Chapter Two
The Wasp Katun; The Era of the Land at War
The Kingdom of the Snake had seemingly achieved total hegemony over most of the lowlands. Mutul's royal family had been divided into two warring factions, the one not on their side having recently been humbled yet again. They had held sway over kingdoms from Edzna in the north all the way to the Petexbatun region of the south. In the west only Paxchan and Yok'ib' curbed their interests. The great ajaw of the B'akha', Janaab Pakal, was almost 80 years old and on his death bed. The king of Xuxpi, Mutul's other great ally, was even older than Pakal. Traders from Kaan covered an even greater distance than their king's network of alliances. From the isthmus far to the south all the way past the aging Tamoan nation, they brought goods to the towns and cities of Kaan. And even Macuixco itself, a city from which the kings of Mutul had traced their descent and had what was the largest empire any had ever known, had now plunged into ruin and shambles. These were some of the brightest years Kaan had ever known.
But Mutul had no intention of fading into oblivion as their idols far to the west had just done. On 9.12.9.17.16, 5 Cib 14 Sutz' (May 3rd, 682) the son of Nuun Ujol Chaak had ascended to the mat and throne of Mutul. He took the headband, the headdress, and the scepter of rule, and from this point on Jasaw Chan K'awiil (Lightning That Clears the Sky) was dead set on changing the fortunes of his beleaguered kingdom. He set out to make himself Mutul's greatest leader since Siyaj Chan K'awiil, and thusly began crafting this image for himself by building great things to show his power. He showed more strength and resolve than his predecessors Nuun Ujol Chaak and Wak Chan K'awiil ever did in defying the overlords of the Snake Kingdom. This led people to have more hope than ever, even if some among them believed he'd meet the same fate.
-a modern portrait of Jasaw Chan K'awiil based on an ancient banner stone (very big I warn you)-
In this year many other great changes were occurring. The defeat of Saal in a war against their eternal rivals in Oxhuitza led to Kaan having the daughter of Balaj Chan K'awiil, Lady Wak Chanil, take charge of that kingdom herself. Now they would be prevented from squabbling with Oxhuitza, both of whom were still considered important allies of Kaan. Eventually her son was installed on the throne, but since he was still a child she would continue to rule as a regent and take credit for their numerous victories. In this same year Itzamnaaj Balam would take to power in Paxchan, as one of its greatest rulers in its entire history. He too would have great influence over the course of the next coming winik haab [1]. And many lords died in the years surrounding the ascension of these three great lords. A year after Jasaw came to power, Pakal the Great of Tokhtan died at last and was entombed in a magnificent burial under his greatest temple, to be succeeded by his already aging son K'inich Kan Balam the Second. And a few years later Yuknoom Ch'een the Great of Kaan passed on and entered the water as well, succeeded by his son Yuknoom Yich'aak K'ahk'.
-the sarcophagus lid of Pakal, ruler of Lakamha-
Tensions would grow between these powers until it hit a boiling point at the dawn of the 13th Katun of the 9th Baktun. This marked the end of the Sixth Cycle. Kaan had seated the last cycle, and now Mutul seated this one, the Seventh Cycle, gaining the tributary rights, the holy tree, the holy well, and the title ziyan kan, "Born of "Heaven." Edzna seated the last katun, but now this one was seated by Coba, in the northeast. It was an 8 Ahau Katun. The prophecies for 8 Ahau were the most grim and severe of all the prophecies. It was said to be a time of destruction among governors, and end to greed but through much fighting and bloodshed. A time of settling in a new place. The international councils of priests and sages concluded that things were going to get bad, and they name this winik haab the Wasp Katun. It was up to the rulers to see if they wanted to abide by the word of the councils and the Spokesmen and the Great Sun Priest of the Katun and the Cycle, or if they wanted to put them to the test and fight it out for dominance of the land.
Jasaw Chan K'awiil was the one in particular who could and wanted to initiate the conflict to reclaim what was once his and more. He conferred with the priests, and with the rulers of the cycle seats. In the end, he decided that it wasn't up to any human to avoid what the katun prophecy said. He realized that the prophecy was not what might happen, but what would and what should. If the prophecy spoke of destruction, then he would bring destruction. Jasaw, Ochk'in Kaloomte of Mutul and Lord of the Thirteenth Tzuk', had decided on war.
