Pakal the Great: Palenque's Star King and the Longest Reign
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This episode dives into the life and legacy of K'inich Janaab' Pakal, the 7th-century ruler of Palenque who reigned for 68 years—the longest in Maya history. We explore his rise to power at age 12, his ambitious building program including the Temple of the Inscriptions, and the discovery of his lavish tomb by Alberto Ruz Lhuillier in 1952. Lucas and Luna discuss the dynastic struggle at Palenque before Pakal, his mother Sak K'uk's role as regent, and how Pakal transformed a weakened city into a major power. We also touch on the controversies around Pakal's supposed sarcophagus lid depicting a 'spaceman' (it doesn't), and the enduring mystery of his tomb's preservation. The conversation highlights how archaeology and epigraphy together revealed Pakal's story, and what his reign tells us about Classic Maya politics, art, and religion.
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