Reign
During the reign of Yohl Ik'nal, Palenque suffered an important defeat by Calakmul, one of the two great Maya powers of the Classic Period. The battle took place on 23 April 599 but Yohl Ikʻnal reigned for several years more and died in AD 604. After the defeat, Palenque apparently maintained its political identity but Yohl Ik'nal probably had to pay tribute to the king of Calakmul. There are indications that either Yohl Ik'nal or her successor successfully rebelled against Calakmulʻs dominance before 611.
Archaeologist Merle Greene Robertson has suggested that a vaulted tomb under Temple 20 at Palenque is that of Queen Yohl Ik'nal. She was considered important enough to be depicted twice on the sarcophagus of her grandson K'inich Janaab' Pakal and to be sculpted in stucco on the wall of his tomb.
| Preceded by Kan B'alam I |
Queen of Palenque December 23, 583 – November 7, 604 |
Succeeded by Aj Ne' Yohl Mat |
Read more about this topic: Yohl Ik'nal
Famous quotes containing the word reign:
“I am monarch of all I survey;
My right there is none to dispute;
From the center all round to the sea
I am lord of the fowl and the brute.
O Solitude! where are the charms
That sages have seen in thy face?
Better dwell in the midst of alarms,
Than reign in this horrible place.”
—William Cowper (1731–1800)
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“Nature seemed to have adorned herself for our departure with a profusion of fringes and curls, mingled with the bright tints of flowers, reflected in the water. But we missed the white water-lily, which is the queen of river flowers, its reign being over for this season.... Many of this species inhabit our Concord water.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)