Yoʼnal Ahk III facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yoʼnal Ahk III |
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| Ajaw | |
Yoʼnal Ahk III's portrait on Stela 14
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| King of Piedras Negras | |
| Reign | 10 March 758 – 767 |
| Predecessor | Itzam Kʼan Ahk II |
| Successor | Haʼ Kʼin Xook |
| Born | Piedras Negras |
| Died | 767 Piedras Negras |
| Father | Itzam Kʼan Ahk II |
| Religion | Maya religion |
| Signature |  |
Yoʼnal Ahk III was a powerful leader, known as an ajaw, of Piedras Negras. This was an important ancient Maya city located in what is now Guatemala. He is also sometimes called Ruler 5. Yoʼnal Ahk III ruled during the Late Classic Period, from 758 AD to 767 AD.
He became the leader after Itzam Kʼan Ahk II passed away. It is believed that Itzam Kʼan Ahk II was Yoʼnal Ahk III's father. After Yoʼnal Ahk III, his likely brother, Haʼ Kʼin Xook, became the new ruler around 767 AD. Yoʼnal Ahk III left behind two important stone monuments, called stelae, at Piedras Negras. These are Stelae 14 and 16. Stela 14 is considered one of the most beautiful "niche stelae" ever found.
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Who Was Yoʼnal Ahk III?
Yoʼnal Ahk III, also known as Ruler 5, was probably the son of Itzam Kʼan Ahk II. We think this because Yoʼnal Ahk III showed great respect for his father's burial temple. His name, "Yoʼnal Ahk III," means "Black House Great Turtle."
He became the ruler of Piedras Negras on March 10, 758 AD. This date is also recorded in the Long Count as 9.16.6.17.1 7 Imix 19 Wo. He took the throne after Itzam Kʼan Ahk II died.
What Was His Rule Like?
Not a lot of detailed information is known about Yoʼnal Ahk III's time as ruler. The same is true for his successor, Haʼ Kʼin Xook. Some historians have called their reigns "shadowy" because of this.
One expert, James L. Fitzsimmons, believes that Yoʼnal Ahk III might have been less powerful than earlier Piedras Negras leaders. This is because he set up only a few monuments. Also, his power didn't seem to spread much beyond the areas Piedras Negras already controlled.
Important Events During His Reign
Records from another site, El Cayo, show that Yoʼnal Ahk III was part of a burial ceremony in 763 AD. This was for a local leader called a sajal. However, he was not involved in choosing the next sajal.
During his rule, a "prince" from Piedras Negras named Tʼul Chiik was captured. He was taken by Yaxun Bʼalam IV from the city of Yaxchilan. Some experts think that Yoʼnal Ahk III focused on smaller nearby kingdoms. These included La Mar and Yax Niil. He might have done this to build a strong support system. This support would help fight against the growing power of Yaxchilan.
Yoʼnal Ahk III was followed by Haʼ Kʼin Xook, who was likely his brother.
Important Stone Monuments
Only two stone monuments, called stelae, that Yoʼnal Ahk III created are still around today. These are Stelae 14 and 16.
Stela 14: A Royal Portrait
Stela 14 is a very special monument. Experts Simon Martin and Nikolai Grube called it the "finest of all 'niche' monuments." It was made around 761 AD to celebrate the king becoming ruler.
- It shows a picture of the king inside a small hollow, or "niche."
- The king is shown scattering incense, which was a religious act.
- This monument was placed at the bottom of Structure O-13. This structure was part of a special path used for ceremonies.
- The front of Stela 14 shows the ajaw (king) and his mother. His mother stands "as witness" to her son's important moment. Her position suggests she arrived from a sacred path.
- Stela 14 also has the names of several artists and sculptors. These names are unique and hard to translate.
Stela 16: Celebrating a Local Leader
Stela 16 celebrates a local sajal (a lesser Maya leader) from the nearby kingdom of La Mar. This stela once caused a historian, Tatiana Proskouriakoff, to mistake this sajal for the next ruler of Piedras Negras, instead of Haʼ Kʼin Xook.
It was unusual for a ruler from La Mar to be celebrated on a Piedras Negras stela. This shows that La Mar was becoming very important within the areas controlled by Piedras Negras. The front of Stela 16 is very worn down. However, based on other stelae like Stelae 6 and 11, it likely showed a carving of Yoʼnal Ahk III.
