MAY 3, 738

MAYAN AJAW (COPÁN) UAXACLAJUUN UB’ACH K’AWIIL REPUTEDLY DIED

Known also as “18-Rabbit,” he was the 13th ajaw (ruler) of the Maya polity of Copán in modern Honduras.  On January 2, 695, he ascended the throne upon the death of Smoke Imix and constructed the Esmeralda Structure to entomb Smoke Imix’s remains.  Based on the number of structures and monuments built during his reign, he is seen as Copán’s greatest patron of the arts.  Most impressive is Structure 10L-22–a sacred man-made mountain.  His final achievement was Ballcourt A-III–surpassed only by that of Chichen Itza and remarkable for sloping benches used by players.  He was captured and beheaded by K’ak’ Tiliw Chan Yopaat, ruler of polity of Quirigua, formerly a Copán vassal state.  In 734, K’ak Tiliw Chan Yopaat, declared independence.  After Uaxaclajuun Ub’aah Kawiil’s death, no new structures or monuments were erected for 18 years.

Sources:  David Stuart, "Hieroglyphs and History at Copán," Internet Archive Wayback Machine, 1996.  Retrieved 6/29/2019, https://web.archive.org/web/20081216020327/http://www.peabody.harvard.edu/Copan/text.html “738: Copan king 18-Rabbit (Uaxaclajuun Ub’aah K’awiil),” Executed Today, 5/3/2010.  Retrieved 6/29/2019, http://www.executedtoday.com/2010/05/03/738-copan-king-18-rabbit-uaxaclajuun-ubaah-kawiil/
Photo:  Talk2wink, 2/12/2009.  COPAN Stela B.  Released into Public Domain by the author for any purpose and with no limitations