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<imgur thumb="yes" w="400" comment="The divisions in the Mutul before 370 BC, with the four marches.">0VPwU5w.png</imgur>
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[[File:Mutul First Dynasty End.PNG|250px|thumb|Administrative and political division of the [[Paol'lunyu Dynasty|First Mutul]] before the Revolt, with the name of the main Ajawils indicated as well as their factions]]


The '''Nakabe Revolt''', also known as te '''Nakabe Civil War''', is an event in [[Mutul|Mutulese history]] that happened from 370 BC (''Long Count : 6.19.3.3.1'') to 320 BC (''Long Count : 7.1.13.4.11'') and saw the end of the [[Paol'lunyu Dynasty]] as well as the destruction of [[Paol'lunyu Dynasty#Overview|Kaminyajunlyu]]. It ended with the defeat of the '''Ka Dynasty''' of '''Nakabe''', and the victory of the 6th Dynasty : the '''Chaan Nimja'''.
The '''Nakabe Revolt''', also known as the '''Nakabe Civil War''', is an event in [[Mutul|Mutulese history]] that lasted from 370 BC to 300 BC and saw the end of the [[Paol'lunyu Dynasty]] as well as the destruction of [[Paol'lunyu Dynasty#Overview|Kaminyajunlyu]]. It ended with the defeat of the '''Ka Dynasty''' of '''Nakabe''', and the establishment of a new Mutul : the [[Chaan Dynasty]].  


The consequences of the Nakabe revolt are numerous, as more than any other events before, it forced to define the role and the powers of the K’uhul Ajaw, and the war changes to the economy forced the centralization of powers into the hands of the warlords and their clans, creating all-powerful figures helped by administrations forced to innovates new methods and practices to stay efficient and support the military.
The consequences of the Nakabe revolt are numerous, as more than any other events before, it forced to define the role and the powers of the [[Divine Monarchy of the Mutul|K’uhul Ajaw]], and forced the centralization of the various competing Mutals' administrations and military.  


Modern historians tend to consider the Nakabe Revolt as the true “birth” of the modern concept of Divine Monarchy, and the Chaan Dynasty that followed as the true start of the Mutul as a State and not as a loose federation of tributaries cities.
Modern historians tend to consider the Nakabe Revolt as the true “birth” of the modern concept of Divine Monarchy, and the Chaan Dynasty that followed as the true start of the Mutul as we know it.


==Sources==
==Sources==


Informations on the events of the revolt and the civil war that followed are rare and heavily influenced by the propaganda of the winning Xook Dynasty. Most of them come from the records of the Nojol Witz priesthood, together called the Wayeb Chronicles, and the Old Royals Codexes conserved in the Kalak’Muul museum. But other sources, coming from the archeology and field studies, come to complete these sources. The ruins of most cities of this period bear the traces of these events, especially Nakabe and the Ka Nojatot Mausoleum. All the competing dynasties erected many monuments to their victories, giving the archaeologists important informations and allowing them to extrapolate Long Count Dates for the various battles and Ajaw rules.
Informations on the events of the revolt and the civil war that followed are rare and heavily influenced by the propaganda of the winning [[Chaan Dynasty]]. The main sources of informations are the records of [[Sakal Witz]] and its priesthood, and the many stelae and other monuments erected by the various competing Mutals to commemorate their victories and accomplishments.


==Context==
==Context==
[[File:Monument 65.jpg|250px|thumb|A stelae from [[Paol'lunyu Dynasty|Kaminyajunlyu]]]]
By the start of the 4th century BC, the [[Paol’lunyu Dynasty]] had lost much of its powers. They only controlled a relatively small strip of land between Kaminyajulyu and [[Sakal Witz]], but the Marches of their Mutul were out of their jurisdiction, as local aristocratic families had taken or retaken their hold on the borderlands and, by extension, on the military.


<imgur thumb="yes" w="375" comment="The main complex of Kaminyajunlyu and center of the Paol'lunyu Dynasty.">MCvieG8.png</imgur>
The Yajawil of Nakabe had been established around 680 BC ({{wp|Mesoamerican calendar|Long Count}}: 6.3.8.4.13) to serve as the Northern March of the Mutul, protecting the wealthy valleys of the Highlands against K’olti or Yakalmek raids. The charge of this new colony was left to the House of Kamat'e. Nakabe grew to become a successful Ajawil and one that quickly became an important player in the political spheres of the Extensive Period. they subjugated the K'ol kingdoms and tribes and obtained tributes from them, while also striking a secret alliance with the Yakalmek Kingdom, allowing the city to develop its economy.
By the start of the 4th century BC, the Paol’lunyu Dynasty had lost much of its powers. They only controlled a relatively small strip of land between Kaminyajulyu and Nojol Witz, but the Marches of the kingdom were out of their jurisdiction, as local clans had taken or retaken their hold on the borderlands and, by extension, on the military.


