Chʼiyel Explained

Ch'iyel
Ajaw
Succession:King of Sacul
Reign:c.760-790
Birth Place:Sacul
Death Date:c.790
Death Place:Sacul
Religion:Maya religion

Chʼiyel (ruled c. 760–790+[1]) was the only known Maya king of Sacul, El Petén, city in Guatemala.

It appears that he was the most powerful ruler at Sacul and is recorded as having participated in a number of events, including wars, rituals and royal visits.[2] He was also likely to have been the ruler responsible for the greatest period of construction activity at the city.[3]

On 12 February 760 he is recorded as having received a visit from king Shield Jaguar II of Ucanal, who oversaw Chʼiyel receiving his mannequin sceptre, a symbol of rulership.[4]

Stela 2 of Sacul was raised to commemorate the visit of Chʼiyel to Ixkun on a date that has been reconstructed as 9.18.0.0.0. in the Mesoamerican calendar (11 October 790) and bears portraits of the kings of both Sacul and Ixkun.

Notes and References

  1. Laporte et al 2006, p.222
  2. Laporte et al 2006, p. 222
  3. Laporte et al 2006, p. 222
  4. Laporte et al 2006, p. 222