First Tikal–Calakmul War facts for kids

Quick facts for kids First Tikal–Calakmul War
Part of Tikal–Calakmul wars
Vase showing a battle scene between tikal and Calakmul
Date 537–572 Location Northern Guatemala and Belize Result Calakmul victory Territorial changes Calakmul conquers Yaxchilan and Naranjo
Belligerents
Tikal Naranjo	Calakmul Caracol Bonampak Lakantuum	Yaxchilan
Commanders and leaders
Wak Chan K’awiil †	Tuun K'ab' Hix Sky Witness	K'inich Tatb'u Skull II Knot-eye Jaguar II

The Tikal–Calakmul wars were a series of big conflicts between two powerful ancient Maya cities: Tikal and Calakmul. The First Tikal–Calakmul War was the first of these important wars. During this war, and others that followed, smaller cities known as vassal states often got involved. These were cities like Naranjo and Dos Pilas in the Petén region, which were controlled by the bigger cities. The city of Yaxchilan also played a small part at the beginning of this war.

The Start of the Conflict: Yaxchilan and Calakmul

An alley in Yaxchilan

The war began with events involving Yaxchilan. In the year 537, the rulers (called Ajaws) of Bonampak, Lakamtuun, and Calakmul were captured by Yaxchilan. Bonampak and Lakamtuun stayed under Yaxchilan's control.

However, Calakmul fought back and conquered Lakamtuun. This victory gave Calakmul a very important position. It now had land both to the east and west of its rival, Tikal. This made Calakmul a strong force in the region.

The War Begins: All-Out Battles

Calakmul's Growing Power

By 546, the city of Naranjo had been taken over by Calakmul. During this time, a new ruler named Aj Wosal was put in charge of Naranjo by Calakmul.

In 561, a powerful new ruler known as Sky Witness was crowned in a place called Los Alcranes. His rule marked the beginning of the Kaan dynasty in Calakmul, which became very influential.

Sky Witness was a key player in the politics of the Maya world. He formed a strong alliance with Caracol. This was a big deal because Caracol had previously been a major ally of Tikal.

Tikal's Defeat

In 562, a major event happened. Wak Chan K’awiil, who was the ruler of Tikal, was captured. He was defeated and killed by soldiers from Caracol during a surprise attack directly on the city of Tikal. His death brought an end to his family's rule in Tikal.

Two years later, in 564, Tikal's troops managed to win a battle in Caracol. But this victory did not last long.

Tuun K'ab' Hix was a ruler of Calakmul before Sky Witness

The war continued, and in 572, the same year Sky Witness died, Tikal was defeated again. This marked a major victory for Calakmul.

What Happened After the War

Tikal, the Temple of the Great Jaguar with the palace behind it

The defeat by Calakmul had a huge impact on Tikal. It affected Tikal's political power and its economy. Even though Tikal lost much of its importance, it still remained one of the most powerful cities in the Petén region.

Interestingly, a city south of Tikal called Mutul actually did a bit better after the war. Some of Tikal's power shifted to Mutul.

The rivalry between Tikal and Calakmul didn't end here. Many years later, in 695, Tikal would get its revenge and defeat Calakmul in another major conflict.