Chak Tok Ich'aak I

Chak Tok Ich'aak I also known as Great Paw, Great Jaguar Paw, and Toh Chak Ich'ak (died January 15, 378) was an ajaw of the Maya city of Tikal. He took the throne on August 7, 360? and reigned until his death in 378, apparently at the hands of invaders from central Mexico.

Born to K'inich Muwaan Jol and Lady Bahlam Way, Chak Tok Ich'aak I is one of Tikal's best known kings. His name is recorded on a number of ceramic pieces and stelae. Stela 39, which was discovered by archaeologists in the Mundo Perdido complex, was produced to commemorate the K'atun ending in 376. It depicts the king standing upon a bound captive while holding an ax decorated with jaguar markings that was probably used as either a weapon or an instrument of sacrifice.

His name also appears on the fragmentary Stela 26 from Tikal's North Acropolis, which he may have dedicated. Both stelae were deliberately smashed soon after being dedicated. Another stela from the distant site of El Temblor may have been created to mark his accession to power, but it is possible that it may instead have been dedicated to a namesake.

His palace was located in the Central Acropolis and was identified from a carved clay vessel which had been interred under the western staircase as part of a dedication ritual. Unusually, it was never built over by later rulers, and was kept in repair for centuries as an apparently revered monument.

Stela 31 from Tikal records that Chak Tok Ich'aak I died on the same day that Siyaj K'ak', probably a war-leader from Teotihuacan, entered Tikal. The arrival of Siyaj K'ak' probably represented a forcible takeover, perhaps a conquest, which resulted in the death of Chak Tok Ich'aak I. The dead ruler's entire lineage was overthrown and a new line of rulers took power in their place, starting with Yax Nuun Ahiin I.