The Great Market of Tlatelolco

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the bustling tianguiztli of Tlatelolco, the vast marketplace that astonished Spanish conquistadors. They discuss how the market operated under the watchful eyes of Tenochtitlan's rulers, the role of the pochteca long-distance traders, the use of cacao beans as currency, and the strict legal codes that governed commerce. Listeners will learn about the daily rhythm of buying and selling, from slaves and gold dust to maize and quachtli cloaks, and how the market was both an economic engine and a symbol of Mexica power. The conversation also touches on the famous encounter between Hernán Cortés and Moctezuma Xocoyotzin, as described by Bernal Díaz del Castillo, and reflects on what the market's destruction meant for the city's downfall. Specific terms like pochteca, quachtli, and tianquiztli are brought to life, offering a vivid snapshot of Aztec commerce at its height. #Tlatelolco #Tenochtitlan #AztecMarket #Pochteca #CacaoCurrency #BernalDiaz #Moctezuma #Cortes #Nahuatl #Mesoamerica #Tianguiztli #AztecCommerce #Quachtli #FlorentineCodex #AztecEconomy #History #FexingoHistory #AztecEmpire Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo