Tikal–Calakmul wars
"Cold War"
"Cold War"
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The phrase cold war has been used to describe the time between major conflicts involving Calakmul and Tikal. During these times there was continuous war but no major battles or political changes took place. There were of course minor border skirmishes.

As Tikal gradually regained strength, its local, smaller rivals such as El Zotz declined. In 629, Tikal's king [K'ihnich Muwahn Jol II](/wiki/K%27ihnich_Muwahn_Jol_II "K'ihnich Muwahn Jol II") sent his son [B'alaj Chan K'awiil](/wiki/B%27alaj_Chan_K%27awiil "B'alaj Chan K'awiil") to [Dos Pilas](/wiki/Dos_Pilas "Dos Pilas") where he established a military outpost to defend Tikal's wider zone of control. At first, B'alaj Chan K'awiil maintained loyalty to Tikal, and as time went on fighting erupted once more between Tikal and Calakmul. The latter gradually gained the upper hand, and Dos Pilas was eventually overrun by Calakmul after years of heavy combat. B'alaj Chan K'awiil initially fled into exile, but then opted to switch sides in 648\.


Who eventually gained the upper hand in fighting between Tikal and Calakmul?