-Jasaw Chan K'awiil on his palanquin with an effigy of the war symbol Uaxaclajuun Ub'aah Kaan (18 Images of the Serpent) above him also borne by the palanquin. Some details (like his mask) have been eroded-
He had two goals when he started his war. One was the destruction of the Petexbatun state led by his treacherous uncle who had so dearly cost both his father and his kingdom in pride and strength. Balaj's treachery was viewed with great disdain all across the Maya world, even in the kingdom of Kaan, as loyalty to one's family and house was of the utmost importance. The destruction of the Petexbatun would also cut the circle around Mutul that Kaan had created as a noose. To the north of Mutul was Kaan itself and it's allies of Chatan and Maasal. To the east, Saal and Oxhuitza. To the west, Waka and Hix Witz (the Jaguar Hills), and to the south was the Petexbatun, which despite having a lot of area was not as densely populated and the other cities in the region often were at odds with Balaj. They would be the easiest ones to destroy and break the tight grip Kaan was placing all around them.
But Kaan and Saal would attack if Jasaw went south, so to solve this problem he sent his younger brother and most important sajal, Siyaj K'awiil, north to fight them. His army would be just as strong as Jasaw's, and even more importantly Jasaw bestowed upon him the unprecedented honor of having the Uaxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiil [2] go bear him and lead his army. With this great power. he believed victory was inevitable. So he went south with confidence in his brother. Despite his brother's inexperience, he had every guarantee that their kingdom's great patron effigy would give him protection in battle as it had for his ancestors before him, stretching back to Tamoan itself, whose soldiers were peerless warriors under its gaze.
Under the effigy of Mutul's uay (personified/animal spirit), Jasaw Chan K'awiil went south to crush his uncle once and for all. Gathering forces from Ik' [3] on the way, they went through the swamps and marshes guided by the local road weasels (scouts/spies). He realized however that despite having far fewer men, Balaj might be able to harry him out in the thick vegetation of this swampy terrain, so Jasaw sought to get out as close to the open grounds of farmland as soon as possible. He also realized that in his old age Balaj would not be with any warriors in the swamp, instead he would either be at his palace or possibly with an army in an open field waiting, not taking the initiative. So Jasaw took his time, and sent out men to persuade and turn his lords of neighboring cities against him, just as Yuknoom of Kaan did to Balaj himself. And soon, with a new host of lords who grew hungry with jealousy from Mula'ak to Sak Tzuy, Jasaw's army grew.
It was in Balaj's capital of the Petexbatun kingdom that matters would be settled. The capital was also named Mutul, which greatly offended Jasaw Chan K'awiil and seemed to him a cruel mockery. He resolved to raze the entire city to the ground should he take it. They had built crude walls in haste, taking much stone from their own temples and houses to do so. Since there were no river routes in, he ordered the local lords of the Petexbatun who joined him to begin the assault, reasoning that people who betray their allies so easily should be the ones who first feel their wrath. They attacked the walls with great speed, using ladders to launch themselves over and assail the defenders. The assault was brutal, but swift enough that the attackers took few enough casualties to reach the wall. They ascended on pole-ladders with great haste and cast the outnumbered defenders down where they did not simply retreat.
Once in however, they found there was yet another wall surrounding the town center. They trapped themselves in a killing alley. The warriors of Balaj fought furiously and slayed many of their former allies, who were taken by surprise and felled in great numbers. But while they did this the men of Jasaw and his allies were patiently and calmly ascending the first wall and reusing the ladders to start scaling the second as soon as the defenders ran out of darts from their spearthrowers and were driven back. Exhausted, the defense was quickly overrun, and as Jasaw promised the entire city was razed to the ground. Most conquerors simply subjugated their takings and installed a client lord to rule them as a new leader, but this second Mutul would never exist again. The palace was taken last, and Balaj Chan K'awiil was taken alive. As punishment for his betrayal so many years ago, he was denied even the honor of being decapitated in Mutul itself. Instead, he was "adorned" for three days for sacrifice here in the ruins of his capital. He experienced much pain for these three days and was allowed to witness the looting of his short-lived kingdom, before Jasaw Chan K'awiil personally avenged his father's honor from the top of Balaj's own principle temple.
This triumph however was not reflected in the northern campaign as Jasaw Chan had hoped. His younger brother Siyaj K'awiil was experiencing much difficulty getting allies to join him, and even when he got some, he was outmaneuvered and caught in an open field by the combined armies of Kaan, Saal, Chatan, Waka, and Masaal at a place called Yellow Rabbit. It was the height of the dry season, and on this dry savannah his tired men were prepared to engage in the largest set-piece battle in the thirteen tzuk'ob for a long time. Both sides adorned and painted themselves in the designs of their Houses. The nobles and the young fighters blooded into warrior societies and highborn houses also adorned themselves with their finest jewelery. After the necessary preparations everyone congregated around the banners and towering palanquins of their own lords, with the Uaxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiil over Siyaj K'awiil, and the Yajaw Maan (Kaan's palanquin effigy, a supernatural jaguar) over Yuknoom Yich'aak K'ahk', each forming the center of their armies.
