387. The Fall of the Aztecs: Prisoners of Montezuma (Part 4)
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Nov 13, 2023
In 1519, Hernán Cortés arrives in Tenochtitlan, sparking a mixture of awe and tension. Montezuma's complex tactics blur the lines between host and captor, raising questions about agency in this power struggle. The chilling Aztec sacrificial rituals showcase a culture caught between reverence and violence. As Cortés navigates this foreign land, dramatic turns and a risky hostage situation set the stage for a historical confrontation that could change everything.
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Cortés's Unease
Hernán Cortés, in Tenochtitlan, reflects on his risky journey.
He contemplates the foreign empire, the language barrier, and potential dangers.
insights INSIGHT
Historical Uncertainty
Historians remain uncertain about the events that unfolded in Tenochtitlan.
The available sources are treacherous, leading to conflicting theories.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Temple Visit and Culture Clash
Cortés and his men visit the Great Temple, amazed by its size and grandeur.
Inside, they witness human sacrifices and idols covered in blood, a stark cultural clash.
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Fifth Sun offers a nuanced and empathetic portrayal of the Aztecs, drawing from indigenous sources written in Nahuatl. It challenges traditional narratives by presenting the Aztecs as active agents in their own history, rather than passive victims of colonization. The book explores their complex society, political strategies, and resilience in the face of conquest.
Conquistadores
Fernando Cervantes
In *Conquistadores*, Fernando Cervantes provides a nuanced account of the Spanish conquest of the Americas, drawing on previously untapped primary sources to immerse readers in the late-medieval world of 16th-century Spain. The book explores the complex motivations and moral contradictions of the conquistadors, offering a balanced perspective between the romanticized narratives of adventure and the harsh realities of exploitation and violence.
The Fall of the Aztecs
The Fall of the Aztecs
Dominic Sandbrook
The year is 1519. Hernán Cortés and his Spanish comrades have arrived in Tenochtitlan, the capital city of the Aztecs, and have been welcomed by their Emperor Montezuma. But what is Montezuma planning? Are the Spaniards his guests - or his prisoners? Has he really acknowledged them as his overlords? Or are they destined for a rather darker fate, as the latest inmates in his mysterious zoo?
In today’s episode, Tom and Dominic follow the Spaniards as they explore the magnificent city of Tenochtitlan, from the crowds in the markets to the blood-drenched shrines atop the temple pyramids.
The days pass, the smiles fade and the tension rises. And then Cortés hears news from the coast that changes everything, and must roll the dice one more time in the greatest gamble of all …
*Dominic’s book The Fall of the Aztecs is available now from bookshops across the UK - the perfect Christmas present!*
*The Rest Is History Live Tour 2023*:
Tom and Dominic are back on tour this autumn! See them live in New Zealand and Australia!
The Rest Is History 
