Yaxun Bʼalam IV
Yaxun Bʼalam IV, also called Bird Jaguar IV, was a Mayan king from Yaxchilan. He ruled from 752 until 768 AD, continuing the period of prosperity started by his father Itzamnaaj Bʼalam II. He had to struggle to take and hold power, as he was not perceived to be the rightful heir to the throne.
| Yaxun Bʼalam IV | |
|---|---|
| High King of Yaxchilan | |
 Lintel 16 from Yaxchilan depicts king Yaxun Bʼalam IV with his slave | |
| Reign | 752–768 |
| Predecessor | Itzamnaaj Bʼalam II |
| Successor | Itzamnaaj Bʼalam III |
| Born | 709 |
| Died | 768 |
| Spouse | 4 queens |
| Issue | Itzamnaaj Bʼalam III |
| Father | Itzamnaaj Bʼalam II |
| Mother | Lady Eveningstar |
Early life
Yaxun Bʼalam was the son of Itzamnaaj Bʼalam and Lady Eveningstar. Lady Eveningstar was not the first wife of Itzamnaaj Bʼalam and was from Calakmul.
As Bird Jaguar was not the son of Lady Xoc (Itzamnaaj Bʼalam's first wife-aunt), he was not completely of the royal blood and would have difficulty acquiring the throne. Itzamnaaj Bʼalam commissioned a stele to be carved showing both Yaxun Bʼalam and Lady Xoc in the same panel, thus legitimating Yaxun.
Accession
There is a ten-year gap between the death of Itzamnaaj Bʼalam II and the beginning of the reign of Yaxun Bʼalam, indicating a possible struggle for the throne of Yaxchilan. Yaxun Bʼalam took the throne on May 3, 752, but he had problems even after he succeeded.[1] In order to legitimize his claim to the throne, Yaxun Bʼalam had a series of stelae created that pictured him with his father (including Stele 11).
Reign
Several buildings were constructed during the reign of Yaxun Bʼalam, including Temple 33 and Temple 21. During his life, he captured at least 21 people, as evidenced by the statement on Yaxchilan Stela 11. His seventeen-year reign was much shorter than that of his father's, and he died in 768. Within a generation of his death, the building projects at Yaxchilan had ceased. He was succeeded by his son Itzamnaaj Bʼalam III in 769.
Marriages
Yaxun Bʼalam had married Lady Great Skull, Lady Wak Tuun of Motul de San José, Lady Wak Jalam Chan Ajaw of Motul de San José, Lady Mut Bahlam of Hix Witz.[2]
References
- James L. Fitzsimmons. Death and the Classic Maya Kings. University of Texas Press. p. 120. ISBN 978-0-292-78198-6. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
- Chronicle of the Maya Kings and Queens by Simon Martin and Nikolai Grube
- Montgomery, John (2002–2007). "Dictionary of Maya Hieroglyphs" (online version). Maya Hieroglyphic writing: Dictionaries. with revisions by Peter Mathews and Christophe Helmke. Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies, Inc (FAMSI).
- Schele, Linda; David Freidel (1992). A Forest of Kings: The Untold Story of the Ancient Maya (pbk reprint ed.). New York: Harper Perennial. ISBN 0-688-11204-8. OCLC 145324300.
| Preceded by Itzamnaaj Bʼalam II |
High Kings of Yaxchilan 752–768 |
Succeeded by Itzamnaaj Bʼalam III |