Yaxun Bʼalam IV facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yaxun Bʼahlam IV |
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Lintel 16 from Yaxchilan depicts king Yaxun Bʼahlam IV with his captive, king Pay Lakam Chahk of Santa Elena
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| King of Yaxchilan | |
| Reign | 3 May 752–768 |
| Predecessor | Itzamnaaj Bahlam III Lady Eveningstar (as possible regent) |
| Successor | Itzamnaaj Bahlam IV |
| Born | 27 August 709 Yaxchilán |
| Died | 768 (aged 58–59) Yaxchilán |
| Spouse | Lady Chak Joloom Lady Wak Tuun of Motul de San José Lady Wak Jalam Chan Ajaw of Motul de San José Lady Mut Bahlam of Hix Witz |
| Issue | Itzamnaaj Bahlam IV |
| Father | Itzamnaaj Bahlam III |
| Mother | Lady Eveningstar |
Yaxun Bʼahlam IV, also known as Bird Jaguar IV, was an important Mayan king of Yaxchilan. He ruled from 752 AD to 768 AD. During his time, Yaxchilan continued to be a strong and successful city. This period of success had begun under his father, Itzamnaaj Bʼahlam III. Yaxun Bʼahlam IV faced challenges to become king because some people did not see him as the true heir to the throne.
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Early Life of Bird Jaguar IV
Yaxun Bʼahlam was the son of King Itzamnaaj Bʼahlam III and Lady Eveningstar. Lady Eveningstar was not the king's first wife. She came from a city called Calakmul.
Because Bird Jaguar IV's mother was not Lady Xook, his father's first wife, some people questioned his right to be king. To show that Yaxun Bʼahlam was a rightful heir, his father had a special stone monument, called a stele, carved. This stele showed both Yaxun Bʼahlam and Lady Xook together. This helped to prove his connection to the royal family.
Becoming King: The Accession of Yaxun Bʼahlam
There was a ten-year gap between the death of Yaxun Bʼahlam's father and the start of Yaxun Bʼahlam's rule. During this time, another ruler was mentioned in a nearby city, Piedras Negras. This ruler, named Sak Jukub Yopaat B'ahlam, was in power in July 749.
It seems Sak Jukub Yopaat B'ahlam did not build many monuments, or perhaps Yaxun B'ahlam destroyed them later. This suggests there might have been a struggle for who would become king. Also, Piedras Negras and Yaxchilan were often rivals. This gap might mean Piedras Negras had some control over Yaxchilan for a short time.
Yaxun Bʼahlam finally became king on May 3, 752. Even after he took the throne, he worked to show he was the rightful ruler. He ordered more stelae to be made. These monuments showed him with his father, like Stele 11, to strengthen his claim to the throne.
King Bird Jaguar IV's Reign
During Yaxun Bʼahlam's time as king, several important buildings were constructed in Yaxchilan. These included Temple 33 and Temple 21. Records show that he captured at least 21 people during his rule. This is mentioned on Yaxchilan Stela 11.
His reign lasted seventeen years, which was shorter than his father's long rule. Yaxun Bʼahlam IV died in 768 AD. After his death, the building projects in Yaxchilan slowed down and eventually stopped within a generation. His son, Itzamnaaj Bahlam IV, became the next king in 769 AD.
Royal Marriages
King Yaxun Bʼahlam IV had several wives. These included Lady Chak Joloom, Lady Wak Tuun from Motul de San José, Lady Wak Jalam Chan Ajaw also from Motul de San José, and Lady Mut Bahlam from Hix Witz.
