Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan Yopaat (previously known variously as Cauac Sky, Kawak Sky, Butsʼ Tiliw and Butzʼ Tiʼliw), was the leader of the ancient Maya city-state of Quiriguá.
Reign Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan Yopaat ruled the city from 724 to 785 AD. The most significant event of his reign—and of Quiriguá's history—occurred in AD 738 (9.15.6.14.6 on the Mayan calendar), when his forces defeated the city of Copán. The ruler of Copán, Uaxaclajuun Ubʼaah Kʼawiil (formerly known as "18 Rabbit") was captured and later beheaded.Looper 2003, p.76. It began when, in 734, on Altar M at Quirigua, Kʼak Tiliw Chan Yopaat gives himself the title kʼuhul ajaw, thus declaring Quirigua's independence from Copan.Sharer 2006. To formally declare his sovereignty, he received the K'awiil sceptre to signify his accession.Riese 1986.Le Fort 1994:19Wright, M. A. (2011). A Study of Classic Maya Rulership (Doctoral dissertation, University of California, Riverside). https://escholarship.org/content/qt6pb5g8h2/qt6pb5g8h2_noSplash_acc079cd1ba843db7f2864c60cbcdf73.pdf
Before Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan Yopaat's bold move, Quiriguá had been a vassal of Copán.Looper 2003, p.79. The defeat of Copán led to its decline but heralded a golden age for its former dependent. For the next 38 years, stonecutters of Quiriguá created zoomorphs and stele celebrating their legendary king.
His monuments are significant as their discovery by Frederick Catherwood and John Lloyd Stephens in 1840 contributed to dispelling the European misconception that pre-columbian Indigenous populations were less advanced, showcasing their ability to create monumental and highly sophisticated civilizations. His monumental achievements include the towering Stele E, carved from a single stone. It is known as the tallest stele in the Maya world, stretching 35 feet (10.7 metres high).
Quiriguá became a fully autonomous city which controlled the main trade route from the Caribbean to the Maya world. Meanwhile, this incident was followed by a 20-year hiatus in inscriptions at Copán, as well as the disappearance of any further mention of 18 Rabbit.
Death Current evidence leads to the conclusion that Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan Yopaat died in 785 AD. There remains a stone at Quiriguá, now identified as Zoomorph G, which seems to have served as his funeral marker.Martin & Grube 2000, p.222.
Succession Two other rulers are known to have reigned at Quiriguá in ensuing years—Sky Xul and Jade Sky—each for about ten years.Martin & Grube 2000, p. 218.
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