Kings and royals, nobles and highborn warriors, peasant militias and holcanes (professional soldiers), faced off across one another under the harsh sun, waiting for the time to attack. A hundred thousand men were on this one field. When Yich'aak gave the signal, the large, deep drums on Kaan's side started giving out a steady roaring beat that could be heard for miles. Mutul did likewise, and the people present could only barely make out the sound of the conch shells and trumpets that started sounding over this. It was around midday when the signal to attack was given, and both sides rushed each other. Now a new sound rose, the hard pounding of rubber sandals on sun-baked earth followed by loud battle-cries of the warriors, which each House and warrior society having their own unique shout.
When they were roughly two-hundred paces apart, both sides let their spearthrower darts fly, and many were felled by these. At a closer range the peasants started slinging fast and deadly rocks. But when they clashed up close was when the battle truly started. Both sides attacked from all angles, seeking to find a weak-spot or to expose their flank, both sides also watching for their own weaknesses and covering them. Back and forth they went, and the hot-blooded warriors and glory-seekers would start rushing at the enemy banners marking the presence of a noble whose capture would bring great honor to them. The continued shouts and calls rang out alongside the shattering glass of weapons, the stamping of feet as warriors charged and pushed. Smoke signals and mirror glares were made on both sides to signal out to the further reaches of the armies. The razor blades of the warriors' flint and obsidian swords, axes, clubs, and spears drew blood quickly and easily, and so it was splashed and spilled in great volumes upon that ground. Replacements didn't have long to wait before they had to be called up front and join the life or death struggle, with many braves rushing to their own deaths to give their comrades a chance to charge deeper past the enemy lines.
This went on for hours, until Mutul seemed to be gaining the upper hand when found a gap to exploit in the lines of the troops from Waka. With glee they went into this contingent, slaughtering many, and even the great Serpent bearing Siyaj was going into this fray. And this was the downfall of Mutul. When they saw the Uaxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiil going forth into their ally's flank, the warriors of Kaan saw an opportunity, and rushed it themselves. Everyone available went into this one attack, and the warriors of Mutul mounted their most valiant defense, but a great general of Kaan named Chan Muyal ascended the mounting pile of corpses, and with great strength and skill cut down all his opponents, until he stepped foot onto the Mutul lord's palanquin, and took him captive. When this was done, the warriors who had seen this slung their shields over their backs and fled, causing the others to flee or surrender as well. The Battle of Yellow Rabbit was over at long last. The death toll was staggering. Many lords and princes of Waka' in particular had fallen or were taken, with the contingent from Mutul itself suffering almost as many casualties. Besides the dead others were also maimed or otherwise permanently disables. The work of the bonesetters and especially the priests would last a long time. But Kaan had come off with a clear victory here at least.
-the captive lord Siyaj K'awiil-
Jasaw Chan K'awiil returned from his Petexbatun conquests to Mutul, praised as a hero. But in his heart he felt it a bittersweet victory. Kaan had not been humbled, and in fact had won a massive victory. It did not matter that Mutul did as well, for his younger brother was taken to Kaan and sacrificed. The noose surrounding Mutul was broken but at a great cost. Yet Jasaw was not defeated, and in fact he still only sought to grow stronger and make Mutul strong too. The Wasp Katun was not over yet.
Nevertheless, the year 9.13.3 (695) had been one of great changes for the people all across the Land of Turkey and Deer. The powers of Mutul and Kaan had yet again fought out a decisive battle to shape the face of the lowlands, but it turned out to be more inconclusive than either had wished. Kaan was still strong and dominant of the north, but Mutul had remained independent and had defeated their great ally in the Petexbatun region to the south. Both powers however had not yet exhausted themselves of violence and ambition, and the prophecies concerning the Wasp Katun were being fulfilled. Jasaw set his sights on more kingdoms to plunder and absorb, and Yich'aak sought to counter his every move.
Far to the south in the mean time, a great king of Xuxpi had died. K'ahk Uti' Witz' K'awiil had passed away, having recently become a 5-Katun Lord. His son Uaxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiil (18 Images of K'awiil) ascended to the throne. He was a great artist in addition to being a strong ruler, and under his reign his capital of Oxwitik grew to become a highly respected city, despite its remoteness on the frontiers. Further to the south, the ancient city of Suywa, long having fallen into obscurity, was now growing again and trying to establish rule over the highlands. Their greatest obstacles however were the growing number of tribes who spoke a variety of dialects moving in from the west. Among them the Forest People [4] were the worst, moving from place to place like vagabonds and with little knowledge of book-keeping, but fierce warriors all the same. And even Zaklohpakab [5] to the south, on the shores of the great western ocean, was trying to exert control on vital trade routes. These troublesome times were only exacerbated by the growing political intrigue in the capital as the ruling houses were starting to turn on each other.
