Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan Chaak facts for kids

Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan Chaak was an important Maya ruler of the city of Naranjo. He was born on January 4, 688 CE. People sometimes called him Smoking Squirrel before his full name was understood.

He became king when he was very young. Because of this, his mother, Lady Wak Chanil Ajaw, played a big role in leading Naranjo. She helped guide the city through many important events during his reign.

Early Life and Family Connections

K'ak' Tiliw Chan Chaak had strong family ties to other powerful Maya cities. His grandfather was Bʼalaj Chan Kʼawiil from Dos Pilas. His grandfather sent K'ak' Tiliw's mother, Lady Six Sky, to Naranjo.

Lady Six Sky's Arrival

Lady Six Sky arrived in Naranjo to help bring back a strong royal family. This happened after Naranjo had faced a defeat from the city of Caracol. Her arrival was marked by special ceremonies that began on August 30, 682. She worked to make Naranjo powerful again.

Becoming King of Naranjo

K'ak' Tiliw Chan Chaak officially became the ruler of Naranjo on May 31, 693. He was still quite young at this time, only five years old. His mother, Lady Six Sky, continued to be a very influential figure.

Military Campaigns and Victories

Soon after K'ak' Tiliw became king, Naranjo began a series of successful battles. They won against several smaller cities. Some of these cities might have been rebelling against his mother's authority.

Naranjo also defeated larger, well-known cities. These included Yaxha, Tikal, and Ucanal. Since K'ak' Tiliw was so young, it is believed that his mother planned most of these military actions. She was the main leader behind Naranjo's victories.

Building and Arts in Naranjo

Once K'ak' Tiliw Chan Chaak grew older, he focused on improving his city. He ordered the creation of many new monuments in Naranjo. These monuments helped tell the story of his rule and the city's history.

A Patron of the Arts

K'ak' Tiliw was also very interested in the arts. He especially supported artists who worked with ceramics. On one monument, called Stela 18, he is referred to as Sak Chuwen. This means "Pure Artisan" or "White Artisan." It shows his love for creative works.

His Royal Wife

His wife was named Ix Unen B'ahlam. She came from a city called Tuubal. Naranjo had defeated Tuubal in a battle in 693 CE. Some experts think she might have been distantly related to the royal family of Tikal. This is because her name was similar to a former ruler of Tikal, Lady Unen Bahlam.

Family Relationships and Legacy

K'ak' Tiliw Chan Chaak's relationship with his mother was very important. Lady Six Sky continued to build monuments. These monuments highlighted her own contributions to Naranjo during his time as king.

His Father's Role

His father, K'ak' U ? Chan Chaak, is not mentioned often on public monuments. Naranjo Stela 46 is one of the only known examples that names him. It is possible his father was not a major political figure before Lady Six Sky arrived. However, his father used a special title, the Holy Naranjo Lord emblem glyph. This suggests he was part of the royal family.

End of His Reign

K'ak' Tiliw Chan Chaak passed away when he was in his forties. The exact cause of his death is not known. After his death, there was a period without a clear ruler in Naranjo. This period ended when Yax Mayuy Chan Chaak took the throne. Yax Mayuy Chan Chaak may have been K'ak' Tiliw's younger brother or even his son.