Yuknoom Chʼeen II facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yuknoom Che'en II |
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Funerary mask of Yuknoom Ch'een II
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| King of Calakmul | |
| Reign | 1 May 636 - 686 |
| Predecessor | Yuknoom Head |
| Successor | Yuknoom Yichʼaak Kʼahkʼ |
| Born | 11 September 600 Calakmul |
| Died | 686 (aged 85–86) Calakmul |
| Issue | Yuknoom Yichʼaak Kʼahkʼ Lady K'abel, Queen of El Perú A daughter, Queen of La Corona U-Hand K'inich |
| Father | Scroll Serpent |
| Mother | Lady Scroll-in-Hand |
| Religion | Maya religion |
Yuknoom Chʼeen II (born September 11, 600, died in the 680s) was a powerful Maya ruler. He was also known as Yuknoom the Great. He led the Kaan kingdom, with its capital at Calakmul, during a time called the Classic Period. This was a very important time in Maya history.
Contents
The Life of Yuknoom Chʼeen II
Early Life
Yuknoom Chʼeen II was born on September 11, 600. His parents were likely Scroll Serpent, who was a king, and his wife, Lady Scroll-in-hand.
His Time as King
Yuknoom Chʼeen II became king in 636 AD. He ruled the Kaan kingdom for fifty years until 686 AD. This was a time when the Kaan kingdom was very strong. It had a lot of power over its rival city, Tikal. Yuknoom Chʼeen II took his name from an earlier king, Yuknoom Chʼeen I.
Rivalry with Tikal
Tikal was starting to become powerful again. Yuknoom Chʼeen II worked hard to keep Kaan as the strongest kingdom. Tikal's royal family was divided. Two leaders, Bʼalaj Chan Kʼawiil of Dos Pilas and Nuun Ujol Chaak of Tikal, both claimed to be important lords of Tikal.
In 650, Bʼalaj Chan Kʼawiil was attacked and had to leave his city. He then became an ally of Yuknoom Chʼeen II. This helped Yuknoom Chʼeen II in his fight against Tikal.
Major Battles and Victories
In 657, Yuknoom Chʼeen II attacked Tikal. He won a big battle, sometimes called a "star war." After this, the Tikal king, Nuun Ujol Chaak, had to show loyalty to Yuknoom Chʼeen II. Both Nuun Ujol Chaak and Bʼalaj Chan Kʼawiil later attended a special event led by a prince from Calakmul.
But in 672, the Tikal king tried to become independent again. He forced Bʼalaj Chan Kʼawiil out of Dos Pilas. Calakmul then stepped in. In 677, Calakmul defeated Nuun Ujol Chaak a second time. Then, in 679, Dos Pilas, likely with help from Calakmul, won a final, decisive victory against Tikal.
Expanding Kaan's Influence
The Kaan kingdom also faced problems in other areas. The city of Naranjo had rebelled after its previous ruler died. Naranjo then attacked Caracol, a city loyal to Kaan. But Naranjo was quickly punished. Its royal family was removed, and a grandson of Bʼalaj Chan Kʼawiil eventually took over.
Yuknoom Chʼeen II's power was recognized in many places. He supported the rulers of Cancuén for three generations. He also oversaw the start of two new rulers there in 656 and 677. Far to the west, a new king in Moral-Reforma came to power in 662 with Kaan's support. This happened around the same time Piedras Negras attacked Santa Elena, a neighbor of Moral-Reforma. An inscription at Piedras Negras mentions Calakmul just before this attack. An official from Yuknoom Chʼeen II also oversaw a ceremony at Piedras Negras in 685.
Family and Legacy
Yuknoom Chʼeen II was very old when he died, likely in his eighties. Many of the successes in his later years were probably due to his successor, Yuknoom Yichʼaak Kʼahkʼ.
His kingdom's ties with La Corona became stronger when one of Yuknoom Chʼeen II's daughters married a lord from that city in 679.
See also
In Spanish: Yuknoom Ch'een II para niños
