How a tiny vassal state shattered the power of a mighty Maya kingdom
In short: Archaeologist Ricardo Agurcia Fasquelle explores the 738 CE defeat of Copan by its smaller neighbor, Quirigua. This lecture challenges the romanticized view of the Classic Maya as a peaceful civilization, revealing a history of major conflicts that reshaped the Maya heartland.
For much of the Classic period, spanning roughly 250 to 900 CE, scholars often characterized the ancient Maya as a society defined by peace rather than warfare. However, new evidence has dismantled this perspective, highlighting a reality of intense, widespread conflict across the region.
The kingdom of Copan had largely avoided these wars until 738 CE, when it suffered a dramatic defeat at the hands of Quirigua, a significantly smaller vassal state. This event serves as a pivotal example of the warfare that ravaged the Maya homeland during this era.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Great Battles: A Tale of Two City States: Quirigua's Victory over Copan in 738 CE
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