On This Day

Maya city of Dos Pilas attacks and conquers the larger and older city of Seibal

Dos Pilas is a Pre-Columbian site of the Maya civilization located in what is now the department of Petén, Guatemala.

Dos Pilas is a Pre-Columbian site of the Maya civilization located in what is now the department of Petén, Guatemala. It dates to the Late Classic Period, and was founded by an offshoot of the dynasty of the great city of Tikal in AD 629 in order to control trade routes in the Petexbatún region, particularly the Pasión River. In AD 648 Dos Pilas broke away from Tikal and became a vassal state of Calakmul, although the first two kings of Dos Pilas continued to use the same emblem glyph that Tikal did. It was a predator state from the beginning, conquering Itzan, Arroyo de Piedra and Tamarindito. Dos Pilas and a nearby city, Aguateca, eventually became the twin capitals of a single ruling dynasty.

Historical Significance

Dos Pilas is a Pre-Columbian site of the Maya civilization located in what is now the department of Petén, Guatemala.

Events Before

  1. Maya official Ajpach’ Waal pays an important diplomatic visit to Waxaklajuun Ub’aah K’awiil (18 Rabbit), 13th king of Co

    Maya official Ajpach’ Waal pays an important diplomatic visit to Waxaklajuun Ub’aah K’awiil (18 Rabbit), 13th king of Copán (modern Honduras) [1]

  2. Battle of Marj Ardabil, Turkic Khazar army led by Barjik defeats Umayyad force, with 20,000 killed including general al-

    Battle of Marj Ardabil, Turkic Khazar army led by Barjik defeats Umayyad force, with 20,000 killed including general al-Jarrah ibn Abdallah, whose head is mounted on a throne

  3. Gregory III begins his reign as Catholic Pope

    Elected on 13 March 2013, Francis was the first member of the Society of Jesus to be appointed pope. He was also the first non-European to hold the office since Gregory III (r. 731–741).

  4. Zen teacher Ho-tse Shen-hui disputes founder of Northern Ch'an line

    Zen teacher Ho-tse Shen-hui disputes founder of Northern Ch'an line

  5. The Battle of Tours: The Umayyad army, led by Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi, is defeated by the Frankish-Aquitainian force led

    The Battle of Tours: The Umayyad army, led by Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi, is defeated by the Frankish-Aquitainian force led by Charles Martel during the Umayyad invasion of Gaul

Events After

  1. Commemoration of a new ceremonial ballcourt at the significant Maya city of Copán under reign of one of its most importa

    Commemoration of a new ceremonial ballcourt at the significant Maya city of Copán under reign of one of its most important rulers 18 Rabbit (modern Honduras)

  2. Maya ruler 18 Rabbit of Copán is captured and beheaded by his former vassal Cauac Sky ruler of the nearby city of Quirig

    Maya ruler 18 Rabbit of Copán is captured and beheaded by his former vassal Cauac Sky ruler of the nearby city of Quiriguá

  3. Smoke Monkey ascends to the throne of the Maya city of Copán, after the capture and killing of his predecessor 18 Rabbit

    Smoke Monkey ascends to the throne of the Maya city of Copán, after the capture and killing of his predecessor 18 Rabbit by rival city Quirigua

  4. An earthquake strikes Constantinople, causing damage to city walls and buildings

    An earthquake strikes Constantinople, causing damage to city walls and buildings

  5. St Zachary selected as Catholic Pope to succeed Gregory III [or Dec 5]

    St Zachary selected as Catholic Pope to succeed Gregory III [or Dec 5]

More from the 730s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on December 3, 735?
Dos Pilas is a Pre-Columbian site of the Maya civilization located in what is now the department of Petén, Guatemala. It dates to the Late Classic Period, and was founded by an offshoot of the dynasty of the great city of Tikal in AD 629 in order to control trade routes in the Petexbatún region, particularly the Pasión River. In AD 648 Dos Pilas broke away from Tikal and became a vassal state of Calakmul, although the first two kings of Dos Pilas continued to use the same emblem glyph that Tikal did.
Why is Maya city of Dos Pilas attacks and conquers the larger and older city of Seibal significant?
Dos Pilas is a Pre-Columbian site of the Maya civilization located in what is now the department of Petén, Guatemala.

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