Yajaw Teʼ Kʼinich II facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yajaw Teʼ Kʼinich II |
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| Ajaw | |
Ruins at Caracol, city of Yajaw Teʼ Kʼinich II
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| 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.
Contents
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.
