Kaan kingdom
Kaan kingdom Kaanu'l Ajawlel | |
|---|---|
| 5th century–10th century | |
| Capital | Dzibanche (400-635) Calakmul (635-10th century) |
| Official languages | Classical Chʼoltiʼ |
| Religion | Maya religion |
| Government | Monarchy |
| Kuhul Kaan Ajaw | |
• 402-455 | Yuknoom Ch'een I |
• 520-546 | Tuun K'ab' Hix |
• 550-568 | K'ahk' Ti' Ch'ich' |
• 561-572 | Ut Chanal |
• 572-579 | Yax Yopaat |
• 579-611 | Uneh Chan |
• 619-622 | Yuknoom Ti' Chan |
• 622-630 | Tajoom Ukʼab Kʼahkʼ |
• 636-686 | Yuknoom Ch'een II |
• 686-698 | Yuknoom Yichʼaak Kʼahkʼ |
• 702-736 | Yuknoom Tookʼ Kʼawiil |
| Historical era | Classic Maya period |
• Established | 5th century |
• Disestablished | 10th century |
The Kaan kingdom (Snake Head kingdom) was a Maya kingdom ruled by the Kaanu'l dynasty of Dzibanche and later with capital in Calakmul that dominated the central Maya lowlands during the Classic period of the Maya civilization.
The kingdom was established already in the 4th century at Dzibanche by the Kaanu'l dynasty, one of the lineages with the greatest political and military power recorded in the history of the Maya civilization. The Kaan kingdom was a dominant entity in the Maya lowlands reaching its peak of power and influence between 500 and 750 AD, at the year 636 the capital was moved from Dzibanche to Calakuml where it had hegemony over the region for about two centuries. The kingdom gradually lost its power and influence until the collapse of the Maya civilization during the terminal Classic period becoming extinct by early 10th century.
The rulers of the Kaan kingdom were known as K'uhul Kaanul Ajaw, meaning "Divine Lord of Kaan". Its most prominent ruler was Yuknoom Ch'een II, also known as Yuknoom the Great who ruled for 50 years (636-686), he archived numerous military victories and expanded the hegemony of the Kaan kingdom to the height of its power.