Mexica: A History Podcast

In Episode 9, Cortes returns to the Valley of Mexico, bringing with him nearly a thousand refreshed Spanish soldiers, and tens of thousands of Tlaxcalan warriors. A brutal siege would grind the Mexica down until their ability to resist was done. This would be the end of Mexica power and culture in the valley.Part 1 - The March to TexcocoCortes returns to the Valley of Mexico and is welcomed by a young prince.Part 2 - The Players Are SetWith Cortes camped in Texcoco, backed by his Tlaxcala and...

In Episode 8, Cortes wears out his welcome in Tenochtitlan and sacrifices Moctezuma in a final attempt at saving his ambition: the greatest city in the New World. The Noche Triste, among the most iconic nights in Mexican history, plays out as the Spanish-Tlaxcala army flees the city.Part 1 - Cortes Returns to TenochtitlanFollowing the Toxcatl Massacre, which decapitated the Mexica nobility in Cortes' absence, he returns to take command of a bad situation. Part 2 - Death of MoctezumaHoled up a...

In Episode 7, Cortes enters the Mexica capital and is welcomed. But things quickly go bad and violence erupts.Part 1 - Entering TenochtitlanCortes, his Spanish soldiers and 4 or 5 thousand Tlaxcalan warriors enter Tenochtitlan along the causeway.Part 2 - Meeting MoctezumaMoctezuma emerges from the crowd to welcome Cortes to Tenochtitlan.Part 3 - Guests in the CapitalThe Spanish are welcomed and granted use of the Palace of Axayacatl, the former Tlatoani.Part 4 - The Hostage MoctezumaIn one of...

In Episode 6, Cortes continues his march toward Tenochtitlan with a fateful and violent stop in Cholula.Part 1 - CholulaCortes and his 400 Spanish soldiers enter Cholula while the nearly 10,000-strong Tlaxcala and Totonac armies wait outside the city. Here they commit one of the worst atrocities ever committed in the Conquest of the New World.Part 2 - Word of the Destruction of CholulaWord of the incomprehensible destruction of Cholula spreads, and with it; fear.Part 3 - Up the VolcanoDiego d...

In Episode 5, Cortes marched inland toward Tenochtitlan and passes through difficult terrain and battles on his way to finding a new and powerful ally.Part 1 - Departing CempoalaCortes and his men depart the Totonac town of Cempoala and head into the lush highlands of the Sierra Madre.Part 2 - Deserts, Valleys and VolcanoesThe Spanish expedition reaches the desert highlands and the men suffer from hypothermia, dehydration and hunger. Part 3 - The Fight to TlaxcalaSeveral local people, in...

In Episode 4, Cortes digs in and settles on the coast. He encounters a new people, the Totonacs, and discovers their conflict with the Aztec Triple Alliance.Part 1 – The TotonacsCortes learns of the Totonacs, who invite him to meet Xicomecoatl, leader of the town of Cempoala. Cortes learns of their subjugation by the Aztecs, and the anger they hold for Moctezuma.Part 2 – CempoalaCortes passes through Cempoala on his way North. The Spaniards are stunned by the beauty of Cempoala. They stay a f...

Episode Three – Along the CoastCortes departs Maya country and heads north, to Triple Alliance (Aztec) territory. A messenger spots the ships, and this begins a year long political dance between Moctezuma and Cortes. Despite Moctezuma's attempts to curtail the Spanish push inland, Cortes discovers divides among the people.Part 1 – Closing out Business in PotonchanFollowing his victory at the Battle of Cintla, Cortes spent two weeks in the regional capital Potonchan, which he had named Santa M...

Cortés, Extremadura and the New World.In Episode 2, we explore Extremadura Spain, home of some of the most vicious conquistadors where Cortes was raised. The narrative follows Cortes from his childhood in the small town of Medellin to his first lessons in genocide in Cuba through the climactic battles with the Maya.Part 1 – Extremadura, Home of ConquistadorsPart 2 – Life in the IndiesPart 3 – TabascoPart 4 – Taking of PotonchanPart 5 – Battle of CintlaEpisode 2 CreditsWritten, produced and pe...

Episode 1 – Moctezuma and the Valley of Mexico.In Episode 1, we meet the Emperor Moctezuma and learn about some of his habits and beliefs. The Tlatelolco Market comes to life and we walk the streets of Tenochtitlan.Part 1 – Tlatoani MoctezumaPart 2 – TenochtitlanPart 3 – Politics of the ValleyPart 4 – Blood Debt to the GodsPart 5 – Prayer and a Messenger from the CoastEpisode 1 CreditsResearched, written, produced and performed by Jeremy Lipps.~ Music ~Intro Coda, acoustic guitar by Valentin ...

Mexica: A History Podcast is an 8-episode, audio narrative about Moctezuma, the Aztec Triple Alliance and the Conquest of Mexico. Historically sourced (from both Indigenous sources and first hand European accounts) with the goal of bringing the rich sights, scents and sounds of the Mexica world to the listener. This podcast takes the listener through the Spanish defeat of Moctezuma, his Mexica people and his Aztec allies in a richly sensual narrative.