K'inich Janaab' Pakal
K'inich Janaab Pakal I, also known as Pacal the Great ( born March 23, 603; † August 28 683 ) was the most important ruler ( Ajaw ) of the Mayan city of Palenque. He ruled July 26, 615 until his death.
Origin and family
K'inich Janaab Pakal I was on 23 March 603 ( Long Count 9.8.9.13.0, Calendar Round 8 Ahaw 13 Pop ), the son of originating from the ruler housewife Sak K'uk '; born (c. 580 † 640). His father K'an Mo ' Hix probably came not of the ruling dynasty, about him is only known that he died in the year 643. Pakal was married to Tz'akbu Ajaw (c. 612; ? † 672 ). With her he had three sons: his successor K'inich Kan Balam II two (* 635, † 702) and K'inich K'an Joy Chitam II (* 644, † by 721? ) And another son named Tiwol Chan Mat ( * 647, † 680), who never ruled itself, but the progenitor should be all still on K'inich K'an Joy Chitam II following rulers.
Reign
Pakals throne was preceded politically difficult times for Palenque. From 599 it always came back to raids by the warring city-state of Calakmul, which eventually culminated in the almost complete destruction of Palenque 610/11. 612 died of the rulers Ajen Yohl Mat apparently without heirs, so initially Sak K'uk ' was used as regent. The transfer of power to her son took place on July 26, 615 ( 9.9.2.4.8, 5 Lamat 1 Mol ), was as Pakal just twelve years old.
Despite his young age, succeeded Pakal, Palenque to stabilize and strengthen the city in the following decades, militarily and to lead them to a new architectural bloom. 654 Palenque suffered again a major defeat against Calakmul, after Pakal in the following years went on successful campaigns against its putative allies. Monuments in Palenque report for the period 659-663 of the capture and ritual sacrifice of rulers and other residents from the cities Pomoná and Santa Elena.
For the following years of the reign, no events are practically handed out its construction. K'inich Janaab Pakal I died on August 28, 683 ( 9.12.11.5.18, 6 Etz'nab 11 Yax ) after 68 years of reign.
Construction
Almost all the important buildings of Palenque originated during the reign of K'inich Janaab Pakal times I and his eldest son K'inich Kan Balam II The first building project Pakals was the "Forgotten Temple" ( Templo Olvidado ), which was built outside the city proper and its completion can be dated to the year 647, thanks to inscriptions. Another important monument of Pakals reign is the Temple of the Count. 654 he began the construction of the new still from the Early Classic ( 250-600 ) derived palace. The houses E, B, C and A of the palace came under his rule, under K'inich K'an Joy Chitam II the palace was extended. The last construction project Pakals represents the Temple of the Inscriptions, which served as his grave condition, but was only completed under K'inich Kan Balam II.
The Temple of the Count
The Temple of the Inscriptions
Funeral
After his death, K'inich Janaab ' Pakal I. was buried in a crypt beneath the Temple of the Inscriptions. The grave chamber in 1952 found non- robbed by the Mexican archaeologist Alberto Ruz Lhuillier. Before the entrance to the grave room, he discovered the skeletons of five men and women who had been sacrificed apparently to accompany Pakal on his journey to the underworld ( Xibalba ). The grave hall itself is occupied almost entirely by the monumental sarcophagus. The ornate lid you can see mythological representations of Pakals otherworld journey and a list of his ancestors.
Inside the sarcophagus, the skeleton of the ruler, together with numerous additions of jade found. The most complex piece in this case represents the death mask, her eyes with mother of pearl and obsidian were inserted; in the mouth, there is a T-shaped amulet. Further additions were two Jadeköpfe, one of which represents the sun god and the other probably the aged Pakal. Two other heads were found beneath the sarcophagus. They are made of stucco and show Pakal at different ages.
Grave jewelry Pakals
Detailed view of the dead mask
Jadekopf
One of the two stucco heads