K'uy Dynasty

Chaan K'uy Nimja
304 - 895
A map of the K'uy Mutul at its greatest extend
Capital	Danguixh Uaxakatz'am
Common languages	Classical Mutulese
Religion	White Path
Government	Monarchy
K'uhul Ajaw
• 304 - 326	Yax Nun Ahin
• 326 - 353	Siyaj Chan K’awiil
History
• War of the Princes	304
• Cousins War	895
Preceded by Succeeded by Chaan Dynasty Chik'in Kingdom Ilok'tab Dynasty

The K'uy Dynasty (Mutli: K'uy Nimja) was the third dynasty to rule the Mutul uncontested. It was preceded by the period of civil war known as the War of the Princes and was followed by another period of internal turmoil: the Cousins War. The K'uy were the first dynasty of foreign origin to conquer the Divine Kingdom and had an important impact over the Mutul's culture. They introduced religious elements such as the Feathered serpent, architectural practices like the talud-tablero, and urbanism as it was practiced in Danguixh.

The K'uy Dynasty was plagued by internal instability. The main divide line of its early history was between the Tatinak aristocracy in Danguixh and the Tatinak-Mutulese aristocracy in Uaxakatz'am which had adopted many aspects of the Chaan culture. Later on, it's the Kayamuca Empire aggressive expansion which would prove to be the main threat to K'uy rule. Despite its apparent long lifespan, the Dynasty can be divided into five lineages: the K'uy, Tzamk'uy, Nehn, Oxk'uy, and Chank'uy. All claimed to be direct descendents of Jatz'om K'uy, last ruler of the Chik'in Kingdom and mastermind of the conquest of the Mutul.

History

See also: Chik'in kingdom

Jatz'om K'uy was the mysterious ruler of Danguixh, then known as Tullan-Puh. Historical records and chronicles paint him as the God-king of the city, but don't match historical evidences which tend to show the city as being ruled by an impersonal religious oligarchy, with very few leading figures known by names. Modern historians have proposed the theory that Jatz'om K'uy might have been a dictatorial figure, who took power either through plotting or by force, and became the de-facto lord of the Chik'in Kingdom. it was also said that Jatz'om's mother was of Mutulese origin, being the daughter of the Tzib’ajab Ajaw, a claimant to the title of K'uhul Ajaw following the downfall of the Chaan Dynasty. Tzib'ajab had become a tributary state of Tullan-Puh, but revolted sometime during Jatz'om Kuy's rule, which prompted the latter to invade the state, sacrifcing the "Western Pretender", and then proclaiming himself K'uhul Ajaw. Then, a faction of aristocrats from Yux, the old capital of the Chaan, asked for his help in overthrowing the current ruler of the city. A successful campaign led by Jatz'om K'uy most trusted general, Siyaj K’ak, allowed the Tatinak lord to install his son as the new Ajaw of Yux. The "Door of the East" now open to the Tatinaks, Jatz'om K'uy was free to press his claim on all the other successor states of the Chaan Mutul.

Jatz'om K'uy died before he could rule a truly unified Mutul and its his son, Yax Nun Ahin, who would oversee the last few conquests.

Yax Nun Ahin returned to Danguixh following his father's death and divided his empire among his generals and family members. His rule was dominated by the figure of the K'aloomte' (High General) Siyaj K'ak, who had been Jatz'om K'uy most trusted general and the one who conquered Yux. Siyaj K'ak had been rewarded, beyond his position in the court as de-facto Prime Minister, with the Ajawil of Waka. His brother, Siyaj Chan K’inich, would become the main teacher and regent of Yax Nun Ahin's son: Siyaj Chan K'awiil in his capacities of Ajaw of Yux and Izapak. For his services, Siyaj Chan K'inich was rewarded with Izapak after his pupil rose to the throne, and the city remained in the possession of his family thereafter.

Tz'amk'uy Lineage

Kan Ak Tz'am was the third ruler of the K'uy Dynasty and began his rule in 353 normally, in Tullan-Puh. But on February 1rst 357 (LC: 8.16.0.0. /8 Kankin / 3 Ajaw), exactly 60 years after Jatz'om K'uy declared himself K'uhul Ajaw, he proclaimed the foundation of a new lineage, the Tz'amk'uy. He also began alternating capitals every nine months between Tullan-Puh and Yux, even if it was clear he remained in Tullan-Puh only to appease the Tatinak aristocracy,as Kan Ak Tz'am himself was very sympathetic to the Mutulo-Tatinak and to the Mutulese culture as a whole. He notably stopped representing himself in Tatinak clothes and adopted more Mutuleses customs.

His son, B'alamb Jolom, continued the tradition of alternating capitals. His rule (from 373 to 395) is often described as an artistic golden age, but remained politicaly in the continuation of what his father had laid down, including the continuous growth of the Mutulo-Tatinak aristocracy.