Siyaj K'ak'

Siyaj K'ak' (alternative spelling: Siyah K'ak' , "Fire is Born", formerly nicknamed "Smoking Frog") was a prominent political firgure mentioned in the glyphs of Classic Era (250-800AD) Maya civilization monuments, principally Tikal and Uaxactun. Epigraphers originally identified him by the nickname "Smoking Frog", a description of his name glyph, but later deciphered it as" Siyaj K'ak' "meaning "Fire is born." He is believed to have been the general of the Teotihuacano ruler Spearthrower Owl.

Overview

Originally from Teotihuacan or very closely allied with that city, Siyaj K'ak' was a warlord in the Maya heartland of the Petén (modern Guatemala) during the fourth century. In 378 and 379 he oversaw the replacing of the kings of important Maya states such as Tikal and Uaxactun with new rulers who claimed descent from Spearthrower Owl, probably the ruler of Teotihuacan. As Smoking Frog, he caused himself to be portrayed wearing Teotihuacano battle dress. It is during his lifetime that the public architecture of the Central Mexican capital began to be emulated in the Maya region; particularly the "talud-tablero" style so characteristic of the Mexican highland, and so atypical of Mayan building styles.

Siyaj K'ak' remained a power in the region until his death early in the fifth century, acting as overlord to such kings as Nun Yax Ayin (aka "Curl Nose") of Tikal. The appearance of Siyah K'ak' marks the beginning of a strong cultural influx from Central Mexico, although whether this was accomplished via peaceful interaction or military invasion is still being very actively debated.

External links

* [http://www.mesoweb.com/features/findings/fate/08.html The name glyph of Siyah K'ak']
* [http://www.mesoweb.com/pari/publications/news_archive/25/strangers/strangers.html "The arrival of strangers" Teotihuacan in classic maya history]

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