The Conquistadors: Exploration, Greed, and Destruction — Fexingo History

In this episode, Lucas and Luna dive into the brutal 93-day siege of Tenochtitlan in 1521, a turning point in the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire. They explore the tactical innovations Cortés employed after his defeat on the Noche Triste, including the construction of thirteen brigantines to control Lake Texcoco. The episode details the crucial role of Tlaxcalan allies, who provided tens of thousands of warriors and logistical support. Lucas explains the devastating impact of smallpox on the Mexica defenders, who fought under the young emperor Cuauhtémoc. The discussion covers the systematic destruction of the city's aqueduct from Chapultepec, the use of cannons and crossbows, and the final desperate defense in Tlatelolco. The hosts also examine controversial aspects: Cortés's use of indigenous allies as front-line troops, the mass starvation and disease that decimated the besieged population, and the ambiguous fate of Cuauhtémoc. Drawing on accounts from Bernal Díaz del Castillo and the Florentine Codex, this episode offers a granular look at the campaign that ended the Mexica empire. #SiegeOfTenochtitlan #Cuauhtemoc #Cortés #Tlaxcala #Brigantines #LakeTexcoco #BernalDiaz #FlorentineCodex #Smallpox #Tlatelolco #Mexica #Aztecs #Conquistadors #Mesoamerica #1521 #NewSpain #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In October 1519, just months after landing on the Mexican coast, Hernán Cortés and his army perpetrated a massacre in the great religious center of Cholula that killed thousands of unarmed nobles and commoners. This episode examines the Cholula massacre as a calculated act of psychological warfare that shattered indigenous resistance before the final march on Tenochtitlan. We explore the political context: Cholula was a city-state allied with the Aztec Empire but also sacred to the god Quetzalcoatl, making it a crucial diplomatic target. Cortés claimed he acted on intelligence from La Malinche about a planned ambush, but indigenous accounts from the Florentine Codex and the Lienzo de Tlaxcala suggest a premeditated slaughter designed to intimidate Moctezuma and secure Tlaxcalan loyalty. We also discuss the Cholulteca leader Tlaquiach and the aftermath that turned Cholula into a ghost town. This episode fills a gap in the show's narrative by focusing on a specific, pivotal act of terror that forever changed the course of the conquest. #CholulaMassacre #Cortés #LaMalinche #Tlaxcala #Moctezuma #FlorentineCodex #LienzodeTlaxcala #Tlaquiach #Quetzalcoatl #Mesoamerica #Aztec #Conquistadors #SpanishConquest #PsychologicalWarfare #1519 #History #FexingoHistory #NewSpain Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of The Conquistadors, Lucas and Luna dive into the xochiyaoyotl—the 'flower wars'—that shaped Aztec warfare and religion. They explore how the Mexica of Tenochtitlan engaged in ritualized combat with neighboring city-states like Tlaxcala and Huexotzinco, not primarily for territory but to capture prisoners for human sacrifice to Huitzilopochtli. Lucas explains the strategic genius behind these wars: how the Aztec Empire used them to demoralize enemies, train warriors, and secure a steady stream of sacrificial victims. The conversation also covers the controversial theory that flower wars were a form of ritualized mutual combat agreed upon by both sides, and how this system was exploited by Cortés when he allied with Tlaxcala. Drawing on the Florentine Codex and accounts by Bernardino de Sahagún, the episode reveals the complex interplay of religion, politics, and warfare in Mesoamerica. Listeners will learn about the role of jaguar and eagle warriors, the importance of capturing rather than killing, and how the flower wars ultimately contributed to the fall of the Aztec Empire. A must-listen for anyone interested in pre-Columbian history and the conquest of Mexico. #FlowerWars #Xochiyaoyotl #Aztec #Mexica #Tenochtitlan #Tlaxcala #Huexotzinco #Huitzilopochtli #FlorentineCodex #BernardinoDeSahagun #JaguarWarriors #EagleWarriors #Mesoamerica #HumanSacrifice #Cortés #MesoamericanWarfare #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Long before the conquistadors arrived, the peoples of Mesoamerica played a game that was far more than sport. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the ullamaliztli, the Mesoamerican ballgame played with a solid rubber ball on stone courts from the Olmecs to the Aztecs. They discuss the game's rules, the distinctive hip-yoke and stone goal rings, and its deep ritual significance: in Aztec tradition, the ballgame was linked to the movements of the sun and the gods, and sometimes ended in human sacrifice. Lucas shares the story of the legendary ballcourt at Chichen Itza, the largest in Mesoamerica, and the Popol Vuh's account of the Hero Twins playing against the Lords of the Underworld. He also explains how the conquistadors, including Cortés, brought the game back to Europe, where it shocked audiences. The episode draws on Bernardino de Sahagún's Florentine Codex, sixteenth-century Spanish chronicles, and archaeological evidence to reconstruct a practice that defined Mesoamerican civilization for over 3,000 years. #MesoamericanBallgame #Ullamaliztli #Aztec #Maya #Olmec #PopolVuh #HeroTwins #ChichenItza #RitualSacrifice #RubberBall #FlorentineCodex #BernardinoDeSahagun #Cortes #Mesoamerica #FexingoHistory #History #AncientSports #Conquistadors Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

After the fall of Tenochtitlan, the last Aztec emperor Cuauhtémoc was taken captive by Cortés and held for years. This episode examines the final years of Cuauhtémoc's life: his capture, the brutal torture by Cortés's men to reveal hidden gold, his imprisonment in Coyoacán, and his eventual execution on the gallows in 1525 during Cortés's disastrous expedition to Honduras. We draw on the Florentine Codex, the Lienzo de Tlaxcala, and accounts by Bernal Díaz del Castillo to piece together Cuauhtémoc's dignity under duress, the political calculations behind his death, and the legacy of a ruler who refused to betray his people. We also explore the fate of the other lords executed alongside him, including the ruler of Tlatelolco, Coanacoch, and Tetlepanquetzalitzin of Tlacopan. This is the story of the last Mexica huey tlatoani, a man who became a symbol of resistance even as the empire crumbled. #Cuauhtémoc #AztecEmpire #HueyTlatoani #Cortés #FlorentineCodex #BernalDíazDelCastillo #LienzoDeTlaxcala #Tenochtitlan #Tlatelolco #Coyoacán #HondurasExpedition #Conquistadors #Mexica #Mesoamerica #ColonialHistory #IndigenousResistance #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

