“Conquer or die! Conquer or die! Conquer or die!”

Making a decision that will change the course of history, Hernán Cortés chooses to disobey his orders and head inland in search of the gold-rich empire of the mysterious Montezuma. Ahead lie the mountain passes that will lead him down into the Valley of Mexico, a vast lake shimmering at its heart.

In the middle of the lake lies the island city of Tenochtitlan, a vision of bustling marketplaces and soaring pyramids. But are the Spaniards advancing as conquerors - or are they walking into a trap? And just what is Montezuma planning?

Join Dominic and Tom to explore perhaps the most astonishing encounter in all human history - not just the meeting of two extraordinary characters, but a collision of cultures that will have dark and bloody consequences …

*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!

Buy your tickets here: restishistorypod.com

Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Producer: Theo Young-Smith

Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor

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Episode highlights

Historical Figure Representation and Influence on Historiography

The Decision to Turn Inland and the Role of the Interpreter

Unknown Political Challenges and a Cliffhanger

The Relationship Between the Clashkalans and the Spanish