Pakal the Great: The Maya King Defined by Art and Beauty
Pakal II, also known as Palak the Great, is one of the most recognizable figures in Mesoamerican history, but this has little to do with his military prowess.
Pakal II is, without a doubt, the most famous member of the K’inich dynasty, which is itself one of the most storied lineages in Maya history.
But what makes Pakal II of Palenque such a towering figure in Maya history was forged in a different way than most of those who carry the moniker “The Great”
Humble Beginnings
Palenque, before the time of Pakal the Great, was not exactly a backwater. Still, it was neither particularly noteworthy for anything other than its fertile soil and abundant water, as its Maya name, Lakumha, translates as “Great Waters.”
Because of the fertility of the region’s soil and abundant water, archaeologists believe Palenque began its existence as a small farming community as far back as 2,500 BCE. That said, whether these people should be regarded as Proto-Maya or even as direct ancestors of the Maya of the classical period remains an open question.
By the first century CE. Palenque had developed into one of the most important cities, or perhaps even the capital, of the region known as B’akaal in parts of what are today the Mexican states of Chiapas and Tabasco.
It was not until the 4th century C.E. that K’inich K’uk’ B’alam would found the K’inich dynasty to which Pakal II belonged.
Although Kʼinich Janaabʼ Pakal is often just referred to simply as Pakal, the man history would remember as Pakal is actually Pakal II.
It would stand to reason that Pakal II would have inherited his title of Ajaw (lord or king) from his father, Pakal the First, but this is not the case.
Pakal the Great lorded over a war captive in a clear act of political propaganda, though military conquest is not what he is best remembered for.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
Palenque, known in antiquity as Lakumha, is one of the most impressive Maya cities of the Classic period.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
The coronation of Pakal II by his mother is most famously depicted on the so-called Oval Palace Tablet found in Palenque’s palace.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
Epigraphic analysis of the northern staircase inside the main courtyard of the Palace of Planque tells of the city’s defeat by Calakmul, but also of how Pakal the Great came to power and made it greater than ever.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
Section of a full-body relief of Pakal the Great, which still maintains a good deal of its original color.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
In fact, little is known about Pakal II’s father, who went by the name K’an Mo’ Hix. What is known is that he did not hold the title of Ajaw (King or Lord), but was likely the consort of Lady Sak Kʼukʼ, whose father, Pakal I, reigned until his death the year after Calakmul sacked Palenque.
This means that Pakal II inherited his title from his maternal grandfather, but received it from his mother, who governed in his stead until he came of age in 683 CE.
Given this circumstance, aside from Pakal II, the second most famous member of his family to this day is his mother, Lady Sak Kʼukʼ, also known as the Red Queen.
Aside from her regency, the Red Queen is best remembered for her sarcophagus, which was discovered inside Temple XIII, a structure immediately adjacent to the Temple of the Inscriptions, the towering pyramid that houses the tomb of Pakal II. This placement, in a dedicated temple next to a king, is a powerful statement of her extraordinary status.
One could say that, despite her remarkable life, the legacy of the Red Queen has more to do with art and propaganda than her deeds—something which, as we will see, could perhaps also be said about Pakal the Great.
How Pakal II Became Pakal the Great
The fame of Pakal the Great (Also known as Kʼinich Janaabʼ Pakal, or Pakal II) is aided by the fact that he reigned for 68 years over Palenque, making him the fifth-longest-verified-lived monarch in world history.
His nearly seven-decade reign gave Pakal plenty of time to make a name for himself, despite being born during a particularly turbulent time in Palenque’s history, marked by Calakmul’s sacking of the city just four years earlier, in 683 CE.
Most figures to whom the label “the great” is attributed came to their fame through victory in battle, but with Pakal the Great, this is not the case.
This is not to say Pakal II had no military victories. In 659 CE, Pakal II exacted a measure of revenge for his maternal grandfather by waging war against territories allied with Calakmul. This campaign ended in victory for Palenque and the capture of the leaders of Pomona and Santa Elena.
But note that he never dared engage Calakmul directly, as this would have been suicidal. Instead, he chose to take on a couple of Calakmul’s lesser vasals. What is more, Pakal II chose to do this at a time when Calakmul was engaged in total war against the equally formidable Tikal.
Pakal the Great Patron of the Arts
Pakal the Great is most remembered as a great builder who, through magnificent architecture and art, effectively made himself immortal by bringing prestige to himself, his ancestors, and descendants.
During his reign, Pakal II embarked on a campaign to reshape Palenque in his image, ensuring that his dynasty would be remembered not for its military defeats but for its splendor.
Senior Editor Carlos Rosado van der Gracht, PhD, is a journalist, photographer, and expedition leader. Born in Mérida, Carlos holds degrees from universities in Mexico, Canada, and Norway. Most recently, he earned a doctorate in Heritage Studies in 2026.
