Classic Maya Flashcards

Study Notes

Tikal's City Center, Maya

Tikal was a dominant kingdom during the Maya civilization.
Funerary Temple I is linked to ruler Jasaw Chan K'awiil I; a smaller funerary temple honors his wife, Lady Kalajuun Une' Mo'.
Temple I features nine stepped levels, potentially reflecting nine underworld levels in Maya belief.

Classic Ceramics Depict Life at Court, Maya

Ceramics illustrate royal court life, where the ruler is depicted as idle, denoted by long nails.
Women are shown waiting on the ruler, while servants fan him and hold mirrors, potentially for self-admiration or ancestral connection.
Court entertainment includes dwarfs and music, with women often seen dancing.
Artistic representations include elongated heads and prosthetic noses, indicating specific beauty standards.
The court setting conveys an elegant, relaxed lifestyle reflective of the ruling class.

Stela 31, Accession of Sian Kan Kawil, 411 AD, Maya

Celebrates Sian Kan Kawil's accession in 411 AD, featuring images of his father, Yax Ayin, with different emblems.
Commissioned in 451, it indicates the use of propaganda and the ruler's connection to Teotihuacan.
Sian Kan Kawil is depicted as a Teotihuacan warrior, integrating local Maya aesthetic with Teotihuacan symbolism.
Yax Ayin's portrayal highlights the political necessity of aligning with powerful external forces like Teotihuacan.

Tikal Temple I, Maya

Serves as the funerary temple for the 8th ruler, Jasaw Chan K'awiil I.
The roof "cone" extension enhances the temple's stature and originally featured a carved image of the ruler.
Mirror to Temple I's nine stepped levels as a symbolic reference to the Maya underworld.

Hieroglyphic Stairway, Maya

Contains 2,500 glyphs documenting 200 years of Copán's history (544-744 AD).
Chronicles royal lineage, including births, deaths, and significant events of Copán rulers.
Features six rulers in three-dimensional forms, highlighting Yax Kuk Mo, the founder of the Copán dynasty.
Emphasizes the legitimacy of ruling power through recorded history.

Altar Q, Maya

Displays portraits of all 16 Copán rulers, with thrones formed by their name glyphs.
Originally positioned in the acropolis, Altar Q serves as both a sculpture and a king list.
Central figure, Yax Kuk Mo, is shown passing a scepter to the 16th ruler, Yax Pac, suggesting continuity of power.
The monument illustrates a display of legitimacy and propaganda for Yax Pac's rule.

Copan Stela A, Maya

Depicts 18 Rabbit wearing a woven mat crown, representing ancestral heritage and divine connection.
18 Rabbit carries the double-headed serpent bar, symbolizing both spiritual and worldly authority.
The portrayal shows him in a pose suggesting a connection with ancestral lineage, emphasizing his divine right to rule.
Lacks Teotihuacan symbols, reinforcing his authority through ancestral communication rather than external influence.

Stela B, 18 Rabbit as Chac, Maya

Commemorates the second katun (20-year period) of 18 Rabbit’s reign linked to the appearance of Venus as the evening star.
18 Rabbit is depicted in the guise of Chac, showcasing continuity with Copán's ruling traditions and religious significance.

Description

Test your knowledge about the Classic Maya civilization with these flashcards. Explore significant sites like Tikal and learn about the rich cultural practices, including ceremonial life and architecture. Perfect for students of Mesoamerican studies.