Kʼinich Kan Bahlam II

Kʼinich Kan Bahlam II[N 1] (Mayan pronunciation: [kʼihniʧ kan ɓahlam]), also known as Chan Bahlum II, (May, 635 - February, 702) was ajaw of the Maya city-state of Palenque. He acceded to the throne in January, 684, several months after the death of his father and predecessor, Kʼinich Janaab Pakal I and ruled until his death.[N 2][1]

Kʼinich Kan Bahlam II
Ajaw of Palenque
Kʼinich Kan Bahlam II on tablet from the Temple XVII.
Reign	January, 684 – February, 702
Predecessor	Kʼinich Janaab Pakal I
Successor	Kʼinich Kʼan Joy Chitam II
Born	May, 635
Died	February, 702 (aged 66)
Father	Kʼinich Janaab Pakal I
Mother	Lady Tzʼakbu Ajaw
Religion	Maya religion

Biography

Kʼinich Kan Bahlam II's glyph

He continued the ambitious project of adorning Palenque with fine art and architecture begun by his father; his most important addition to the city of Palenque was the Temple of the Cross which is the center piece of the Temple of the Cross Complex. He was succeeded by his younger brother, Kʼinich Kʼan Joy Chitam II, another brother was probably Tiwol Chan Mat.[2][3] The monuments and text associated with Kʼinich Kan Bahlam II are: Tablets and Alfardas of the Temples of the Cross, Sun and Foliated Cross; tablets and facade of the Temple of the Inscriptions; Temple 17 Panel; Death's Head; Jonuta Panel; Temple of the Cross Stela.[4][5]

Notes

1. The ruler's name, when transcribed is KʼINICH KAN[BAHLAM]-ma, translated "Radiant Snake Jaguar", Martin & Grube 2008, p. 168.
2. These are the dates indicated on the Maya inscriptions in Mesoamerican Long Count calendar, Born: 9.10.2.6.6 2 Kimi 19 Sotzʼ, Acceded: 9.12.11.12.10 8 Ok 3 Kʼayab and Died: 9.13.10.1.5 6 Chikchan 3 Pop, Martin & Grube 2008, p. 168.

Footnotes

1. Skidmore 2010, pp. 74-76.
2. Lounsbury 1976, pp. 211-224.
3. Lounsbury 1985, p. 45–58.
4. Skidmore 2010, p. 74.
5. Martin & Grube 2008, pp. 168-170.

References

Lounsbury, Floyd G. (1976). A Rationale for the Initial Date of the Temple of the Cross at Palenque. In The Art, Iconography, and Dynastic History of Palenque, Part III: Proceedings of the Segunda Mesa Redonda de Palenque, ed. Merle Greene Robertson, 211-224. Pebble Beach, Ca.: Robert Louis Stevenson School.

Lounsbury, Floyd G. (1985). The Identities of the Mythological Figures in the "Cross Group" of Inscriptions at Palenque. In Fourth Round Table of Palenque, 1980, vol. 6, gen. ed. Merle Greene Robertson; vol. ed., Elizabeth P. Benson, 45-58. San Francisco: Pre-Columbian Art Research Institute.

Martin, Simon; Nikolai Grube (2008). Chronicle of the Maya Kings and Queens: Deciphering the Dynasties of the Ancient Maya (2nd ed.). London and New York: Thames & Hudson. ISBN 9780500287262. OCLC 191753193.

Skidmore, Joel (2010). The Rulers of Palenque (PDF) (Fifth ed.). Mesoweb Publications. Retrieved 12 October 2015.