The Power Center for the Copán Kings

Abstract

The Acropolis of Copan represented the center of power for the kings of this Classic maya community, the locus of daily activities, special events and place of final rest. The anchor of political and religious power during four centuries; the Acropolis preserves the dynamic history of royal power expression executed by the elite. Its architecture reflects the use of monumentality and regal imagery to set the elite apart from the common population both physically and metaphorically. Central to the community’s landscape, the Acropolis combined public manifestations with exclusive enclosures for the royal family and the palatial activities. The evolution of the Acropolis, and the remains associated with royalty and their lives, tell us a story in terms of affirmation of royal power and the constant effort to reinforce it within the reign.