First Tikal-Calakmul War

The Tikal-Calakmul Wars refer to a series of wars between Tikal and Calakmul, the First Tikal-Calakmul War being the first of these wars. During this and following conflicts in Petén vassal states like Naranjo and Dos Pilas were often used. Though Yaxchilan was in the war it only had a minor presence at the beginning.

Yaxchilan and Calakmul
In 537 the Ajaws of Bonampak, Lakamtuun, and Calakmul (Calakmul) were captured by Yaxchilan. Bonampak and Lakamtuun remained under the control of Yaxchilan but in retaliation Calakmul conquered the latter. This gave the polity a strategic position with territory in boath the east and the west of Tikal. Even though it had only about 50,000 people almost half of the population of Tikal which had almost half a million people, Calakmul was one of the most prosperous Maya cities. The entire population of the Calakmul kingdom was about 200,000.

All out war
By 546 (9.5.11.11.18 on the Maya calendar) Naranjo had been conquered by Calakmul,during this time Aj Wosal was appointed ruler of Naranjo. In 561 (9.6.6.15.17) the ruler known as Sky Witness was coronated at Los Alcranes. His reign began the Kaan dynasty in Calakmul. Sky Witness played a major roll in the politics of the Maya. He forged an alliance with Caracol, which had previously been a major ally of Tikal. In 562 (9.6.7.16.2) Wak Chan K’awiil, Ajaw of Tikal, was captured and sacrificed by soldiers from Caracol during a raid directly into the city of Tikal. His death ended the reign of his dynasty in Tikal. In 564 (9.6.9.16.12) troops from Tikal had a victory in Caracol, but it was short lived. In 572 (9.6.18.0.14) the yearSky Witness died Tikal was defeated.

Aftermath
The political and economic implications of defeat by Calakmul had a major impact on Tikal. South of Tikal city but still in the kingdom was Mutul, Mutul actually prospered slightly from the war. Tikal remained one of the most powerful cities in Peten, even in the world, but having lost much of its importance power partially transferred to Mutul. In 695 (9.13.2.14.19) 123 years later Tikal would turn the tables in Calakmul.