Siyah K'ak'
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Siyah K'ak' (alternative spelling: Siyaj K'ak' aka "Smoking Frog") was a prominent political firgure mentioned in the glyphs of Classic Era (250-800AD) Maya civilization monuments, principally Tikal and Uaxactun. His name means "Fire is born." He was the general of the Teotihuacano ruler Spearthrower Owl.
[edit] Overview
Originally from Teotihuacan or very closely allied with that city, Siyah K'ak' was a warlord in the Maya heartland of the Petén (modern Guatemala) during the 4th Century. In 378 and 379 he oversaw the replacing of the kings of important Maya states such as Tikal and Uaxactun with new rulers who claimed descent from Spearthrower Owl, probably the ruler of Teotihuacan. As Smoking Frog, he caused himself to be portrayed wearing Teotihuacano battle dress. It is during his lifetime that the public architecture of the Central Mexican capital began to be emulated in the Maya region; particularly the talud-tablero style so characteristic of the Mexican highland, and so atypical of Mayan building styles.
Siyah K'ak' remained a power in the region until his death early in the 5th Century, acting as overlord to such kings as Nun Yax Ayin (aka "Curl Nose") of Tikal. The appearance of Siyah K'ak' marks the beginning of a strong cultural influx from Central Mexico, although whether this was accomplished via peaceful interaction or military invasion is still being very actively debated.