This episode shifts focus from the well-known Spanish conquistadors and Indigenous allies to the hundreds of African slaves and free black men who fought in the conquest of Mexico. Lucas and Luna examine the little-known story of Juan Garrido, a free black conquistador who accompanied Cortés and later wrote a petition listing his services. They discuss the role of African auxiliaries in the siege of Tenochtitlan, the first black slaves brought to the mainland, and how their presence complicates the narrative of European vs. Indigenous conflict. The episode draws on primary sources like the Florentine Codex and Garrido's own words, revealing a multi-ethnic conquest that historians are only beginning to fully explore. It also touches on the early colonial caste system and the gradual erasure of African contributions from the historical record. #AfricanSlaves #ConquestOfMexico #JuanGarrido #BlackConquistadors #AfroMexicans #Tenochtitlan #HernanCortes #FlorentineCodex #NewSpain #Slavery #ColonialLatinAmerica #Mesoamerica #History #FexingoHistory #HiddenHistories #AfricanDiaspora #Conquistadors #RaceInHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the mita system, the Inca tradition of mandatory public service that the Spanish adapted into a harsh forced labor regime. They trace its origins under the Inca empire, where communities contributed labor for state projects like road building and farming on state lands. Then they examine how the Spanish conquistadors, particularly under Viceroy Francisco de Toledo, transformed the mita into a system of exploitation for silver mining at Potosí and mercury mining at Huancavelica. The hosts discuss the devastating human cost—entire villages depopulated, families separated, and the collapse of traditional agriculture. They also touch on indigenous resistance, including flight to remote regions and rebellions like that of Túpac Amaru II. The episode draws on colonial records, the chronicles of Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala, and modern historical analysis to show how the mita became a cornerstone of colonial extraction that reshaped Andean society for centuries. #Mita #Inca #SpanishColonialism #Potosí #Huancavelica #FranciscoDeToledo #ForcedLabor #SilverMining #MercuryMining #Andes #TúpacAmaruII #FelipeGuamanPoma #ColonialPeru #ViceroyaltyOfPeru #IndigenousResistance #History #FexingoHistory #Mesoamerica Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the profound importance of the maguey plant in Aztec society. From the fermented drink pulque, reserved for the elderly and pregnant women, to the thorn-studded sacrificial rituals and the versatile fibers used for clothing and paper, maguey was woven into daily life, religion, and economy. They discuss the goddess Mayahuel, the myth of her tragic love with Quetzalcoatl, and the archaeological evidence from Teotihuacan's murals depicting pulque. They also touch on the colonial era, when maguey cultivation expanded for pulque production, and the resilience of the plant in modern Mexico. This episode offers a fresh angle on Mesoamerican culture, moving beyond the conquest narrative to highlight a botanical cornerstone of pre-Columbian life. #Maguey #Pulque #Mayahuel #Aztec #Mesoamerica #Teotihuacan #Quetzalcoatl #Mexica #Octli #Agave #BernardinoDeSahagun #FlorentineCodex #Nahuatl #PreColumbian #AztecReligion #AztecEconomy #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Before the conquistadors drew their swords, they were supposed to read a document aloud — in Spanish — to people who didn't understand it. This was the Requerimiento, a 1513 legal statement declaring that if Indigenous peoples didn't submit to the Pope and the Spanish Crown, they could be violently subjugated 'with all the war that we can make.' In this episode, Lucas and Luna unpack the history of this bizarre ritual: its origins in the Requerimiento of 1513 written by jurist Juan López de Palacios Rubios, its use by Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro, the accounts of Bernal Díaz del Castillo and Bartolomé de las Casas, and the lasting scandal of a legal document designed to justify conquest. They explore how the Requerimiento was read on beaches, from horseback, even at night to sleeping villages — and how its absurdity horrified some Spaniards while enabling atrocities. A deep dive into the legal fiction that underpinned the Spanish Empire's moral crisis. #Requerimiento #SpanishConquest #HernanCortes #FranciscoPizarro #BartolomeDeLasCasas #BernalDiazDelCastillo #Mesoamerica #JustWar #ColonialLaw #JuanLopezDePalaciosRubios #IndigenousRights #ValladolidDebate #NewSpain #Conquistadors #LegalFiction #History #FexingoHistory #Podcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of The Conquistadors, Lucas and Luna explore the encomienda system, the legal framework that bound indigenous people to Spanish colonists in New Spain. They trace its origins from the medieval Reconquista to its implementation in Mesoamerica after the fall of Tenochtitlan, examining how figures like Cortés and later the crown used it to reward conquistadors. The conversation covers the brutal labor conditions, the role of the Requerimiento, the legal challenges by friars like Bartolomé de las Casas, and the New Laws of 1542 that attempted—and largely failed—to reform the system. They discuss specific encomiendas, the disruption of native communities, and the lasting demographic collapse. This episode provides a nuanced look at how Spanish colonial rule functioned on the ground, balancing crown intentions, settler greed, and indigenous resistance. #Encomienda #NewSpain #BartolomeDeLasCasas #Requerimiento #NewLaws1542 #Cortes #Mesoamerica #ColonialMexico #IndigenousSlavery #Repartimiento #SpanishColonialism #BurgosLaws #ValladolidDebate #Tasas #Cacique #Conquistadors #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

The Tlaxcalans were indispensable to Cortés's victory, but what happened to them after Tenochtitlan fell? This episode follows the Tlaxcalan allies through the later decades of the 16th century, as they received encomiendas and privileges from the Spanish crown — while also becoming instruments of colonial expansion into the north. We look at the Tlaxcalan settlements in San Miguel de Allende, the Chichimeca frontier, and the bitter irony of their own descendants being drawn into the same systems of tribute and labor they helped impose. Drawing on the Lienzo de Tlaxcala, indigenous legal petitions, and the Relaciones Geográficas, we explore how the Tlaxcalans navigated their new place in the colonial order — as conquerors, as subjects, and as a people whose alliance bought survival but not equality. #Tlaxcala #TlaxcalanAllies #ConquestOfMexico #ColonialMexico #LienzoDeTlaxcala #ChichimecaWar #SanMiguelDeAllende #Encomienda #IndigenousAgency #Cortés #Mesoamerica #NahuaHistory #RelacionesGeográficas #16thCentury #ColonialSettlers #MexicanHistory #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Before Cortés ever set foot in Tenochtitlan, he forged a crucial alliance with the Totonac people of Cempoala. This episode explores the revolt led by the Cacique Gordo, a shrewd leader who saw the Spanish as a tool to break free from Aztec tribute demands. We delve into the Totonac city-state's prosperity, their resentment of Moctezuma's tax collectors, and the pivotal Battle of Cempoala where Cortés proved his military worth. Discover how the Totonac alliance provided Cortés with hundreds of tameme porters, vital intelligence, and a base at Villa Rica de la Veracruz. We also examine the aftermath: the Totonac's disillusionment as the Spanish revealed their own greed, and the lasting impact on indigenous alliances that shaped the conquest of Mexico. #Cempoala #CaciqueGordo #Totonac #Cortés #Aztec #Veracruz #VillaRica #tameme #tribute #Mesoamerica #Conquistadors #IndigenousAlliance #Moctezuma #BernalDíaz #BattleOfCempoala #History #FexingoHistory #ColonialMexico Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In 1529, just years after the fall of Tenochtitlan, the Purepecha Empire under Tangáxoan II faced a new threat: Nuño de Guzmán, a ruthless conquistador who would stop at nothing to claim their lands. This episode explores the brutal conquest of Michoacán, from the initial diplomacy at Tzintzuntzan to the Cazonci's execution, the destruction of Purepecha temples, and the forced resettlement of survivors. We examine Guzmán's motivations, the role of the Relación de Michoacán as a historical source, and the legacy of resistance that shaped western Mexico. Lucas and Luna discuss how Purepecha military strength—which had famously humbled the Aztecs—was undone by disease, betrayal, and Spanish steel. A little-known chapter of the conquest, this story highlights the complexity of indigenous survival and colonial violence. #Purepecha #Tarascans #Cazonci #TangáxoanII #NuñodeGuzmán #Michoacán #Tzintzuntzan #ConquestOfMexico #RelacióndeMichoacán #IndigenousResistance #ColonialViolence #1529 #Cocoliztli #Mesoamerica #Conquistadors #FexingoHistory #History #TeachingHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of The Conquistadors, Lucas and Luna explore the Purepecha Empire (also known as the Tarascans), the only Mesoamerican state that successfully resisted Aztec expansion. They discuss the empire's origins under the legendary leader Tariácuri, its capital Tzintzuntzan, and its unique political structure. The hosts examine Purepecha military technology—including copper and bronze weapons like the ichcahuipilli and macuahuitl—and the decisive battles that repelled Aztec incursions. They also cover the empire's encounter with the Spanish under Cristóbal de Olid and Nuño de Guzmán, the betrayal of Tangáxoan II, and the controversial Relación de Michoacán. The episode highlights how Purepecha metallurgy, centralized governance, and strategic autonomy set them apart from their neighbors, and reflects on the irony that an empire that never fell to the Mexica was ultimately conquered by a handful of Spaniards. #Purepecha #Tarascans #Mesoamerica #Tariácuri #Tzintzuntzan #TangáxoanII #NuñodeGuzmán #RelacióndeMichoacán #Ichcahuipilli #Macuahuitl #CopperWeapons #AztecResistance #PreColumbian #CristóbaldeOlid #Conquistadors #Pátzcuaro #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

While the Aztec Empire fell to Cortés, one Mesoamerican kingdom remained unconquered by the Mexica: the Purepecha (Tarascan) Empire. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the rise of the Purepecha state from the Lake Pátzcuaro basin, its unique bronze metallurgy, and its remarkable military victories against the Aztec Empire. We discuss the legendary ruler Tariácuri who unified the kingdom, the strategic use of fortified hilltop settlements, and the empire's sophisticated bureaucracy. We also examine why the Purepecha did not ally with Cortés, and how their resistance ultimately collapsed under Spanish onslaught in the 1520s. The episode covers key figures like Tangáxoan II and the devastating smallpox epidemic that preceded Spanish conquest. #Purepecha #Tarascan #Tariácuri #TangáxoanII #Mesoamerica #Aztec #BronzeMetallurgy #LakePatzcuaro #conquistadors #Cortés #smallpox #Michoacán #indigenoushistory #precolumbian #empire #warfare #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the life and legacy of La Malinche, also known as Malintzin or Doña Marina, the Nahua woman who served as Cortés's interpreter and adviser during the conquest of Mexico. They examine her linguistic abilities, her role as a cultural intermediary between the Spanish and Indigenous peoples, and the complex historical interpretations of her actions—from traitor to survivor to mother of a new mestizo identity. The discussion covers her birth into a noble family, her enslavement by the Maya, her gift to Cortés from the Tabascans, and her crucial services during the negotiations with the Tlaxcalans and Moctezuma. Lucas and Luna also consider the scarcity of primary sources about her own perspective, the evolving reputation of Malinche in Mexican history and literature, and how modern scholars grapple with her agency within the constraints of conquest. The episode ties together Mesoamerican linguistics, colonial power dynamics, and the enduring myth of the malinchista. #LaMalinche #Malintzin #DoñaMarina #Cortés #ConquestOfMexico #Nahua #Nahuatl #Mesoamerica #IndigenousHistory #SpanishConquest #Translation #CulturalIntermediary #Mestizaje #MexicanHistory #Colonialism #History #FexingoHistory #WomenInHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode, Lucas and Luna examine the cocoliztli, the mysterious epidemic that killed millions in Mesoamerica after the Spanish arrival. They explore the debate over whether it was a native hemorrhagic fever or smallpox, how Nahua sources in the Florentine Codex describe the symptoms, and the role of drought and famine in the catastrophe. The conversation also touches on the collapse of Tenochtitlan's population and the long-term demographic impact. A nuanced look at a disaster that reshaped history. #Cocoliztli #Smallpox #HemorrhagicFever #FlorentineCodex #BernardinoDeSahagun #Tenochtitlan #Mesoamerica #Aztec #Disease #Epidemiology #Conquest #DemographicCollapse #Nahua #Cortes #Cuauhtemoc #History #FexingoHistory #Podcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode, Lucas and Luna delve into the xochiyaoyotl, or Flower Wars, fought between the Mexica and their rivals like Tlaxcala and Huexotzinco. They explore whether these conflicts were purely ritualistic—designed to capture prisoners for sacrifice—or a calculated political tool to weaken enemies and train warriors. Drawing on the Florentine Codex and other sources, they discuss the role of the jaguar and eagle warrior orders, the strategic use of flower wars during Moctezuma Xocoyotzin's reign, and how Cortés exploited these tensions. The episode also touches on the controversial debate among historians about the true purpose of these wars, offering a nuanced look at Aztec warfare and its impact on the Spanish conquest. #FlowerWars #Xochiyaoyotl #Aztec #Mexica #Tlaxcala #MoctezumaXocoyotzin #FlorentineCodex #BernardinoDeSahagun #JaguarWarriors #EagleWarriors #Huitzilopochtli #RitualCombat #AztecWarfare #Cortes #Mesoamerica #History #FexingoHistory #Conquistadors Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of The Conquistadors, Lucas and Luna explore the reign of Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin, the ninth Aztec emperor who faced Cortés. They examine his early military campaigns, his reforms to the tribute system, and the complex web of political strategy and religious belief that shaped his response to the Spanish arrival. Was Motecuhzoma paralyzed by superstition, or was he a shrewd leader making calculated moves in an impossible situation? The hosts discuss his decision to send gifts to Cortés, his intelligence network, and the conflicting accounts from Spanish and Nahua sources. They also touch on the role of the cihuacoatl Tlacaelel and the poetry attributed