Polyukhovych Y. Political and dynastic history of the Maya state of Baakal according to the corpus of epigraphic sources of Palenque (Lakamha')

This dissertation is devoted to a comprehensive analysis of the political and dynastic history of the Maya state of Baakal with its capital at Lakamha' (Palenque) during the fifth through tenth centuries A.D. This thesis contains a complete review of the historiography and main results achieved by scholars in previous studies of Palenque and an outline of issues that require further investigation. Using the available epigraphic and archaeological data it was possible to reconstruct in detail the political and dynastic history of Baakal in certain chronological phases, to establish the main stages of its political development, and to identify possible causes of the demise of the kingdom. The first phase covers events from the foundation of a local dynasty up to the reign of K'inich Janaahb Pakal (fifth through early seventh centuries A.D.). It was the time of the formation of the Baakal state and the foundation of its governmental institutions. The second stage of Baakal history covers the rule of K'inich Janaahb Pakal (A.D. 615-683), when political, economic, and cultural growth of the state reached its highest level. The third stage is the period of the weakening of the Baakal state at the end of the seventh and beginning of the eighth centuries A.D. The fourth stage features - a temporary rise of Baakal during the reign of Ahkal Mo' Naahb III (A.D. 721-post 736). The fifth stage is, when the final weakening and fall of the Baakal kingdom occurred (mid eighth through tenth centuries A.D.).