The Yajawkab’ of Nakabe had been established around 680 BC (Long Count : 6.3.8.4.13) to serve as the Northern March of the Mutul, protecting the wealthy valleys of the Highlands against K’olti or Yakalmek raids.
During the Extensive Period, Nakabe wasn’t the only Ajawil acting autonomously from Kaminyajunlyu : [[Oxwitik]], [[Izapak]], and [[Takalik]], had all obtained a great level of independence from the central crown and were now all in competitions against one another, seeking an even greater autonomy and more wealth.


The Noble House in charge of this mission, the Ka Nojatot (synonym of Nimja in modern days) succeeded, but their growth couldn’t be stopped or controlled by the Paol’Lunyu Dynasty. The Yajaw Ca Apap Ka had the loyalty of the military and a complete control over the borders. The K’ol tribes he had subjugated paid tributes to him and not to the K’uhul Ajaw, and he had his own administration charged with the collect of taxes, tributes, and fines. He even signed peace treaties with the Yakalmek, without the K’uhul Ajaw knowledge.
Nakabe wasn’t the only city in this situation as Oxwitik, capital of the Eastern March, was in a similar level of autonomy and enjoyed the same privileges when it came to deal with the Lencas tribes and petty kingdoms. The affirmation of the High Nobility’s powers and freedom was the start of the Paol’lunyu’s decline.
==Events==
==Events==
===Start of the Revolt===
===Start of the Revolt===
<imgur thumb="yes" w="375" comment="Reconstitution of the monument built in honor to Ak'nom Petaj in Nakabe.">gaKaiXX.png</imgur>
'''Ak’nom Petaj''', Yajaw of Nakabe, inherited in 376 BC of a Northern March that was completely autonomous from Kaminyajunlyu. He solidified his father’s alliance with the Yakalmek, but still used them and the Ytze Kingdom to the north as excuses to maintain numerous professional troops, and to pay a ridiculously small tribute to the K’uhul Ajaw.
But Ak’nom Petaj had other plans. The various records, be it the monuments erected by the Nakabians to commemorate it or the codexes written after the war and lamenting it, seems to agree that on the 6.19.01.05, he refused to pay his tribute to the K’uhul Ajaw, proclaiming his independence. Despite major infighting inside the Paol’lunyu Dynasty, the K’uhul Ajaw managed to gather enough troops and allies to march on the Northern March.
6.19.2.12.14 (May 17, 370 BC), Nakabe and its dependencies and allies met the Mutul’s army on the field a few dozen of kilometers south of Nakabe. It will be a complete victory for the rebels, who managed to capture the K’uhul Ajaw, one of his general, and many of his elite warriors and soldiers of his personal guards. Ak’nom Petaj would erect two columns, one on the place of the battlefield and the other in Nakabe, to commemorate the event, showing clearly the K’uhul Ajaw being sacrified to the gods, as well as many other aristocrats knowing the same fate.


Not stoping there, The rebel Yajaw used the opportunity and the fractures in the royal clan to lay siege to Kaminyajunlyu, defeating one last attempt of the loyalists to push him back north. The siege was successful and the Nakabeians were able to sack and burn down the capital, bringing back in a long triumph the royal treasure and many other members of the royal clans and loyalists leaders to be sacrificed. 6.19.3.3.1 ,October 31, 370 BC, is noted to be on all the records of the time period and after, to be the date of the destruction of Kaminyajunlyu and by extension, the end of the Paol’lunyu Dynasty.
[[Ek Balam]] became the Nakabe Ajaw in 376 BC. 6 years later, he refused to pay his tribute to the [[Paol'lunyu Dynasty|K’uhul Ajaw]], proclaiming his independence. On May 17, 370 BC, Nakabe and [[Paol'lunyu Dynasty|Kaminyajunlyu]] fought in the battle of Xubih. It ended in the complete victory of the rebellious Ajawil, with the capture of the K'uhul Ajaw and of his generals. Monuments erected by victors in their capital city but also on the location of the battle clearly depict the sacrifice of the Divine Lord. Encouraged by this victory, the Nakabeians pushed into the Central Highlands and laid siege to Kaminyajunlyu. During a {{wp|Star war}}, they managed to overrun the Paol'lunyu capital, destroy its walls and monuments, loot the royal treasure, and sacrifice the remnants of the royal family. October 31, 370 BC is thus recorded as the end date of the [[Paol'lunyu Dynasty|First Dynasty]] of the [[Mutul]]. Following his surprising victory, [[Ek Balam]] proclaimed himself as the new [[Divine Monarchy of the Mutul|K'uhul Ajaw]], chosen by the gods.
 
The Ka are counted as the Second Dynasty in the history of the Mutul.


===The Three Dynasties===
===The Three Dynasties===


The news of Kaminyajunlyu fall spread quickly through the Mutul. Immediately, both Takalik Abak (Hunal Dynasty) and Izapak (Syhij Dynasty) declared themselves successors of the Paol’lunyu. Meanwhile, Oxwitik was unable to participate in the crisis because of the Lencas Revolt that will threaten the city’s existence.
Following the proclamation of the new dynasty, both [[Takalik]] and [[Izapak]] declared themselves independent states, also taking the title of [[Divine Monarchy of the Mutul|K'uhul Ajaw]] to make sure none could claim to be their superior. Meanwhile, [[Oxwitik]] was on the loosing side of a war against the {{wp|Lenca people}}, a war that would prove to be the demise of the Eastern Ajawil, and it didn't proclaim a new dynasty of its own. Only three dynasties thus competed either to control the others or to protect their sovereignty : the [[Nakabe|Ka]], [[Takalik|Hunal]], and [[Izapak|Syhij]] Dynasties, sometime called the Second, Third, and Fourth Divine Dynasties of the [[Mutul]] respectively.
 
The three dynasties will spend the next Tun (360 days) of their rule securing their borders and their network of vassals and dependencies. The Hunal Mutal took direct control over the Southern March and its ressources. It continued trades with the Syhij Mutal, whom had secured the most important farmlands of the region, and even supplied Oxwitik in food and weapons against the Lencas. The Hunal also sent multiple raids against the Highlands, to contest them from Nabak, or just to disturb Ka’s presence in the region.
 
Meanwhile, the Ka themselves continued their expansion. A second campaign in Tun 6.19.4 allowed them to take control of the jade pits and obsidians pits. Despite constant harassment from the Hunal Mutal, they were able to besiege Nojol Witz. However, it seems Ak’nom Petaj didn’t destroyed the city, and preferred to negociate the disbanding of all troops under Nojol Witz banner, plus the interdiction for the holy city’s elites to raise any soldier.
 
The first real counter-attack from Takalik Abak happened the following year, when the gathered troops of the Hunal Mutal marched on the Nek’ajal Highlands. It would prove to be successful, managing to plunder and destroy most of the Nakabe fortresses, but was unable to gain any foothold on the region.


This back-and-forth between Nakabe and Takalik Abak lead to a better organization of the military forces, and even the creation of permanent, professional units. These armies would generally be under the control of the K’uhul Ajawob themselves, of loyal friends, or close family members. They weren’t rewarded in lands but with a salary, paid in corn and clothes of cotton in the south, or in corn, obsidian, and various luxury goods in the north. Records of the salaries paid will be written to keep track of them, while the taxes collectors will know deep reforms to allow for an easier and faster perception of the taxes.
===Highlands Campaign===


One minor exception to this professionalisation of the armies was Izapak. Even if it counted on its population advantage for its defense, the rulers of the city prefered to lead armies of Chi’kinli mercenaries when on the offense. These tribes from the western mountains always had tenses relationship with their neighbors of the lowlands, but the maize and luxury goods, such as obsidian mirrors, was enough to make them temporary allies of the Syhij Dynasty. They would prove to be efficient against both Nakabe, winning important battles against them, and Takalik Abak too, once the alliance with the Hunal Dynasty was broked off. Consequences of this use of mercenaries was the “Mutlisation” of the Chi’kinli tribes, but also the loose in power of the Izapak warrior class, as they more and more reverted to become landlords and long-range merchants, despite the troubled times.
In 369 BC, the Ka Dynasty launched a second campaign, with the aim of securing the {{wp|jade}} and {{wp|obsidian}} mines of the Highlands still under the control of cities like [[Yaxkan]]. They managed to gain a few major battles and even to defeat [[Sakal Witz]], taking over most of its territories and forcing it to pay an annual tribute to the Ka.


===Hunal court plotting===
The [[Takalik|Hunal Dynasty]] answered positively to Yaxkan call for help and directly entered the war against Nakabe. They managed to lift the siege on Yaxkan and push back the Nakabeians, but neither side would be able to take the upper hand in the following years of conflict.


The first change in the statu quo that started to be installed between the three Mutals was the death of Yuknoom Chen, the K’uhul Ajaw of Takalik Abak, in 6.19.11.5.12. Inheriting the throne was the young Yoopat Hix. His young age and inexperience in political and diplomatic matters raised the concerns of his Court, to the point his uncle, Tajoom Ti’ Chan, and warmaster of the late K’uhul Ajaw, was seen as a viable option to replace him.
===War of the Northern Plateau===


In 6.19.9.15.7, Tajoom Ti’ Chan marched on Takalik Abak and deposed his nephew, with the help of the royal court. This changed the political map of the Mutals, as Izapak refused to recognize Tajoom Ti’ Chan as the legal successor of Yuknoom Chen, and called for the reinstallment of his son. A diplomatic back-and-forth followed, leading to the sacrifice of Yoopat Hix, and the end of the pact between the two cities.
While [[Takalik]] and [[Nakabe]] started to intermittently wage wars against each others for the control of the Central Highlands, a new front was opened in the Northern Plateau. This region has been hotly contested between [[Izapak]] and Nakabe, even prior to the latter's revolt. By annexing the Ajawil of [[Yux]], the Ka Dynasty changed the balance in the region and their K'uhul Ajaw felt confident enough to resume the war against [[Izapak]].  