to Motecuhzoma. This episode offers a nuanced portrait of a leader caught between tradition and crisis. #Motecuhzoma #Moctezuma #Aztec #Tenochtitlan #Cortés #HueyTlatoani #FlorentineCodex #BernalDíaz #Sahagún #Tlacaelel #Mesoamerica #Conquistadors #Nahuatl #Cihuacoatl #Tribute #History #FexingoHistory #SpanishConquest Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In June 1520, Cortés and his army fled Tenochtitlan under cover of darkness, only to be ambushed on a causeway in one of the most dramatic and bloody events of the Spanish conquest: the Noche Triste, or Sad Night. Lucas and Luna explore what led to the retreat—the Toxcatl massacre, the death of Moctezuma, and the uprising of the Mexica under Cuitláhuac. They reconstruct the battle itself: how the Spaniards, laden with gold, struggled across the Tlacopan causeway, how the Mexica warriors attacked from canoes and rooftops, and how hundreds of Spaniards and thousands of Tlaxcalan allies died, their bodies blocking the canals. They discuss Cortés's legendary grief under the ahuehuete tree at Popotla, the lost treasure of Moctezuma that sank into Lake Texcoco, and the strategic aftermath—how Cortés regrouped in Tlaxcala and planned the final siege. Along the way, they touch on key figures like Pedro de Alvarado, the jumping Tlaxcalan bridge-builders, and the Mexica commander who nearly killed Cortés. This episode offers a vivid, on-the-ground view of a turning point that nearly ended the conquest. #NocheTriste #Cortés #Tenochtitlan #Mexica #Aztecs #Cuitláhuac #Moctezuma #Tlaxcala #PedroDeAlvarado #ToxcatlMassacre #Popotla #Conquistadors #Mesoamerica #SpanishConquest #IndigenousHistory #History #FexingoHistory #Battle Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Before the Spanish arrived, the Aztec Empire fought a unique kind of war called the xochiyaoyotl, or Flower War. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how these ritualized battles served multiple purposes: training warriors, capturing prisoners for sacrifice, and pressuring rival city-states. They focus on the conflict between Tenochtitlan and Tlaxcala, which had been locked in a generations-long Flower War when Cortés arrived. Drawing on the Florentine Codex and other sources, they discuss how the Tlaxcalans' expertise in this form of combat shaped their alliance with the Spanish. They also consider the debate among historians: was the Flower War genuinely ritualistic, or a pragmatic tool of imperial intimidation? This episode covers the mechanics of the xochiyaoyotl, the role of the jaguar and eagle warrior societies, and how Moctezuma Xocoyotzin used it to maintain Aztec dominance. The conversation also touches on the controversial idea that the Flower War contributed to the Aztecs' downfall by creating resentful enemies like the Tlaxcalans. #FlowerWar #xochiyaoyotl #Aztec #Tlaxcala #Moctezuma #Tenochtitlan #FlorentineCodex #jaguarwarriors #eaglewarriors #ritualcombat #Mesoamerica #Cortés #sacrifice #AztecEmpire #militaryhistory #Mexica #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the devastating impact of famine and disease during the siege of Tenochtitlan in 1521. The discussion focuses on the smallpox epidemic that ravaged the city, the strategic blockade of food and water by Cortés's forces, and the resilience of the Mexica defenders. Drawing on accounts from the Florentine Codex and Bernal Díaz del Castillo, they examine how hunger and disease weakened the city before its final collapse. The episode highlights the role of cocoliztli (pestilence) and the tactical use of starvation as a weapon of conquest. #Tenochtitlan #Smallpox #Cocoliztli #FlorentineCodex #BernalDiaz #Cortes #Cuauhtemoc #Siege1521 #Famine #Mesoamerica #Aztec #Mexica #Conquistadors #History #FexingoHistory #Tlatelolco #Disease #Warfare Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Before Cuauhtémoc's final stand, another Mexica ruler briefly held the fate of Tenochtitlan in his hands. Cuitláhuac, the 10th Huey Tlatoani, ruled for just 80 days in 1520—but in that time he organized the military campaign that drove the Spanish from the city on the Noche Triste. This episode explores Cuitláhuac's life, his role as lord of Iztapalapa, his leadership in the Toxcatl massacre, and his sudden death from smallpox that changed the course of the conquest. We examine the Nahuatl sources that record his actions and the mystery of his burial. What if Cuitláhuac had lived? #Cuitláhuac #HueyTlatoani #Iztapalapa #ToxcatlMassacre #NocheTriste #Smallpox #Tenochtitlan #Cortés #Mexica #Aztec #Mesoamerica #FlorentineCodex #BernalDíaz #Conquistadors #History #FexingoHistory #IndigenousResistance #1520 Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the myth and meaning of Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent god of Mesoamerica. They trace his origins among the Olmec, Maya, and Toltec, examine his role in cosmology as the wind god Ehecatl and the planet Venus, and unpack the controversial legend that Cortés was mistaken for Quetzalcoatl's returning avatar. Drawing on the Florentine Codex, Popol Vuh, and archaeological finds at Teotihuacan and Tula, they separate fact from fiction and reveal how this deity shaped Mesoamerican religion and the conquest itself. A nuanced look at one of archaeology's most misunderstood figures. #Quetzalcoatl #FeatheredSerpent #Mesoamerica #AztecMythology #Toltec #Teotihuacan #Ehecatl #Venus #PopolVuh #FlorentineCodex #Tula #CeAcatlTopiltzin #Cortés #MythVsHistory #Conquistadors #Religion #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Before Cortés ever set foot in Tenochtitlan, Moctezuma's spies were already watching him. The pochteca were far more than traders — they were Aztec intelligence agents who roamed Mesoamerica gathering information for the empire. In this episode, Lucas and Luna uncover the hidden world of these elite merchants: how they financed conquest, reported enemy movements, and even controlled the flow of tribute goods like cacao and quetzal feathers. We explore their special courts, their lavish feasts, and the surprising ways they became the eyes and ears of the Huey Tlatoani. Drawing on the Florentine Codex and accounts from Bernal Díaz del Castillo, we see how Cortés himself was tracked by pochteca long before the Noche Triste. This is the story of the spies who almost saved an empire. #Pochteca #AztecMerchants #Moctezuma #Mesoamerica #AztecEmpire #Spies #Intelligence #FlorentineCodex #Cacao #QuetzalFeathers #TributeSystem #Conquistadors #HueyTlatoani #BernalDiaz #LongDistanceTrade #AztecSociety #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the final months of the Aztec Empire through the eyes of its last ruler, Cuauhtémoc. They trace his rise to power after Moctezuma's death, the desperate defense of Tenochtitlan, and his capture on August 13, 1521. The conversation covers the symbolism of his name (meaning 'Descending Eagle'), the brutal interrogation under Cortés to reveal hidden treasure, and his eventual execution in 1525 during Cortés's disastrous expedition to Honduras. Along the way, they examine the Florentine Codex's account of Cuauhtémoc's surrender, the role of the Tlaxcalan allies, and the lingering controversy over whether Cuauhtémoc was tortured. The