Mayan Government
Government was very important to the Mayans. The Mayan government was a social hierarchy. Kings were the rulers of cities and city-states. In addition, priests had important roles in the Mayan government and were sometimes the rulers of cities. Priests led many ceremonies for their gods, kings, or celebrations. Priests often were the godfathers and they helped in births of children. Priests were looked up to by the Mayans, for they were the only one who could understand the gods; therefore they could help the Mayan people be closer with their gods. The cocoa beans from cocao trees were sometimes used as the currency of the Mayan people.
K’inich Janaaab’ Pakal l (Ruler of Palenque A.D 615-683)
King Pakal helped Palenque to become a powerful city , which was because of change in military fortunes and political stability. Growth and peace of the city was because of the Palenque’s military and the victories of battles were very important. Pakal married to Lady Tz’akb’u Ajaw in 626. Pakal had the royal palace rebuilt and along with it he made new buildings in the city. In 654 there was a defeat that had Palenque’s patron deities thrown down. King Pakal recovered Palenque and unfortunately later died in 683. He was buried in a temple in which, Pakal, had prepared very royal.
King Pakal Video
Here is a video that gives you more detail about King Pakal. Enjoy!
Jasaw Chan K’awiil I. ( Ruler of Tikal A.D 682-734)
He inherited the throne of Tikal in 682 A.D. Jasaw Chan K’awiil l has many nicknames such as Ruler A, Ah Cacao, and Sky Rain. He had a wife named Lady Kalajuun Une’ Mo’ and they had a together son named Yik’in Chan K’awiil. Jasaw took over throne after his father’s defeat in 679 and was considered the first great Late Classic king. He was the 26th ruler of Tikal during his reign he installed many projects in Tikal. Also Jasaw made tremendous efforts to bring back the Tikal’s power. A factor that helped Tikal was Jasaw effort in new construction and monuments Jasaw is shown as a triumphal leader in monuments that are in temples. His death was in the year 734 A.D and he was buried until a Temple in Tikal
Yik’in Chan K’awiil ( Ruler of Tikal A.D 734-751)
Yik’in was the 27th ruler of Tikal and was nicknamed as Ruler B , since his father was the ruler before him. When Yik’in was in the throne he became known as one of Tikal’s greatest kings because he went in his father’s footsteps. Yik’in was able to destroy the power of Calakmul and take Tikal’s power back. He won many battles from different cities such as Calakumul in 736, Waka in 743, and Naranjo in 744. Yik’in had many palaces built, along with architecture.
B’alaj Chan K’awiil ( Ruler of Dos Pilas A.D 629-686)
B’alaj was the first ruler of Dos Pilas. His nickname was known as Flint Sky. By the age of 4, B’alaj was made King by his father, who was at the time the king of Tikal. In 672 , the king of Tikal attacked Dos Pilas and forced B’alaj to be banished from the land. For five years Tikal was in control and then in 677 an army from Calakmul attacked and allowed B’alaj to regain his power as ruler of Dos Pilas. In 679, B’alaj won a huge victory from Tikal and many texts were written about the major battle. B’alaj had two wives, whose names were Lady of Itzan and Lady B’ulu’. In 686, B’alaj died but his burial in unknown.
Yax Pasay Chan Yopaat ( Ruler of Copan A.D 763-820)
Yax was the 16th ruler of Copan. His nickname was known as Yax Pac. Yax was not a direct heir of the previous ruler. There is no information on his father or whether or not he married. Yax had a building built that was two-stories that was for his residence and private rituals. This building was called “sacred mountain”. Yax Pac had built many important monuments in Copan such as Altar Q, which was remembering the founding of Copan by K’inich Yaz K’uk’ Mo’. During Yax Pac’s reign, he had a lot of dedication to his city and made better monuments for Copan. Yax dies in 820 and is buried in a tomb underneath a building.