Kʼinich Ahkal Moʼ Nahb III
This Maya king presided over Palenque's final golden age, commissioning monumental art to secure his dynasty's legacy.
Born 678 (age 1348)·Ajaw of Palenque 721 to 736·Birthday: September 13
Biography
Kʼinich Ahkal Moʼ Nahb III ascended the throne of Palenque in 721 AD, inheriting a city still basking in the glory of his famous predecessor, Kʼinich Janaabʼ Pakal. His reign, while not marked by vast territorial conquest, was a period of sophisticated consolidation and artistic flourish. He focused on strengthening Palenque's political and ritual foundations, likely in response to growing regional pressures. A master of symbolic power, he commissioned elaborate stone panels and temple renovations that meticulously tied his lineage directly to the city's founding gods. The exquisite Tablet of the Slaves and the Temple XIX platform are testaments to this campaign, blending history, mythology, and royal propaganda. His rule represents the last sustained chapter of architectural and intellectual brilliance before Palenque's eventual decline into silence.
#1 When Kʼinich Was Born
The biggest hits of 678
Kʼinich's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
678Born
683Started school
691Became a teenager
694Could drive
696Could vote
699Turned 21
708Turned 30
718Turned 40
728Turned 50
738Turned 60
748Turned 70
758Turned 80
2026Age 1348 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Commissioned the elaborate sculpted panels of Temple XIX, which detailed his accession and divine right to rule.
- Oversaw significant construction and renovation in Palenque's ceremonial center, including work on the Temple of the Sun.
- His reign is documented by a series of detailed hieroglyphic texts that provide crucial historical data for the late Classic period.
Did You Know?
His name translates to 'Turtle Macaw Lake' or 'Great Sun Turtle Macaw Lake'.
He was a grandson of the great ruler Kʼinich Janaabʼ Pakal.
Evidence suggests he may have taken the throne after a period of political instability involving other claimants.
“I dedicated the white house of the north, the house of the cold, the house of the wind.”