episode paints a nuanced portrait of a leader who refused to submit, even as his world crumbled. #Cuauhtémoc #AztecEmpire #HernánCortés #Tenochtitlan #Mesoamerica #FlorentineCodex #TlaxcalanAllies #BernalDíaz #SpanishConquest #Nahuatl #Conquistadors #1521 #History #FexingoHistory #IndigenousResistance #Cacique #LastEmperor #Mexico Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In the shadow of Moctezuma's tribute demands, the Totonac city of Cempoala—also known as the Place of Many Waters—chose a risky alliance with Hernán Cortés in 1519. This episode explores the Totonac perspective: their anger at Aztec tax collectors, the political calculations of the Cacique Gordo (Fat Chief), and how they provided Cortés with 400 tameme porters and 15,000 warriors. We examine the Cempoala pyramid, the ritual of bloodletting, and the tribute lists of the Matrícula de Tributos. The alliance was a gamble that reshaped Mesoamerica, but it also left the Totonac subjugated under Spanish encomiendas. Featuring insights from Bernal Díaz del Castillo and the Florentine Codex, we uncover how a coastal people became the fulcrum of conquest. #Cempoala #Totonac #Cortés #Aztec #Mesoamerica #Conquistadors #CaciqueGordo #MatrículaDeTributos #BernalDíaz #FlorentineCodex #Tameme #Encomienda #Moctezuma #Veracruz #1519 #IndigenousHistory #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In 1521, Hernán Cortés ordered the construction of thirteen brigantines — shallow-draft warships — to break the Aztec hold on Tenochtitlan. But two of those ships never made it to battle. They sank in Lake Texcoco before a single shot was fired. What caused the loss? Who was responsible? And what did the sinking reveal about the fragile alliance between Spanish invaders and their Tlaxcalan allies? This episode examines the logistics, the sabotage rumors, the scapegoating of a Spanish carpenter, and the aftermath that reshaped Cortés's strategy. Drawing on Bernal Díaz del Castillo's account and the Florentine Codex, we piece together a forgotten episode that nearly derailed the siege. The lost ships of Lake Texcoco offer a rare window into the tensions, accidents, and human error that lurked behind the grand narrative of conquest. #Cortés #Brigantines #LakeTexcoco #Tenochtitlan #Tlaxcalan #BernalDíaz #FlorentineCodex #MartínLópez #Sabotage #Scapegoat #Conquistadors #Mesoamerica #SiegeOfTenochtitlan #Shipwreck #History #FexingoHistory #1521 #SpanishConquest Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode, we dive deep into the military and political alliance between Hernán Cortés and the Tlaxcalan confederation — arguably the single most decisive factor in the fall of Tenochtitlan. We explore how four independent Tlaxcalan lords (Tizatlan, Ocotelolco, Quiahuitzlan, and Tepeticpac) navigated internal rivalries, their long-standing enmity with the Aztec Triple Alliance, and the calculated decision to ally with the Spanish after initial bloody battles. We discuss key figures like Xicotencatl the Elder, the blind leader of Tizatlan who advocated alliance, and Xicotencatl the Younger, the military commander who fiercely opposed it. The conversation covers the critical Battle of Tzompancingo, the Tlaxcalan council's debates, the role of La Malinche as interpreter, and the profound consequences for Tlaxcala: exemption from direct Spanish rule but eventual erosion of their autonomy. We also touch on the Lienzo de Tlaxcala, a pictorial codex that proudly depicts Tlaxcalan participation in the conquest. This episode sheds light on the indigenous allies who made Cortés's victory possible — and whose own history is often overshadowed. #Tlaxcala #Cortes #AztecEmpire #Mexica #Xicotencatl #Conquistadors #Mesoamerica #LaMalinche #LienzodeTlaxcala #BattleOfTzompancingo #SpanishConquest #IndigenousAllies #Tizatlan #Ocotelolco #History #FexingoHistory #ColonialMexico #Warfare Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

After the fall of Tenochtitlan and the Mixtón rebellion, the Spanish faced an even more intractable enemy: the Chichimeca of the northern deserts. Unlike the settled empires of central Mexico, these nomadic archers refused to be conquered, fought without a central leader, and turned the silver-rich Bajío region into a war zone for over forty years. In this episode, Lucas and Luna examine the Chichimeca War (1550–1590), exploring the brutal counter-insurgency tactics of Viceroy Mendoza, the devastating use of chichimeca archers against the Spanish, the role of the Otomí as frontier allies, and the eventual shift from war to peace through the purchase of food, clothing, and iron tools. They discuss the infamous 'peace by purchase' policy of Viceroy Villamanrique, the founding of Querétaro and San Miguel de Allende as fortified settlements, and the cultural legacy of the Chichimeca as the ancestors of today's northern Mexican identity. #ChichimecaWar #Chichimeca #Otomí #Querétaro #SanMigueldeAllende #Mixtón #NuevaGalicia #NewSpain #SilverRoads #Mesoamerica #Conquistadors #ViceroyMendoza #Bajío #NomadicArchers #PeaceByPurchase #FexingoHistory #History #ColonialMexico Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In 1519, Hernán Cortés ordered his own ships scuttled off the coast of Veracruz — a dramatic act that became legend. But did he really burn them? This episode separates fact from myth, exploring what actually happened to the eleven vessels, why Cortés made that choice, and how the story evolved through chroniclers like Bernal Díaz del Castillo and Francisco López de Gómara. We also look at the strategic context: the mutinous faction in Villa Rica de la Veracruz, the Aztec spies watching from the shore, and the psychological impact on Cortés's men. Plus: the physical evidence — anchors, timbers, and cannons recovered from the sea floor near the modern-day port of Veracruz. This is not the old story of burning ships; it's a deeper dive into propaganda, survival, and the making of a myth that still shapes how we remember the Conquest. #HernanCortes #BurningShips #Veracruz #VillaRicaDeLaVeracruz #BernalDiazDelCastillo #FranciscoLopezDeGomara #Conquistadors #SpanishConquest #Mesoamerica #AztecEmpire #Nahuatl #Cempoala #CaciqueGordo #MaritimeArchaeology #MilitaryHistory #Propaganda #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In 1540, a coalition of Indigenous peoples in western Mexico rose up against Spanish rule in a conflict that would become known as the Mixtón War. Led by the Caxcan leader Tenamaztle, the rebellion swept through the provinces of Nueva Galicia, targeting encomiendas, missions, and Spanish settlements. The Spanish response was brutal: Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza personally led an army of conquistadors and Indigenous allies, including Tlaxcalans and Aztecs, to crush the revolt. This episode examines the causes, key battles, and aftermath of the Mixtón War, including the role of the infamous Nuño de Guzmán's earlier atrocities, the use of war dogs, and the legal debates over just war that followed. We also explore the fate of Tenamaztle, who escaped to the mountains and later appealed to the Spanish crown for justice. This is a story of resistance, betrayal, and the violent consolidation of colonial rule in Mexico. #MixtonWar #Tenamaztle #Caxcan #NuevaGalicia #AntonioDeMendoza #NunoDeGuzman #Conquistadors #IndigenousResistance #ColonialMexico #MexicanHistory #WarDogs #JustWar #Encomienda #Tlaxcalan #Aztec #1540 #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode, Lucas and Luna dive into the opening days of the siege of Tenochtitlan in May 1521. They examine Cortés's strategy of cutting off the city's water supply from Chapultepec, the devastating impact of the brigantines on the lake, and the fierce resistance led by Cuauhtémoc. The conversation highlights the role of Tlaxcalan allies, the use of cannons and crossbows, and the gradual encirclement of the Aztec capital. Drawing on Bernal Díaz del Castillo's firsthand account and the Florentine Codex, they explore a moment of high tension: the failed assault on the Tacuba causeway, where the Spanish suffered heavy losses. The episode also touches on the psychological warfare of the Spanish, including the destruction of temples and the relentless pressure on Tenochtitlan's defenders. A brief donation segment supports ad-free history. #Tenochtitlan #Cortés #Cuauhtémoc #Siege1521 #Chapultepec #Brigantines #Tlaxcalan #BernalDíaz #FlorentineCodex #TacubaCauseway #AztecResistance #Mesoamerica #Conquistadors #SpanishConquest #History #FexingoHistory #MilitaryHistory #IndigenousHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

When Hernán Cortés landed on the Mexican Gulf Coast in 1519, he found a people simmering with resentment against the Aztec Empire: the Totonac. Based in the prosperous city of Cempoala, the Totonac had been forced to pay heavy tribute to Moctezuma II—cacao, cotton, feathers, and even human sacrifices. Their leader, a rotund cacique nicknamed the Fat Chief by Spanish chroniclers, saw in Cortés a chance to break free. This episode explores the Totonac alliance from their perspective: why they allied with a handful of Spaniards, how they provided crucial support at Cempoala and Villa Rica de la Veracruz, and how they were ultimately betrayed by the very system they helped install. We examine their civilization—known for monumental stone sculptures, a unique language, and a long history of resistance—and trace their fate after the conquest, including devastating epidemics and forced labor under the encomienda. A story of pragmatism, hope, and tragic miscalculation. #Totonac #Cempoala #FatChief #Cortés #Veracruz #AztecEmpire #Mesoamerica #Conquistadors #IndigenousAllies #GulfCoast #Tribute #Cacao #VillaRica #Encomienda #Smallpox #BernalDíaz #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how the Spanish conquest of Mesoamerica was financed not by Spanish gold but by Indigenous tribute networks. They trace the Mexica tribute system—recorded in the Matrícula de Tributos—which funneled cacao, cotton, maize, and jade from 38 provinces into Tenochtitlan. After 1521, Cortés repurposed these same mechanisms through encomiendas, demanding labor and goods from native communities to fund expeditions into Oaxaca, Michoacán, and beyond. The discussion highlights figures like Moctezuma Xocoyotzin, Cuauhtémoc, and the cihuacoatl Tlacaelel, whose administrative genius was co-opted by the conquerors. The episode also touches on the tribute's human cost: macehualtin forced to produce for both native lords and Spanish encomenderos, leading to famine and rebellion. A detailed look at one province, Tochtepec, reveals how a single region supplied rubber, feathers, and warriors—first for the Aztec Empire, then for Cortés. #TributeSystem #MatriculaDeTributos #Cortes #Moctezuma #Cuauhtemoc #Encomienda #Mesoamerica #AztecEmpire #Mexica #Tlacaelel #Cihuacoatl #Tenochtitlan #Tochtepec #Macehualtin #Nahuatl #Conquistadors #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Before chocolate became a sweet treat, it was money. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the role of cacao beans as currency in Aztec society. They discuss how cacao was harvested, processed, and used for everyday purchases from food to brides, touching on the tribute system, the cacao drink enjoyed by nobles, and what happened when Cortés and his men encountered this strange 'brown gold.' They also look at how the Spanish adapted cacao for their own use, adding sugar and vanilla to create the forerunner of modern chocolate. The episode draws on sources like the Florentine Codex and Bernal Díaz del Castillo's account to bring this rich history to life. A donation appeal seamlessly weaves in: just as cacao was a medium of exchange for the Aztecs, listener support keeps this ad-free podcast going. #Cacao #AztecCurrency #ChocolateHistory #Mesoamerica #FlorentineCodex #BernalDíazDelCastillo #Nahuatl #Xocolātl #Tribute #Cortés #Conquistadors #History #FexingoHistory #AztecEconomy #CacaoBeans #FoodHistory #PreColumbian #SpanishConquest Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of The Conquistadors, Lucas and Luna explore the extraordinary life of Malintzin—better known as La Malinche—the Nahua woman who served as Hernán Cortés's interpreter, advisor, and diplomat during the conquest of Mexico. They trace her origins as a noblewoman sold into slavery among the Maya, her linguistic genius that allowed her to bridge Nahuatl, Maya, and Spanish, and her pivotal role in forging the alliances—most crucially with the Tlaxcalans—that brought down Tenochtitlan. The conversation examines how Malintzin navigated extreme power imbalances, why she has been reviled in Mexican history as a traitor yet is also hailed as the mother of a new people, and how recent scholarship reconsiders her agency. Lucas and Luna also discuss the Florentine Codex's shifting depiction of her, her relationship with Cortés and the child they had together, Martín, and the legacy of the term 'malinchista.' They end by reflecting on what her story tells us about survival, collaboration, and the complexity of indigenous choices in the colonial world. #Malintzin #LaMalinche #HernanCortes #Nahuatl #Maya #Tlaxcala #Tenochtitlan #Conquistadors #MexicanHistory #IndigenousAgency #FlorentineCodex #BernalDiaz #Malinchista #ConquestofMexico #History #FexingoHistory #ColonialLatinAmerica #Interpreter Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

