Warrior Queens Among the Classic Maya

Expanding the canon: Lady K'abel the Ix Kaloomte’ and the political narratives of classic Maya Queens

“…Nevertheless, essential contributions to the field of Maya archaeology from gendered perspectives permit critical inquiry and innovation, resulting in dynamic explorations of these political machinations (Ardren 2002a; Freidel and Guenter 2003; Joyce 2000; Looper 2002; Marcus 2001; Milbrath 1995; Patel 2012; Reese‐Taylor et al. 2009; Vázquez López 2017). Indeed, although our scope is limited to the Classic Maya, we acknowledge that under examinations of Classic Maya female rulership are directly analogous to frequent under representations of royal and nonroyal women throughout the ancient and colonized world (see Berger and White 1999; Campbell 2003).…”

“…Numerous epigraphic references carved on limestone monuments or painted on polychrome pottery underscore the importance of women during the Late Classic period in particular (Patel 2012; Reese‐Taylor et al. 2009; Vázquez López 2017). We highlight royal women's varied roles and agency in the otherwise male‐dominated society of the elite class.…”

“…In their influential work on ancient Maya warrior queens, Reese‐Taylor et al. (2009) cogently identify an emergent female dynastic presence in monumental texts and figural portraiture in the Late Classic (see also Freidel and Guenter 2003), particularly after 623 CE; they posit that this emergence originates culturally from the northern lowlands of Yucatán, which had a longer history of this practice, beginning in the Early Classic. Specifically, after 623 CE there is an increase in instances of reckoning lineage with ambilineal descent to ensure or advance the legitimacy and continuity of a particular royal house (Reese‐Taylor et al.…”

“…Specifically, after 623 CE there is an increase in instances of reckoning lineage with ambilineal descent to ensure or advance the legitimacy and continuity of a particular royal house (Reese‐Taylor et al. 2009). This emphasis on female divine rulership appears in association with a Late Classic hegemonic state known as the kaan (“snake” in Mayan) kingdom, ruled by individuals given the title k'uhul kaan ajaw , “holy snake lord.” In their designs to achieve political dominance in the region (Figure 1), kaan dynasts use “marriage diplomacy” (Teufel 2008) to advance their hegemony.…”

“…Their importance for martial and political affairs has been noted in terms of the prevalence of them being depicted as the moon goddess (Looper 2002; Milbrath 1995, 1999; Reese‐Taylor et al. 2009; Vázquez López 2017), a deity closely linked with prognostication that Looper (2002) argues is associated with warfare. Reese‐Taylor et al.…”