Wonder Woman of the Week: Wak Chanil Ajaw
This week's Wonder Woman comes from feudal Guatemala during the Classical Era for the Maya. Wak Chanil Ajaw (which translates to Lady Six Sky) was one of a few known women rulers among the Pre-Spanish Maya in what is today Central America. Wak Chanil Ajaw was Maya queen of the city-state of Naranjo in the late 7th and early 8th Centuries as the head of a new dynasty for the region. Wak Chanil Ajaw entered into an arranged marriage to join the city-states of Naranjo and Dos Pilas to cement an alliance between Naranjo and Calakmul- a powerful city-state at the time. There seems to have been a shaky start to the marriage however, as instead of joining Calakmul's growing confederation, Naranjo beseiged and conquered the Calakmul-allied city-state of Caracol.
Little is known about Wak Chanil Ajaw's role in the conflict, but a relief depicts the queen in the equipment of a warrior above conquered opponents suggesting she may have led soldiers into battle. What is known is that Wak Chanil Ajaw played a major religious role in her city-state as a major factor in calendrical rituals. History howver for a long time forgot this powerful theocratic warrior queen- until now. Recently, the famously popular historical video game series Civilization announced Wak Chanil Ajaw herself would be a playable leader in their Civilization VI game as the leader of the Maya faction in the game.
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