We've talked about the encomienda system before, but this episode digs into what came next—and what coexisted alongside it. After the New Laws of 1542 tried to phase out encomiendas, Spanish officials didn't abolish forced labor; they just rebranded it. The repartimiento system—also called the 'repartimiento de indios'—became the new mechanism for funneling indigenous workers into Spanish mines, farms, and construction projects. We trace how this system functioned in practice, from the silver mines of Zacatecas to the fields of Michoacán. We look at the 'corregidores' and 'alcaldes mayores' who administered the labor drafts, the indigenous communities that resisted or adapted, and the Crown's own contradictory policies that both condemned exploitation and depended on it. We also get into the specific case of the Huasteca region, where forced labor sparked revolts in the 1550s. And we ask: did the shift from encomienda to repartimiento actually improve anything for indigenous people, or was it just a more efficient extraction machine? #Repartimiento #Encomienda #NewLaws1542 #ForcedLabor #Huasteca #Zacatecas #Michoacan #Corregidor #AlcaldeMayor #IndigenousResistance #SpanishColonialism #Mesoamerica #SilverMines #LaborHistory #ColonialMexico #FexingoHistory #Conquistadors #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode, Lucas and Luna revisit the Requerimiento — the Spanish legal decree read to indigenous peoples before conquest — but from a new angle: its afterlife. They explore how the document was weaponized by conquistadors, how Bartolomé de las Casas and Francisco de Vitoria debated its legitimacy, and how its logic of 'just war' echoes in later colonial legal codes. The conversation touches on the Requerimiento's use in the Mixtón War, its translation into Nahuatl, and the irony of a text meant to offer peace that was almost always read in Spanish to people who couldn't understand it. They also discuss how the Requerimiento shaped indigenous legal strategies: some native leaders later cited it in Spanish courts to argue for their rights. This episode offers a nuanced look at how words can be as violent as swords, and how the legacy of a single document persists in debates about sovereignty and conquest. #Requerimiento #BartoloméDeLasCasas #FranciscoDeVitoria #HernánCortés #Nahuatl #MixtónWar #JustWar #ColonialLaw #Encomienda #IndigenousResistance #Mesoamerica #SpanishConquest #History #FexingoHistory #Podcast #Colonialism #LegalHistory #Translation Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In 1521, Hernán Cortés faced a seemingly impossible problem: how to besiege an island city without a navy. His solution—building a fleet of thirteen brigantines in Tlaxcala, carrying them over the mountains, and launching them on Lake Texcoco—was one of the most audacious logistical feats of the conquest. This episode dives into the construction, transport, and tactical use of those ships, drawing on accounts from Bernal Díaz del Castillo, the Florentine Codex, and Spanish shipbuilding records. We'll look at the Spanish shipwright Martín López, who supervised the project, the thousands of Tlaxcalan laborers who cut timber and carried the vessels, and the climactic naval battle that cut off Tenochtitlan's last lifeline. Along the way, we'll consider the brigantines' design—were they galleys or sloops?—and why Cortés insisted on sails and oars both. No other episode has focused solely on this forgotten fleet, the weapon that turned an inland capital into a trap. #Brigantines #Cortés #Tenochtitlan #MartínLópez #Tlaxcala #LakeTexcoco #BernalDíaz #FlorentineCodex #NavalHistory #1521 #SiegeOfTenochtitlan #SpanishConquest #Shipbuilding #Mesoamerica #History #FexingoHistory #MilitaryHistory #Aztecs Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

On the night of June 30, 1520, Hernán Cortés and his men attempted to flee Tenochtitlan under cover of darkness. What followed was a catastrophic rout that the Spanish would forever call the Noche Triste — the Night of Sorrows. This episode reconstructs the events of that night in vivid detail: the causeway of Tlacopan, the portable bridge that collapsed under the weight of gold, the battle cries of Aztec warriors, and the staggering losses on both sides. We explore the tactical decisions that led to the disaster, the role of the Tlaxcalan allies, and the aftermath that nearly destroyed the Spanish expedition. Using firsthand accounts from Bernal Díaz del Castillo and the Florentine Codex, we separate myth from history and examine how Cortés turned this defeat into the psychological turning point of the conquest. A harrowing story of hubris, desperation, and survival that changed the course of Mesoamerican history. #NocheTriste #Cortés #Tenochtitlan #Aztec #SpanishConquest #BernalDíaz #FlorentineCodex #Moctezuma #Cuauhtémoc #Tlacopan #Tlaxcala #Malinche #historia #Mesoamerica #1520 #conquistadors #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In October 1519, just two months after arriving in Tenochtitlan, Hernán Cortés orchestrated one of the most brutal episodes of the Spanish conquest: the massacre of thousands of unarmed nobles and commoners in the sacred city of Cholula. This episode unpacks what happened, why it happened, and how it shaped the course of the invasion. Drawing on indigenous accounts from the Florentine Codex and Spanish chronicles like Bernal Díaz del Castillo, we separate legend from evidence — including the contested story that Cortés knew of a planned ambush thanks to La Malinche. We also examine Cholula's significance as a religious center dedicated to Quetzalcoatl, and how the massacre became a deliberate tool of psychological warfare aimed at intimidating both allies and enemies. The conversation explores the political calculations behind the violence, the role of Tlaxcalan allies in the slaughter, and the long memory of the event in Mexican history and folklore. #CholulaMassacre #HernánCortés #LaMalinche #FlorentineCodex #BernalDíazDelCastillo #Quetzalcoatl #Tlaxcala #Tenochtitlan #Moctezuma #Nahuatl #Conquistadors #Mesoamerica #SpanishConquest #PsychologicalWarfare #History #FexingoHistory #Aztec #Cholula Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode 82 of The Conquistadors takes a step back from the familiar Cortés narrative to explore the earlier, often overshadowed expedition of Juan de Grijalva in 1518. We follow Grijalva's fleet as it charts the Yucatán coast, encounters the Maya at Potonchán, and receives the first verifiable Spanish claims of a wealthy empire inland—information that would spur Velázquez to authorize Cortés. Learn about the skirmish at Champotón, the naming of Río Grijalva, and the crucial role of interpreter Melchor, a Maya man captured during the Hernández de Córdoba expedition. We also discuss the controversial legacy of Grijalva's restraint: did he miss a golden opportunity by not establishing a settlement? The episode contrasts Grijalva's caution with Cortés's audacity, showing how the conquistador drive was not monolithic. Along the way, we touch on Maya politics, Spanish colonial rivalries in Cuba, and the first glimpse of the gold that would ignite the conquest. #JuanDeGrijalva #Yucatán #Maya #Conquistadors #SpanishColonialism #1518 #Potonchán #Champotón #DiegoVelázquez #HernánCortés #Melchor #FranciscoHernándezDeCórdoba #RíoGrijalva #CarlosV #NewSpain #Exploration #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Before Cortés and Pizarro, there was Vasco Núñez de Balboa — a stowaway who became governor, crossed the Isthmus of Panama in 1513, and claimed the Pacific Ocean for Spain. This episode follows his improbable rise, his ruthless consolidation of power in Darién, the betrayal by his father-in-law Pedrarias Dávila, and his execution on trumped-up charges. We explore the clash between conquistador ambition and Spanish crown control, the role of indigenous allies like the Cueva people, and the enduring legacy of Balboa's discovery. A story of exploration, greed, and the high cost of empire. #VascoNúñezdeBalboa #Panama #Darién #PacificOcean #SouthSea #Conquistadors #PedrariasDávila #Cueva #FranciscoPizarro #IsthmusOfPanama #SantaMaríalaAntiguadelDarién #Exploration #16thCentury #SpanishEmpire #FexingoHistory #History #ColonialLatinAmerica #Stowaway Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

