Maya rulers
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[edit] Symbols of Force
Mayan rulers were the centers of power for Mayan civilization. Each Mayan city-state had its own dynasty of kings, who drove the empire forward. Every man , woman, and child was expected to give everything for their rulers.
Mayan kings were expected to legitimize their claim of power. One of the ways to do this was to build a temple or pyramid. The Temple of the Giant Jaguar is a perfect example. This temple was built during the reign of Yikin Chan Kawiil. Kawiil was ruler of a city called Tikal, but just a few miles away lay Calakmul- one of Tikal's rivals. The Temple of the Giant Jaguar showed Calakmul that Kawiil wasn't going down easily or quickly. Another king named Pacal II "The Great" would later carry out this same show of power when building the Temple of Inscriptions.
Kings of the Maya were also considered to be godlike, so it was a catastrophe when a ruler died and left no heir to the throne. This situation usually resulted in war and bloodshed. King Pacal's precursor died upon the battlefield. However, instead of the kingdom erupting into chaos, the city of Palenque, a Mayan capitol city in southern Mexico, invited a young prince from a different city-state. The prince was only twelve years old. His name was Pacal. Pacal's Temple of Inscriptions towers still today, amid the ruins of Palenque, as the supreme symbol of Pacal's influence and power in Palenque.
Pacal and his predecessors not only built elaborate temples and pyramids. They expanded their city-state into a thriving empire. Under Yikin Chan Kawiil, 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.
Every single Mayan king created some form of monument to prove his power. Some still stand, and some are in ruin. But, one thing rings true about the Mayan rulers: Their symbols of strength, which awe us even in this time period, show the backbone of Maya civilization honestly was the king.