The year that followed were not easy, as Tajoom Ti’ Chan, distrustful of the courtesans that put him in power, did his best to reduce their influence, and gave more power to the generals and the Army, loyal to him alone. Suspected traitors and plotters were sacrificed, while the dwindling trades with Izapak led to episodes of famines and popular revolts, plus the opening of a second front, dividing the forces of the city, and forcing them to abandon the positions they had taken in the Highlands back to Nakabe. However, Tajoom Ti’ Chan dictatorial policies allowed him to stay in power and to let his son, Tajoom Uk’ab, inherit the title of K’uhul Ajaw, even as the generals became predominant in all aspects of political life to the point of overshadowing the K’uhul Ajaw.
To resist, [[Izapak]] levied large armies, supplemented by Chi'kinli mercenaries, against the professional forces of Nakabe. It also reached out diplomaticaly to [[Takalik]], founding the "''Anti-Nakabe Coalition''" as it is called by the historians. All of these allowed Izapak to hold against Nakabe, even if it never managed to gain momentum and go on the offensive beyond a few raids launched by their Chik'inli allies that had no long-lasting effect.


Divisions became more and more apparent in the Hunal Mutal. New monuments or no longer built, except in a few instances, and historians can only guess the decisions made by the K’uhul Ajaw and his advisors during this period, but consequences as obvious as both Izapak and Nakabe multiply the construction of steles and monuments commemorating victories over Takalik Abak.
===Succession Crisis in Takalik===


Takalik Abak’s decay may also have been caused by the return of court plotting among the generals and their families, as some indications let’s us supposed Tajoom Uk’ab wasn’t succeeded by his son, but by one of his generals, himself overthrown by a rival. Double agents from Izapak and Nakabe also seems to have played a role in the politics of this period.
The [[Divine Monarchy of the Mutul|K'uhul Ajaw]] of [[Takalik]], [[Yuknoom Chen]], died in 362 BC. His underaged son, [[Yoopat Hix]], inherited the throne, but his young age led to the court believing he was not fit for a ruler just yet. The problem is that they also feared the consequences a regency would have on the ongoing conflict and they ended up looking for a more millitary and experience leader. They chose [[Tajoom Ti Chan]], brother and general of [[Yuknoom Chen]] and invited him to take the throne for himself.


On 7.0.4.6.12 (22 September 349 BC), Nakabe finally managed to tore down the walls of Takalik Abak and to plunder and destroy the city. Most of its generals, courtesans, and its K’uhul Ajaw, were captured and taken back to Nakabe to be sacrificed. Nakabe almost conquered back all of the past Mutul, and only Izapak continued its war against the Ka Dynasty. However, an unforeseen event would change drastically the balance of power : the Revolt of Yux.
The same year, Tajoom Ti Chan marched on [[Takalik]] and deposed his nephew. However Takalik's allies, like [[Izapak]] refused to recognize Tajoom Ti Chan and called for the reinstallment of [[Yoopat Hix]]. The diplomatic crisis cumulated with the sacrifice of the young deposed Ajaw by his uncle.


===The 5th Dynasty===
The years that followed were not easy, as Tajoom Ti Chan, distrustful of the courtesans that put him in power, did his best to reduce their influence, and gave more power to the military commanders, loyal to him alone. Dwindling trades with Izapak led to episodes of famines and popular revolts. Tajoom even led campaigns against Izapak to try and alleviate the situation by conquering new lands, to no avaiL. Tajoom Uk’ab succeeded his father, and the Takalikeses warlords took the opportunity of the transition to raise their own powers, to the point of becoming autonomous from the royal court, some of which even started to plot the establishment of their own Dynasties.


Despite the destruction of their main rival, Nakabe couldn’t maintain its hold over the old Southern March. Cities under Takalik Abak dominion, such as Hunjay, Kakawkab’, and Tazumal, refused to pay tribute to the Ka Dynasty, preferring to ask Izapak for protection. The defeat of the Nakabeians army in 7.0.5.10.9 definitively pushed the Ka Dynasty out of the southern march, but also to show that Nakabe’s march toward the conquest of all the Mutals was not yet won.
On September 22 349 BC, a successful {{wp|Star war}} led by Nakabe cumulated with the destruction of [[Takalik]]. The capture and sacrifice of most of the royal court and of the K'uhul Ajaw by the Nakabeians marked the end of the dwindling Hunal Dynasty.


However, the war that has been going for 20 years at the time, with almost a military campaign each year, and vassals of Nakabe had grown unruly as a result. One of these city in particular, Yux, built to keep control of the commercial road between the Mutals and the Olmecs cities. The city’s ruling class had many griefs against the Ka dynasty, mostly the growing competition of the Yakalmek, the nominal allies of Nakabe, who had been taking over most of the benefits of trades in the region, without concern from the K’uhul Ajaw who saw it as a way to buy their support. Slowly after the defeat of 7.0.5.10.9, the Yux Yajaw and the Izapak K’uhul Ajaw took contact and started to plot against Nakabe. Mural paintings and monuments of the period represent the Yux Yajaw Sachiaapo having a vision in public of Chaac, the god of rain and thunder, giving him a spear with the appearance of a snake. It seems he interpreted the event as a divine sign to start the revolt against Nakabe.
===Rebellion of Yux===
[[File:Yux Revolt.PNG|250px|thumb|The political situation in the [[Mutul]] following Yux's independence]]
Despite their victory the Ka Dynasty was unable to keep the Southern Hills under their control. Four years after the destruction of [[Takalik]], they had completely left the region which de-facto fell under [[Izapak]]'s control.