When Cortés laid siege to Tenochtitlan in 1521, the final stand happened not in the central island city but in its twin, Tlatelolco. This episode focuses on the last 93 days of the Aztec empire, from the cutting of the Chapultepec aqueduct to the final desperate resistance in Tlatelolco's marketplace. Lucas and Luna explore the tactical decisions of Cuauhtémoc, the role of Tlaxcalan allies in the canal warfare, and the devastating impact of smallpox on the defenders. They also discuss the controversial figure of Xicotencatl the Younger, who led Tlaxcalan forces but was later executed by Cortés. The episode draws on the Florentine Codex and the Lienzo de Tlaxcala to reconstruct the battle from both Spanish and indigenous perspectives, ending with Cortés's ambiguous victory and the sack of the city. #Tlatelolco #Tenochtitlan #Cuauhtémoc #Cortés #Tlaxcala #Xicotencatl #smallpox #Chapultepec #FlorentineCodex #LienzodeTlaxcala #Aztecs #Mesoamerica #Conquistadors #SiegeWarfare #1521 #FexingoHistory #History #MilitaryHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode, we explore the role of war dogs—specifically the alano español and lebrel breeds—in Hernán Cortés's conquest of Mexico. While horses and guns often get the spotlight, Spanish mastiffs and greyhounds were deployed as weapons of terror and tactical advantage, especially during the Noche Triste and the siege of Tenochtitlan. We examine specific instances from Bernal Díaz del Castillo's accounts, the Florentine Codex, and the Lienzo de Tlaxcala, where dogs are depicted attacking indigenous warriors. We also discuss how indigenous allies like the Tlaxcalans quickly adapted, using their own dogs and tactics. The episode touches on the broader canine history of Mesoamerica, from the techichi and xoloitzcuintli to the psychological impact of European war dogs. A nuanced look at a often-overlooked aspect of the conquest. #WarDogs #Cortés #AlanoEspañol #Mesopotamia #NocheTriste #Tenochtitlan #BernalDiaz #FlorentineCodex #LienzoDeTlaxcala #Xoloitzcuintli #Techichi #Tlaxcalans #SpanishConquest #Mesoamerica #History #FexingoHistory #Conquistadors #MilitaryHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore a chilling and often overlooked aspect of the Spanish conquest of Mesoamerica: the use of war dogs. While steel swords and gunpowder get most of the attention, the conquistadors brought trained mastiffs and greyhounds that terrorized indigenous armies and were used as weapons of terror. Lucas details the specific breeds, their training, and how they were deployed in battle, including the infamous killing of Cuauhtémoc's envoys and the use of dogs during the Mixtón War. The episode also examines indigenous perspectives from the Florentine Codex and other sources, showing how these animals became symbols of Spanish brutality. The conversation pivots to the broader implications of using animals in warfare, drawing a line from the conquistadors to modern military working dogs. Lucas also discusses the controversy around the requerimiento and how dogs were sometimes used in lieu of reading the decree. The episode ends with a reflection on the ethics of weaponizing animals and the lasting memory of the 'perros de guerra' in indigenous oral tradition. #WarDogs #Conquistadors #Cortés #Mesoamerica #FlorentineCodex #Aztecs #SpanishConquest #MixtónWar #Mastiff #Greyhound #PerrosDeGuerra #IndigenousHistory #MilitaryDogs #BernalDíaz #Tlaxcala #Tenochtitlan #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In 1521, Hernán Cortés laid siege to Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital, for 75 days. This episode covers the brutal blockades, the use of brigantines built by Tlaxcalan allies, the smallpox epidemic that ravaged the city, and the final assault led by Cortés and García Holguín. We explore the tactical decisions, the role of indigenous allies, and the aftermath—Cuauhtémoc's capture, the destruction of the Templo Mayor, and the birth of Mexico City on the ruins. Learn about the causeways of Tlacopan and Iztapalapa, the fresh water supply cut from Chapultepec, and the key battles at Tlatelolco. A turning point in world history that reshaped the Americas. #SiegeOfTenochtitlan #HernánCortés #AztecEmpire #Cuauhtémoc #TlaxcalanAllies #Brigantines #Smallpox #Tlatelolco #TemploMayor #MexicoCity #GarcíaHolguín #Chapultepec #Causeways #Nahuatl #Mesoamerica #Conquistadors #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In 1519, Hernán Cortés made landfall on the Gulf Coast of Mexico and quickly forged an alliance with the Totonac people of Cempoala, a wealthy city-state resentful of Aztec domination. This episode unpacks how the Totonac ruler, known in Spanish sources as the 'Cacique Gordo' or Fat Chief, welcomed Cortés, provided him with warriors and supplies, and helped him create the first Spanish settlement—Villa Rica de la Veracruz. We examine the political calculations behind this alliance, the Totonac's motivations for rebellion against Moctezuma II, and how Cortés manipulated internal divisions among Mesoamerican polities. We also explore Totonac culture, their role in the tribute system, and the lasting consequences of their partnership with the Spanish, including their later marginalization under colonial rule. Key figures include Cortés, the Cacique Gordo, La Malinche as interpreter, and the Tlaxcalan allies who would later join. Based on Bernal Díaz del Castillo's account and other primary sources. #Cempoala #Totonac #Cortés #Conquistadors #LaMalinche #CaciqueGordo #Veracruz #Aztec #Mesoamerica #IndigenousAlliance #SpanishConquest #BernalDíaz #VillaRica #Tribute #MexicanHistory #Colonialism #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In 1513, Spanish officials drafted the Requerimiento, a legal document read to indigenous peoples before any attack. Written in Spanish and Latin, it demanded submission to the Spanish Crown and the Catholic Church—under threat of enslavement and war. In practice, it was often read from ship decks or to empty villages, a bizarre ritual that reveals the legalistic mindset behind the conquest. This episode explores the origins of the Requerimiento in the aftermath of Antonio de Montesinos's 1511 sermon, its composition by jurist Juan López de Palacios Rubios, and the dramatic first reading by conquistador Pedrarias Dávila in Panama. We follow its use by Hernán Cortés in Mesoamerica, including a famous incident at Cempoala where Cortés staged a reading before the Totonac leaders, with Malinche translating into Nahuatl—and the indigenous response of confused silence. We also examine the document's critics: Bartolomé de las Casas, who called it unjust, and the Salamanca School theologian Francisco de Vitoria, who questioned its legal basis. The episode ends by asking: was the Requerimiento a genuine legal formality or a cynical cover for violence? A story about the strange intersection of law, religion, and empire. #Requerimiento #Conquistadors #SpanishEmpire #IndigenousRights #BartoloméDeLasCasas #JuanLópezDePalaciosRubios #PedrariasDávila #HernánCortés #Malinche #Cempoala #AntonioDeMontesinos #FranciscoDeVitoria #SalamancaSchool #Nahuatl #Mesoamerica #16thCentury #LegalHistory #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo