Yaxun B'alam IV

Yaxun B’alam IV, also called Bird Jaguar IV, is a Mayan king from Yaxchilan known by the name Yaxun B’alam. He ruled from 752 until 768 AD, continuing the period of prosperity started by his father Itzamnaaj B'alam II. He had to struggle to take and hold power, as he was not perceived to be the rightful heir to the throne.

Early life

Yaxun B’alam IV was the son of Itzamnaaj B'alam II and Lady Eveningstar. Lady Eveningstar was not the first wife of Itzamnaaj B'alam and was from Calakmul. As Bird Jaguar was not the son of Lady Xoc (Itzamnaaj B'alam's first wife), he was not completely of the royal blood and would have difficulty acquiring the throne. Itzamnaaj B'alam commissioned a stele to be carved showing both Yaxun B'alam and Lady Xoc in the same panel, thus legitimating Yaxun.

Accession

There is a ten year gap between the death of Itzamnaaj B'alam II and the beginning of the reign of Yaxun B’alam, indicating a possible struggle for the throne of Yaxchilan. Yaxun B'alam took the throne in 752, but he had problems even after he succeeded. In order to legitimize his claim to the throne, Yaxun B'alam had a series of steles created that pictured him with his father (including Stele 11).

Reign

Several buildings were constructed during the reign of Yaxun B’alam ,including Temple 33 and Temple 21. During his life, he captured at least 21 people, as evidenced by the statement on Yaxchilan Stela 11. His seventeen year reign was much shorter than that of his father’s, and he died in 768. Within a generation of his death, the building projects at Yaxchilan had ceased. He was succeeded by Itzamnaaj B'alam III in 769.

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