Another interpretation of the event is that Sachiaapo was famous for being an “holy man” even before his intronisation as a Yajaw, and prones to visions and important prophetic dreams. This and the description given of these transes give some historians the idea that he was an epileptic, and had an episode during the heavy storm that is reported to have hit Yux that day. These two events combined seems to have been enough to decide Sachiaapo to go to war against his master.
Meanwhile back in the north, some vassals of the Ka grew tired of the never ending warfare. the aristocracy of [[Yux]] notably was angered by the constant levies and taxes demanded by Nakabe for their wars in the south, while they left the Yakalmek Kingdom, their nominal ally, send raid expeditions against their vassals and trade roads that they couldn't defend, being too busy elsewhere.  


The princes of Yux proclaimed that the Ajaw of Nakabe was an imposter, and that Chaac was “no longer their bodies, no longer their blood, no longer their shadow”. Sachiaapo also declared that his visions and his bloodties with the Ka and Paol’lunyu Dynasties meant that Chaac had “chosen” his house to be the next one in which he will incarnate.
After the abandon of the Southern Hills, the Yux Yajaw and the [[Izapak|Synhij]] K’uhul Ajaw secretly contacted one another and started to plot against Nakabe.


Yax position at the start of the war was less than good, with the Yakalmek to the north and the Ka Mutal to the east. The first campaigns of Sachiaapo were against their northern rivals, inflicting minor defeat to the Yak Ajaw, and managing to take some hold over the disputed roads. The armies of Nakabe will be able to plunder and destroy most of Yux’s lands, but couldn’t break the city’s defenses and were forced to abandon the siege. Most of the damages done to Yux food supplies proved to be not enough, as Izapak was able to supply the revolted city. A support that was in fact beneficial to Izapak, as they could once again trade with the Olmecs.
[[Iztam K'an Ahk]], Ajaw of Yux, was considered to be an oracle even beyond the borders of his kingdom. Possibly an epileptic, he reported to have a vision of Chaak decapitating a sky-snake over his head. He interpreted the dream as a sign that {{wp|Chac|Chaak}} had abandoned the Ka Dynasty and chosen his family to be the next vessels of the Blood of Chaak. He then proclaimed himself to be a K'uhul Ajaw and independent from Nakabe.


Strong of these relative success, with the development of economic ties between the two Mutals, the possibility of an alliance is in open discussion. During the 7.0.8 Tun, the treaty was signed, even if it was de facto in place since a few years. To conclude the treaty, Sachiaapo marry one of the Izapak K’uhul Ajaw’s daughters, which will give birth in 7.0.10 of an inheritor : Wabak’el Chaac.
The rebellion had mixed results : it received help and support from [[Izapak]], which allowed the Ajawil to survive Nakabe's {{wp|punitive expedition}} despite the immense damages provoked by the plunders. [[Itzam K'an Ahk]] also managed to defeat the Yakalmek Ajaw in battle. Thus, their military successes, the Ka Dynasty couldn't conquer back the rebelling city and the punitive expeditions proved to be fruitless. The rebellion of Yux was a turning point in the conflict, marking the moment Nakabe began to loose its proeminence over the war-torn [[Paol'lunyu Dynasty|Paol'lunyu Mutul]].


===Last years===
===Izapak Succession Crisis===


In 7.0.18.5.13, the K’uhul Ajaw of Izapak died of illness, and his son, Chak Tok Ich'aak, took the throne. He would continue the politic of his father, and maintain the alliance with Yux against the Nakabe, while securing the loyalty of the Southern city-states.
On March 11 332 BC, [[Chak Tok Ich’aak]], K'uhul Ajaw of the [[Izapak|Synhij Dynasty]], died without heir. A succession crisis began, but [[Itzam K'an Ahk]], with the support of the Izapakese court, managed to secure the throne for [[Chak Tok Ich'aak]]'s eldest cousin, Lady [[Ek Janab]]. She then married Itzam K'an Ahk's son, [[Wabak'el Chaan]], solidifying the alliance between the two kingdoms.


The battles changed of locations during that second half of the Civil War. From happening around a North-South axis, mostly in the Highlands and around Takalik Abak. With the betrayal of Yux, the military campaigns took place mostly in the Northern March, on a East (Nakabe)-West(Yux) axis, and with more and more “barbarians” kingdoms or chieftains (Yakalmek, K’ol, Chik’in, Ytze..) joining as allies or mercenaries.
The rest of [[Itzam K'an Ahk]]'s reign was spent trying to consolidate his family's rule over both Yux and [[Izapak]], while also pushing back the many attempts of the [[Ka Dynasty]] to profit from this period of confusion to conquer more lands. In 327 BC, a {{wp|Star war}} started by Itzam K'an Ahk managed to reclaim [[Sakal Witz]] from Nakabe, an important symbolic victory that would conclude his reign as the K'uhul Ajaw of Yux would die soon after. With the help of veterans warlords and generals from both Yux and Izapak, Wabak’el Chaan continued what his father started.


