Editing Palenque (section)

===Late Classic period===
[[File:UpperMiddleTempleInscriptions.jpg|thumb|left|The two inner columns from the Temple of the Inscriptions]]
Bʼaakal began the Late Classic period in the throes of the disorder created by the defeats before Calakmul. The glyphic panels at the [[Temple of the Inscriptions]], which records the events at this time, relates that some fundamental annual religious ceremonies were not performed in 613, and at this point states: "Lost is the divine lady, lost is the king."<ref>Mesoweb</ref> Mentions of the [[government]] at the time have not been found.

It is believed that after the death of Aj Ne' Yohl Mat, [[Janaab' Pakal|Janaab Pakal]], also called Pakal I, took power thanks to a political agreement. Janaab Pakal assumed the functions of the ''ajaw'' (king) but never was crowned. He was succeeded in 612 by his daughter, the queen [[Sak Kʼukʼ]], who governed for only three years until her son was old enough to rule. It is considered that the dynasty was reestablished from then on, so Bʼaakal retook the path of glory and splendor.

[[File:The Observation Tower.jpg|thumb|200px|The Palace Observation Tower]]
The grandson of Janaab Pakal is the most famous of the Mayan kings, Kʼinich Janaab' Pakal, also known as [[Pakal the Great]]. He began rule at the age of 12 years after his mother Sak Kuk resigned as queen after three years, thus passing power on to him. Pakal the Great reigned in Palenque from 615 to 683, and his mother remained an important force for the first 25 years of his rule. She may have ruled jointly with him. Known as the favorite of the gods, he carried Palenque to new levels of splendor, in spite of having come to power when the city was at a low point. Pakal married the [[Princess consort|princess]] of Oktán, Lady Tzakbu Ajaw (also known as Ahpo-Hel) in 624 and had at least three children.

[[File:Palace at Palenque.jpg|thumb|left|The Palace as seen from the courtyard.]]
Most of the palaces and temples of Palenque were constructed during his government; the city flourished as never before, eclipsing [[Tikal]]. The central complex, known as The Palace, was enlarged and remodeled on various occasions, notably in the years 654, 661, and 668. In this structure, is a text describing how in that epoch Palenque was newly allied with Tikal, and also with [[Yaxchilan]], and that they were able to capture the six enemy kings of the alliance. Not much more had been translated from the text.

[[File:Palenque Palace inner view.JPG|thumb|left|In the Palace]]
After the death of Pakal in 683, his older son Kʼinich Kan Bʼalam assumed the kingship of Bʼaakal, who in turn was succeeded in 702 by his brother Kʼinich Kʼan Joy Chitam II. The first continued the architectural and sculptural works that were begun by his father, as well as finishing the construction of the famous tomb of Pakal. Pakal's sarcophagus, built for a very tall man, held the richest collection of jade seen in a Mayan tomb. A [[jade]] mosaic mask was placed over his face, and a suit made of jade adorned his body, with each piece hand-carved and held together by gold wire.<ref name="Schrom"/>

Furthermore, Kʼinich Kan Bʼalam I began ambitious projects, including the Group of the Crosses. Thanks to numerous works begun during his government, now we have portraits of this king, found in various sculptures. His brother succeeded him continuing construction and art with the same enthusiasm, reconstructing and enlarging the north side of the Palace. Thanks to the reign of these three kings, Bʼaakal had a century of growth and splendor.

[[File:Palenque - Rote Königin 1.jpg|thumb|200px|Mask of the Red Queen from the tomb found in Temple XIII.]]
In 711, Palenque was sacked by the realm of [[Toniná]], and the old king Kʼinich Kʼan Joy Chitam II was taken prisoner. It is not known what the final fate of the king was, and it is presumed that he was executed in Toniná. For 10 years there was no king. Finally, Kʼinich Ahkal Moʼ Nab' III was crowned in 722. Although the new king belonged to the royalty, there is no evidence that he was the direct inheritor of Kʼinich Kʼan Joy Chitam II. It is believed, therefore, that this coronation was a break in the dynastic line, and probably Kʼinich Ahkal Nab' arrived to power after years of maneuvering and forging political alliances. This king, his son, and grandson governed until the end of the 8th century. Little is known about this period, except that, among other events, the war with Toniná continued, where there are hieroglyphics that record a new defeat of Palenque.

Occasionally city-state lords [[:Category:Maya queens|were women]]. Lady Sak Kuk ruled at Palenque for at least three years starting in 612 CE, before she passed her title to her son. However, these [[Queen regnant|female rulers]] were accorded male attributes. They were presented as more masculine, since they had assumed roles that were typically held by men.<ref>{{cite book |title=Archaeology in North America |last=Snow |first=Dean R |author-link=Dean R Snow |year=2010 |publisher=Prentice Hall |pages=165–166}}</ref>