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Yajaw Teʼ Kʼinich II
Ajaw
Caracol ResidentialComplex.png
Ruins at Caracol, city of Yajaw Teʼ Kʼinich II
King of Caracol
Reign 18 April 553 – 593>
Predecessor Kʼan I
Successor Knot Ajaw
Spouse Lady 1
Lady Batzʼ Ekʼ
Issue Knot Ajaw
Kʼan II
Father King Kʼan I
Mother Lady Kʼal Kʼinich
Religion Maya religion

Yajaw Teʼ Kʼinich II was a powerful king of the Maya city-state called Caracol. Caracol was located in what is now Belize. He was also known by other names like Ruler III, Lord Water, and Lord Muluc. He ruled from the year 553 AD to 593 AD.

Who Was Yajaw Teʼ Kʼinich II?

His Early Life and Family

Yajaw Teʼ Kʼinich II was the son of King Kʼan I. His mother was a noblewoman named Lady Kʼal Kʼinich. He was given the same name as his grandfather, Yajaw Teʼ Kʼinich I. His grandfather was the son of another important ruler, Kʼahkʼ Ujol Kʼinich I.

A King's Important Reign

Yajaw Teʼ Kʼinich II's time as king was very important for Caracol. His rule started with some challenges. Caracol had to change which powerful city it was allied with. But by the end of his reign, Caracol grew into a large and successful city.

Caracol's Changing Power

When Yajaw Teʼ Kʼinich II became king, it seems he had help from the powerful city of Tikal. We know this from an ancient stone carving called Altar 21. Sadly, Altar 21 is now broken into pieces. Because of this, we don't have all the details about how he became king.

Later, another stone carving, Stela 4, tells us more. This carving is from around 583 AD. It shows that Caracol became connected to the city of Calakmul. This happened about 20 years after Caracol's victory over Tikal. The carving suggests that the ruler of Calakmul oversaw some of Yajaw Teʼ Kʼinich II's actions. This shows how Caracol's alliances changed over time.

His Wives and Children

Yajaw Teʼ Kʼinich II had two wives. Their names were Lady 1 and Lady Batzʼ Ekʼ. He had two sons, Knot Ajaw and Kʼan II. Both of his sons would later become important figures in Caracol's history.

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