At the battle of Kuhua’leno (LC : 7.1.1.1.7), Chak Tok Ich’aak died. Still young, he had no designed inheritor. While he had uncles and cousins longing for the throne of Izapak, the vast majority of the city’s aristocrats, with the help of the army, refused to recognize them and invited Sachiaapo to become the K’uhul Ajaw of Izapak. Sachiaapo agreed, organized the ritual sacrifices of the other pretenders, and returned to the war with Nakabe, now ruling both the west and the south of the old Mutul. This event is generally considered the end of the Syhij Dynasty.
===Last Years===


Conflict continued between Nakabe and Yux. Despite having to consolidate his rule on the Western and Southern Marches, Sachiaapo was able to contain the Ka Dynasty and fix the frontline 250 km to the east of Yux, and fought back two attempts by the Nakabeians to overrun the southern march. The last great campaign done by Sachiaapo in 7.1.5 was the siege and liberation of Nojol Witz. The commemoration of this event is the last stele erected in Yux, before the death of the K’uhul Ajaw.
Following the conquest of [[Sakal Witz]], the Yux-Izapak faction encouraged other cities of the Highlands to rebel against Nakabe. Many did, assured that the "Divine Couple" would support them militarily, which they did. It would take 10 years for Yux-Izapak to definitively take control of the Central Highlands, but they ultimately did it.


In 7.1.6.1.0, Wabak’el Chaan became the co-ruler of Yux and Izapak. It seems he was crowned in Izapak, but continued to rule from Yux and left most of the day-to-day gestion of the Mutal to his court, while he lead the multiple military campaigns against Nakabe.
Nakabe, left greatly weakened by this decade of warfare, was at the mercy of an attack from its rival, which came in 315 in the form of a {{wp|Star war}} led by [[Wabak'el Chaan]] himself. They captured the last K'uhul Ajaw of the Ka Dynasty, his direct family, and his court, and sacrificed them. Nakabe itself was destroyed and its population deported elsewhere.


Despite his young age, and with the help of a Ch’ob of veterans warlords and generals, Wabak’el managed to continue what his father started : securing Nojol Witz, and taking over the Chexo Valley, where lied the ruins of Kaminyajunlyu. From there, the rest of the Highlands followed, as proven by the fact Wabak’el Chaan was able to nominate a civil governor to Yaxh’an. Meanwhile, to the west, a successful campaign managed to definitively cut Nakabe from their Yakalmex allies. Their sources of revenues lost, their reserves in manpower depleted, the Ka Dynasty had completely lost the initiative.
Yux and [[Izapak]] remained in a co-dominion for the rest of their respective monarchs' rule. [[Wabak'el Chaan]] took the opportunity to finish the last allies of Nakabe, such as the [[Yakalmek Kingdom]] and the [[K'ol]]. One of its last great campaign was against the {{wp|Lenca people|Lencas}} in the east, retaking the old city of [[Ox Witik]] from them and re-establishing it as a {{wp|Ajaw|Yajawil}} led by one of his sons.


In LC 7.1.11.0.5, Wabak’el Chaan started what would be the final campaign against Nakabe. Two armies, one from the west led by his uncle, and another from the south led by himself, attacked the Northern Mutal. After a serie of skirmishes and small battles, the two armies joined under the walls of Nakabe. Despite an attempt by a K’ol army to help the besieged city that was defeated, Nakabe would finally fall in 7.1.11.18.1. Most of the city’s aristocracy and the Ka Dynasty above all. They were shown in the city of Yux during a trumph, along with the stolen treasures of Nakabe, and then sacrificed.
In 300 BC, [[Wabak'el Chaan]] died and his son [[Yax Chaan Ahk]] succeeded him on the throne of Yux. The same year, his mother abdicated in his favor. He then proclaimed the start of a new Dynasty : the [[Chaan Dynasty]], which is where the [[Mutul|Mutuleses chronicles]] place traditionaly the end of this period of division.


Lone claimant to the title of K’uhul Ajaw still alive, Wabak’el spent the following two years fighting the last remnants of the Nakabeians, and retaking Oxwitik from the Lencas Kingdoms. Once all the borders of the Mutul secured, he gathered all the Yajawob and vassals in Nojol Witz, where he will be officially be crowned K’uhul Ajaw in LC 7.1.13.4.11, a date generally remembered by Mutulese historians as the official end of the Nakabe Civil War. It is also during that ceremony that Wabak’el Chaan would declare the creation of a new Dynasty : the Chaan Dynasty
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[[Category:Ajax]]
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Latest revision as of 07:15, 1 June 2021

Administrative and political division of the First Mutul before the Revolt, with the name of the main Ajawils indicated as well as their factions

The Nakabe Revolt, also known as the Nakabe Civil War, is an event in Mutulese history that lasted from 370 BC to 300 BC and saw the end of the Paol'lunyu Dynasty as well as the destruction of Kaminyajunlyu. It ended with the defeat of the Ka Dynasty of Nakabe, and the establishment of a new Mutul : the Chaan Dynasty.

The consequences of the Nakabe revolt are numerous, as more than any other events before, it forced to define the role and the powers of the K’uhul Ajaw, and forced the centralization of the various competing Mutals' administrations and military.

Modern historians tend to consider the Nakabe Revolt as the true “birth” of the modern concept of Divine Monarchy, and the Chaan Dynasty that followed as the true start of the Mutul as we know it.

Sources

Informations on the events of the revolt and the civil war that followed are rare and heavily influenced by the propaganda of the winning Chaan Dynasty. The main sources of informations are the records of Sakal Witz and its priesthood, and the many stelae and other monuments erected by the various competing Mutals to commemorate their victories and accomplishments.

Context

A stelae from Kaminyajunlyu

By the start of the 4th century BC, the Paol’lunyu Dynasty had lost much of its powers. They only controlled a relatively small strip of land between Kaminyajulyu and Sakal Witz, but the Marches of their Mutul were out of their jurisdiction, as local aristocratic families had taken or retaken their hold on the borderlands and, by extension, on the military.

The Yajawil of Nakabe had been established around 680 BC (Long Count: 6.3.8.4.13) to serve as the Northern March of the Mutul, protecting the wealthy valleys of the Highlands against K’olti or Yakalmek raids. The charge of this new colony was left to the House of Kamat'e. Nakabe grew to become a successful Ajawil and one that quickly became an important player in the political spheres of the Extensive Period. they subjugated the K'ol kingdoms and tribes and obtained tributes from them, while also striking a secret alliance with the Yakalmek Kingdom, allowing the city to develop its economy.

During the Extensive Period, Nakabe wasn’t the only Ajawil acting autonomously from Kaminyajunlyu : Oxwitik, Izapak, and Takalik, had all obtained a great level of independence from the central crown and were now all in competitions against one another, seeking an even greater autonomy and more wealth.

Events

Start of the Revolt

Ek Balam became the Nakabe Ajaw in 376 BC. 6 years later, he refused to pay his tribute to the K’uhul Ajaw, proclaiming his independence. On May 17, 370 BC, Nakabe and Kaminyajunlyu fought in the battle of Xubih. It ended in the complete victory of the rebellious Ajawil, with the capture of the K'uhul Ajaw and of his generals. Monuments erected by victors in their capital city but also on the location of the battle clearly depict the sacrifice of the Divine Lord. Encouraged by this victory, the Nakabeians pushed into the Central Highlands and laid siege to Kaminyajunlyu. During a Star war, they managed to overrun the Paol'lunyu capital, destroy its walls and monuments, loot the royal treasure, and sacrifice the remnants of the royal family. October 31, 370 BC is thus recorded as the end date of the First Dynasty of the Mutul. Following his surprising victory, Ek Balam proclaimed himself as the new K'uhul Ajaw, chosen by the gods.

The Three Dynasties

Following the proclamation of the new dynasty, both Takalik and Izapak declared themselves independent states, also taking the title of K'uhul Ajaw to make sure none could claim to be their superior. Meanwhile, Oxwitik was on the loosing side of a war against the Lenca people, a war that would prove to be the demise of the Eastern Ajawil, and it didn't proclaim a new dynasty of its own. Only three dynasties thus competed either to control the others or to protect their sovereignty : the Ka, Hunal, and Syhij Dynasties, sometime called the Second, Third, and Fourth Divine Dynasties of the Mutul respectively.

Highlands Campaign

In 369 BC, the Ka Dynasty launched a second campaign, with the aim of securing the jade and obsidian mines of the Highlands still under the control of cities like Yaxkan. They managed to gain a few major battles and even to defeat Sakal Witz, taking over most of its territories and forcing it to pay an annual tribute to the Ka.

The Hunal Dynasty answered positively to Yaxkan call for help and directly entered the war against Nakabe. They managed to lift the siege on Yaxkan and push back the Nakabeians, but neither side would be able to take the upper hand in the following years of conflict.

War of the Northern Plateau

While Takalik and Nakabe started to intermittently wage wars against each others for the control of the Central Highlands, a new front was opened in the Northern Plateau. This region has been hotly contested between Izapak and Nakabe, even prior to the latter's revolt. By annexing the Ajawil of Yux, the Ka Dynasty changed the balance in the region and their K'uhul Ajaw felt confident enough to resume the war against Izapak.

To resist, Izapak levied large armies, supplemented by Chi'kinli mercenaries, against the professional forces of Nakabe. It also reached out diplomaticaly to Takalik, founding the "Anti-Nakabe Coalition" as it is called by the historians. All of these allowed Izapak to hold against Nakabe, even if it never managed to gain momentum and go on the offensive beyond a few raids launched by their Chik'inli allies that had no long-lasting effect.

Succession Crisis in Takalik

The K'uhul Ajaw of Takalik, Yuknoom Chen, died in 362 BC. His underaged son, Yoopat Hix, inherited the throne, but his young age led to the court believing he was not fit for a ruler just yet. The problem is that they also feared the consequences a regency would have on the ongoing conflict and they ended up looking for a more millitary and experience leader. They chose Tajoom Ti Chan, brother and general of Yuknoom Chen and invited him to take the throne for himself.

The same year, Tajoom Ti Chan marched on Takalik and deposed his nephew. However Takalik's allies, like Izapak refused to recognize Tajoom Ti Chan and called for the reinstallment of Yoopat Hix. The diplomatic crisis cumulated with the sacrifice of the young deposed Ajaw by his uncle.

The years that followed were not easy, as Tajoom Ti Chan, distrustful of the courtesans that put him in power, did his best to reduce their influence, and gave more power to the military commanders, loyal to him alone. Dwindling trades with Izapak led to episodes of famines and popular revolts. Tajoom even led campaigns against Izapak to try and alleviate the situation by conquering new lands, to no avaiL. Tajoom Uk’ab succeeded his father, and the Takalikeses warlords took the opportunity of the transition to raise their own powers, to the point of becoming autonomous from the royal court, some of which even started to plot the establishment of their own Dynasties.

On September 22 349 BC, a successful Star war led by Nakabe cumulated with the destruction of Takalik. The capture and sacrifice of most of the royal court and of the K'uhul Ajaw by the Nakabeians marked the end of the dwindling Hunal Dynasty.

Rebellion of Yux

The political situation in the Mutul following Yux's independence

Despite their victory the Ka Dynasty was unable to keep the Southern Hills under their control. Four years after the destruction of Takalik, they had completely left the region which de-facto fell under Izapak's control.

Meanwhile back in the north, some vassals of the Ka grew tired of the never ending warfare. the aristocracy of Yux notably was angered by the constant levies and taxes demanded by Nakabe for their wars in the south, while they left the Yakalmek Kingdom, their nominal ally, send raid expeditions against their vassals and trade roads that they couldn't defend, being too busy elsewhere.

After the abandon of the Southern Hills, the Yux Yajaw and the Synhij K’uhul Ajaw secretly contacted one another and started to plot against Nakabe.

Iztam K'an Ahk, Ajaw of Yux, was considered to be an oracle even beyond the borders of his kingdom. Possibly an epileptic, he reported to have a vision of Chaak decapitating a sky-snake over his head. He interpreted the dream as a sign that Chaak had abandoned the Ka Dynasty and chosen his family to be the next vessels of the Blood of Chaak. He then proclaimed himself to be a K'uhul Ajaw and independent from Nakabe.

The rebellion had mixed results : it received help and support from Izapak, which allowed the Ajawil to survive Nakabe's punitive expedition despite the immense damages provoked by the plunders. Itzam K'an Ahk also managed to defeat the Yakalmek Ajaw in battle. Thus, their military successes, the Ka Dynasty couldn't conquer back the rebelling city and the punitive expeditions proved to be fruitless. The rebellion of Yux was a turning point in the conflict, marking the moment Nakabe began to loose its proeminence over the war-torn Paol'lunyu Mutul.

Izapak Succession Crisis

On March 11 332 BC, Chak Tok Ich’aak, K'uhul Ajaw of the Synhij Dynasty, died without heir. A succession crisis began, but Itzam K'an Ahk, with the support of the Izapakese court, managed to secure the throne for Chak Tok Ich'aak's eldest cousin, Lady Ek Janab. She then married Itzam K'an Ahk's son, Wabak'el Chaan, solidifying the alliance between the two kingdoms.

The rest of Itzam K'an Ahk's reign was spent trying to consolidate his family's rule over both Yux and Izapak, while also pushing back the many attempts of the Ka Dynasty to profit from this period of confusion to conquer more lands. In 327 BC, a Star war started by Itzam K'an Ahk managed to reclaim Sakal Witz from Nakabe, an important symbolic victory that would conclude his reign as the K'uhul Ajaw of Yux would die soon after. With the help of veterans warlords and generals from both Yux and Izapak, Wabak’el Chaan continued what his father started.

Last Years

Following the conquest of Sakal Witz, the Yux-Izapak faction encouraged other cities of the Highlands to rebel against Nakabe. Many did, assured that the "Divine Couple" would support them militarily, which they did. It would take 10 years for Yux-Izapak to definitively take control of the Central Highlands, but they ultimately did it.

Nakabe, left greatly weakened by this decade of warfare, was at the mercy of an attack from its rival, which came in 315 in the form of a Star war led by Wabak'el Chaan himself. They captured the last K'uhul Ajaw of the Ka Dynasty, his direct family, and his court, and sacrificed them. Nakabe itself was destroyed and its population deported elsewhere.

Yux and Izapak remained in a co-dominion for the rest of their respective monarchs' rule. Wabak'el Chaan took the opportunity to finish the last allies of Nakabe, such as the Yakalmek Kingdom and the K'ol. One of its last great campaign was against the Lencas in the east, retaking the old city of Ox Witik from them and re-establishing it as a Yajawil led by one of his sons.

In 300 BC, Wabak'el Chaan died and his son Yax Chaan Ahk succeeded him on the throne of Yux. The same year, his mother abdicated in his favor. He then proclaimed the start of a new Dynasty : the Chaan Dynasty, which is where the Mutuleses chronicles place traditionaly the end of this period of division.

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