Dive into the riveting world of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, where political intrigue resembles a Mafia saga. Follow Nezahualcoyotl, the poet-king, as he grapples with revenge, betrayal, and the ruthless ambition of Tezozomoc. Experience a tale filled with shocking twists, including unexpected appearances of beheaded enemies and human sacrifices. Discover how these historical figures navigated treacherous alliances and shaped the rise of Mexica nationalism, all while leaving a complex legacy that echoes through time.
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Nezahualcoyotl's Flight
In 1418, 16-year-old Nezahualcoyotl and his father, the king of Texcoco, hid in the mountains.
Tezozomoc's forces pursued them, forcing the king to tell Nezahualcoyotl to hide and recover the kingdom.
insights INSIGHT
Key Figures
Nezahualcoyotl is a beloved pre-Columbian figure in Mexican history.
Tezozomoc, the "Mesoamerican Godfather," laid the foundation for the Aztec empire.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Tezozomoc's Rise
Tezozomoc, whose name meant "Angry Stone Face," was born in the early 1300s.
He orchestrated a power shift that established the Tepanecs as the dominant force in the Valley of Mexico.
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The Princess Bride
William Goldman
The Princess Bride is a modern fantasy classic that tells the story of Buttercup, one of the world's most beautiful women, and her farm boy lover Westley. The narrative is presented as an 'abridgment' of a nonexistent work by 'S. Morgenstern', allowing Goldman to interject his own commentary and personal anecdotes. The story involves quests for riches, revenge, power, and true love, featuring memorable characters such as the criminal mastermind Vizzini, the giant Fezzik, and the swordsman Inigo Montoya. The tale is filled with swashbuckling adventures, daring feats, and a deep exploration of true love and its challenges[1][2][5].
The Hobbit
or There and Back Again
J.R.R Tolkien
Published in 1937, 'The Hobbit' is a children's fantasy novel that introduces readers to the richly imagined world of Middle-earth. The story follows Bilbo Baggins, a home-loving hobbit, who is persuaded by Gandalf to join Thorin and his twelve dwarves on a quest to reclaim their treasure from the dragon Smaug. During the journey, Bilbo encounters various creatures, including trolls, goblins, and the mysterious Gollum, and discovers a magical ring that renders the wearer invisible. The novel is a prequel to 'The Lord of the Rings' and explores themes of personal growth, courage, and unexpected heroism[2][4][5].
The Lord of the Rings
J.R.R Tolkien
The Lord of the Rings, written by J.R.R. Tolkien, is an epic high fantasy novel set in Middle-earth. The story follows Frodo Baggins, a hobbit who inherits the One Ring from his uncle Bilbo. The Ring, forged by Sauron, holds the power to control all other Rings of Power and must be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom to prevent Sauron's return. Frodo is joined by a fellowship of other characters, including Gandalf the Grey, Samwise Gamgee, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Boromir, as they embark on a dangerous quest across Middle-earth. The novel explores themes of good vs. evil, the corrupting influence of power, and the struggle between fate and free will[3][4][5].
The Aztecs
Richard F. Townsend
Swift Sword
Swift Sword
Doyle Glass
“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer” Mario Puzo
“Grant me revenge!” from Conan the Barbarian, 1982
“I am immortal” Nezahualcoyotl
I originally created this episode years ago, as I was researching the Spaniards’ invasion of the Mexica (aka Aztec) empire, when I run into this little nugget of a story, which predates the arrival of the Spaniards. This is the first time this episode gets to be released to the public outside of any paywalls. This is basically a real historical version of what would happen if we were to mix the plot of The Godfather with the plot of The Lion King in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. Our key characters include Tezozomoc, a ruthless, Machiavellian genius power-player who ruled over much of the Central Valley of Mexico, and his nemesis Nezahualcoyotl, the poet-king of Texcoco. This episode features political intrigue, Mafia-style hits, the surprise of seeing a beheaded enemy show up with a head on his shoulders, human sacrifice, an unyielding quest for revenge, and a glimpse at the early days of the Aztecs. With characters named Angry Stone Face and Hungry Coyote, you know this has to be a good story…
History on Fire 