Eventually, Jasaw finally made his next move. A year after the Battle of Yellow Rabbit, he personally sent his forces west, attacking Waka. He did this to further destroy the ring Kaan had created around his kingdom, and because Waka was the easiest target as much of their forces had been destroyed in the previous year's battle. But his advisers were more nervous, as an attack on Waka could make Paxchan nervous, as Waka was close their borders. Paxchan had been neutral in the big rivalry, and they were worried that this might push them close to joining the Snake Kingdom. The advisers were ignored, and Jasaw Chan K'awiil, under a new palanquin effigy, went west with ten thousand men, and soon Waka crumbled, and a new dynasty was created from the lineage that had long ago supported the warriors of Siyaj K'ak'.
Now Kaan was in a dangerous position. Not only were their chief allies to the south and west of Mutul now taken under their enemy's domination, Mutul was now freed from their choking grasp and could continue at will. And in the north many were feeling more important. Their northernmost ally of Edzna was now disregarding their will, and Edzna's subordinates followed suit. Military stratagems were of little use now, so Yuknoom Yich'aak K'ak' turned to diplomacy. Envoys were sent to many far places. To Ixtutz, Ixkun, K'anwitznal, and even as far as Popo', road weasels and high lords were sent with bundles of tribute to turn kings to the side of Kaan.
However, halfway through the katun, Yuknoom Yich'aak K'ak' passed into Xibalba, and was succeeded by Yuknoom Took' K'awiil. In the same year K'inich K'an Joy Chitam ascended to the throne of Lakamha after his older brother died. Under the guidance of his lords Took' continued his father's policy of trying to win over more kingdoms to try and stop the expansion of Mutul. In the east, Ixtutz joined the alliance, and together with Saal they attack many of Mutul's southern outposts. In the east battles raged between the vassals and allies of Kaan and Mutul, to the point where they started sending their own forces to stop the chaos. Oxhuitza was burned. The entire Petexbatun was ravaged again. There was no end in sight.
In the south the madness of the Wasp Katun spread to the highland tribes. The K'iche', the Kaqchikels, the Kekchi, the Tzutujil, and the Mam attacked the outposts of Suywa to establish more independence for themselves. K'an Jolom tried to send help, and his city therefore became embroiled in conflict as well. The most powerful lineages in his city became dissatisfied. Xuxpi was a lone bastion of calm in the storm that had engulfed the entire land. In the closing years of the Wasp Katun, Popo' had signaled their intent to ally with Kaan when they sent an army under their powerful warlords K'elen Hix and Ah Ch'anaah, nobles who controlled the kingdom, to sack Lakamha. This they did, and the K'uhul Ajaw of Lakamha was taken to Po', and adorned with paper strips through his ears replacing his fine jewelry, and here K'an Joy Chitam was decapitated, a sacrifice that cemented a new relationship between Po' and Kaan, and a major setback for Mutul.
But by the end of the Wasp Katun, Mutul had come out ahead. The grip on their city was broken, and Jasaw Chan K'awiil had established himself as one of the greatest rulers of his time. He had defeated and killed his treacherous uncle, and expanded his kingdom south and west. Kaan had lost much of it's control over the area, but it still continued going strong and dominated the east and north of the central lowlands. The far city of Puh, also called Macuixco, had now declined in power as a civil war was brewing between the rulers and the Nahua peoples immigrating from the north and no longer had any influence over the Maya. But immigrants from these western lands in Mexico now came east seeking new beginnings. The population of the area was reaching into the tens of millions. A new time had begun, and they would need a lot of luck and help in surviving the years to come.
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[1] Winik Haab is the Classic Ch'ol word for katun.
[2] This is the 18 Images of the Snake, an important deity and potent war symbol borrowed from Teotihuacan. When going into battle kings would be borne on massive, elaborate palanquins which had some symbol or effigy of a god that protects their kingdom on it. The 18-headed snake is just the most famous and possibly was regarded as the most potent. Maya warfare had a lot of spiritual elements and the "power" of these symbols was believed to be quite important and influential over the course of battle.
[3] Motul de San Jose. Situated around the lake Peten Itza, the Ik' polity was apparently influential and strong, despite its small size.
[4] The K'iche' people, nowadays I think the second-largest Maya ethnic group, certainly the largest in Guatemala.
[5] Cotzumalguapa and El Baul, a couple of sites with a somewhat distinct culture that spread over a large area.