Rulers of Tikal facts for kids

Tikal was a very important city for the ancient Maya people. It was located in what is now Guatemala. Many powerful rulers led Tikal for hundreds of years. These leaders helped Tikal grow and become a major center of the Maya world. Here is a list of some of the most well-known rulers of Tikal.

Meet the Rulers of Tikal

Early Leaders (Late Preclassic Period)

These are the first known rulers who helped establish Tikal as a powerful city.

• Yax Ehb' Xok – Around AD 60, he was the first ruler and started the royal family line.
• Siyaj Chan K'awil Chak Ich'aak ("Stormy Sky I") – He ruled around the 2nd century.
• Yax Ch’aktel Xok – He was a ruler around AD 200.

The Classic Era (Early Classic Period)

This period saw Tikal become even stronger, with many important leaders.

• Balam Ajaw ("Decorated Jaguar") – He became ruler in AD 292.
• K'inich Ehb' – He ruled around AD 300.
• Siyaj Chan K'awiil I – He ruled around AD 307.
• Unen Bahlam ("Queen Jaguar") – She ruled in AD 317.
• "Leyden Plate Ruler" – This ruler is known from a special artifact called the Leyden Plate, ruling in AD 320.
• K'inich Muwaan Jol – He ruled until his death in AD 359.
• Chak Tok Ich'aak I ("Jaguar Paw I") – He ruled from about AD 360 to 378. He died on the same day that Siyah K'ak' arrived in Tikal, which was a very important event.
• Yax Nuun Ayiin I – He ruled from AD 379 to 404. He was the son of a foreign noble.
• Siyaj Chan K'awiil II ("Stormy Sky II") – He ruled from AD 411 to 456 and was the son of Yax Nuun Ayiin I.
• K'an Chitam ("Kan Boar") – He ruled from AD 458 to 486.
• Ma'Kin-na Chan – He ruled in the late 5th century.
• Chak Tok Ich'aak II ("Jaguar Paw Skull") – He ruled from AD 486 to 508 and was married to "Lady Hand."
• Ix Kalo'mte' Ix Yo K'in ("Lady of Tikal") – She ruled from AD 511 to 527. She ruled alongside Kaloomte' B'alam.
• Kaloomte' B'alam ("Curl-Head" and "19th Lord") – He ruled from AD 511 to 527, sharing power with Ix Kalo'mte' Ix Yo K'in.
• "Bird Claw" ("Animal Skull I", "Ete I") – He ruled from about AD 527 to 537.
• Wak Chan K'awiil ("Double-Bird") – He ruled from AD 537 to 562. He was captured in a battle with the city of Caracol.
• "Lizard Head II" – His exact rule dates are unknown, but he lost an important battle with Caracol in AD 562.

The Later Leaders (Late Classic Period)

This period includes some of Tikal's most famous rulers, who helped the city reach its peak.

• Jasaw Chan K'awiil I (also known as Ruler A or Ah Cacao) – He ruled from AD 682 to 734. He was buried in the famous Temple I. His queen was Lady Twelve Macaw, who passed away in AD 704. He led Tikal to victory in a war against the city of Calakmul in AD 711.
• Yik'in Chan K'awiil (also known as Ruler B) – He ruled from AD 734 to 766. His wife was Shana'Kin Yaxchel Pacal. The exact location of his tomb is not known.
• "Temple VI Ruler" – He ruled from AD 766 to 768.
• Yax Nuun Ayiin II ("Chitam") – He ruled from AD 768 to 790.
• Chitam II ("Dark Sun") – He was buried around AD 810 in Temple III.
• "Jewel K'awil" – He ruled in AD 849.
• Jasaw Chan K'awiil II – He ruled from AD 869 to 889.

Note: Some of these rulers have English nicknames, like "Stormy Sky" or "Jaguar Paw." These nicknames are used when their original Maya names haven't been fully figured out yet.