, 21, 22, 29, 41 Stela 10, 11
Itzamnaaj Bahlam IV	Shield Jaguar IV		18 February 752 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	Lintel 2
K'inich Tatb'u Jol IV			? Son of Itzamnaaj Bahlam IV and Lady Chab-Ahab	c.808		?	?	Lintel 10	Last known ruler of the city.

Yaxha

• c.799: K'inich Lakamtuun

Yo'okop

• 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

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

This city is here included because, despite of being founded in the Classic period, attained the peak of its influence already in the Post Classic.

Tutul Xiu dynasty

• c.500: Hun Uitzil Chac, founded the kingdom in year 500.
•  ?: Ah Suytok
• c.890-910: K’ahk Pulaj Chan Chaak
• 987-1007: Ak Mekat
• 1441-1461: Ah Xiu Xupan

See also

In Spanish: Gobernante maya para niños