Star War: Fall of Tikal to Calakmul
562 CE
Calakmul (Snake Kingdom) and Caracol crush Tikal, inaugurating the great Tikal dynastic hiatus.
Historical Context
In the 6th century, rivalry between Tikal (Mutal Kingdom) and Calakmul (Kaanuul / Snake Kingdom) split the Maya world into two opposing military alliance networks.
The Event
In 562 CE, Calakmul, led by the Snake king and allied with Caracol, launched a 'Star War' (attack coordinated with Venus alignments) against Tikal. Tikal was sacked and its king Wak Chan K'awiil sacrificed.
Key Figures
Wak Chan K'awiil (Defeated King of Tikal), Sky Witness (King of Calakmul), Yajaw Te' K'inich II (King of Caracol).
Aftermath
Tikal entered a 130-year dynastic hiatus (not a single stela erected). Calakmul established near-absolute hegemony over the central lowlands.
Legacy & Culture
The concept of 'Star War' illustrates the intimate link between Maya ritual astronomy and devastating battlefield strategy.
Historiography
The discovery of Caracol Altar 21 revealed the true military cause of Tikal's long stela hiatus, previously misattributed to climate collapse.
Sources and References
Simon Martin, Ancient Maya Civilization
Semantic cluster
Maya civilization clusterPreclassic to Postclassic: Tikal, Calakmul, Palenque, calendar and collapses.
Cluster internal links
- Previous (cluster)
The Arrival of Strangers at Tikal (Siyaj K'ak')
378
- Next (cluster)
Enthronement of K'inich Janaab' Pakal I at Palenque
615
- Same cluster
Accession of Yuknoom Ch'een II (Yuknoom the Great)
636
- Same cluster
Jasaw Chan K'awiil I's Victory over Calakmul
695
- Same cluster
Capture and Execution of King 18-Rabbit of Copan
738
- Same cluster
Tikal Stela 29 (Start of Classic Maya Period)
292
- Semantic bridge
Official Invention of Paper-Making Process by Cai Lun
105
- Semantic bridge
First Official Paper Money (Jiaozi)
1024
- Semantic bridge
Universal Standardization of Script, Currency, Weights, and Measures
220 BCE