Chak Tok Ichʼaak I facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chak Tok Ichʼaak I |
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| Ajaw | |
Stela 26 at Tikal bears the name Chak Tok Ichʼaak, although it is unclear if it is referring to Chak Tok Ichʼaak I or Chak Tok Ichʼaak II.
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| King of Tikal | |
| Reign | 7 August 360? - 14 January 378 |
| Predecessor | Kʼinich Muwaan Jol I |
| Successor | Yax Nuun Ahiin I |
| Died | 14 January 378 Tikal |
| Father | Kʼinich Muwaan Jol I |
| Mother | Lady Bahlam Way |
| Religion | Maya religion |
| Signature |  |
Chak Tok Ichʼaak I was a powerful king, also known as Great Jaguar Paw. He ruled the ancient Maya city of Tikal. He became king on August 7, 360, and ruled until his death on January 14, 378. His time as king ended when new leaders arrived in Tikal.
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Who Was Chak Tok Ichʼaak I?
Chak Tok Ichʼaak I was one of Tikal's most famous kings. His parents were King Kʼinich Muwaan Jol I and Lady Bahlam Way. His name can be found on many ancient clay pots and stone monuments. These items help us learn about his life and rule.
Messages in Stone: The Stelae
Ancient Maya kings often put up tall stone monuments called stelae. These stelae told stories or marked important events.
Stela 39: A King's Power
Archaeologists found Stela 39 in an area of Tikal called the Mundo Perdido complex. This stela was made to celebrate the end of a 20-year period, known as a Kʼatun, in 376. It shows King Chak Tok Ichʼaak I standing over a captured person. He is holding an axe decorated with jaguar spots. This axe might have been a weapon or used in special ceremonies.
Stela 26: A Broken Record
Another stone monument, Stela 26, was found in Tikal's North Acropolis. This stela is broken into pieces, but it also has Chak Tok Ichʼaak's name on it. Both Stela 39 and Stela 26 were intentionally broken shortly after they were made.
His Royal Home: The Palace
Chak Tok Ichʼaak I lived in a grand palace in the Central Acropolis of Tikal. This palace was identified by a special clay pot found underneath a staircase. This pot was placed there as part of a dedication ceremony. What's interesting is that later rulers did not build over this palace. Instead, they kept it in good repair for hundreds of years. It seemed to be a very respected building.
A Change in Power
Something very important happened on the day Chak Tok Ichʼaak I died. On January 14, 378, a new leader named Siyaj Kʼakʼ arrived in Tikal. Siyaj Kʼakʼ was likely a powerful war-leader from a distant city called Teotihuacán. His arrival marked a big change for Tikal. After this event, a new family of rulers took control of the city. The next king was Yax Nuun Ahiin I.
