Episodes
The Horses That Toppled an Empire: Facts and Legends
This episode of Fexingo History dives into the unlikely role of horses in the Spanish conquest of Mexico. Lucas and Luna explore how sixteen horses became a psychological weapon, a tactical asset, and later a symbol of European superiority—while the reality was far more complicated. From the first alarming cavalry charges against the Tlaxcalans to the narrow causeways of Tenochtitlan where horses were nearly useless, we separate what Bernal Díaz del Castillo recorded from the myths that grew…
Aztec Tribute Lists: The Ledger That Sealed Tenochtitlan's Fate
Long before Cortés arrived, the Mexica ran an empire on tribute. Every conquered altepetl owed maize, cotton, cacao, jade, quetzal feathers — and, at times, human captives for sacrifice. In this episode, Lucas and Luna dig into the Codex Mendoza and its 72 pages of tribute records to see exactly what flowed into Tenochtitlan each year, how the system was enforced, and why it made the empire rich but also deeply hated. They trace the network of pochteca traders and calpixque tribute collectors…
The Aztec Gods Who Shaped the Fall of Tenochtitlan
In this two-hundredth episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna step back from the battles and the sieges to look at the gods who watched over Tenochtitlan's rise and fall. They explore how the Mexica understood their universe through the sun stone and the feathered serpent, and how figures like Huitzilopochtli, Tezcatlipoca, and Quetzalcoatl influenced everything from daily life to Cortés's arrival. With the Florentine Codex and Bernal Díaz del Castillo as guides, they untangle the omen…
The Aztec Merchant Spies Who Paved Cortés's Path
Long before the first stone of Tenochtitlan fell, Aztec pochteca—merchant-spies who doubled as diplomats and traders—were mapping the empire's edges. This episode follows their secret reports to Moctezuma II about the pale strangers landing on the Gulf Coast, the gifts they carried, and the omens that haunted the huey tlatoani. We trace the pochteca's double life: how they disguised themselves as humble vendors to gather intelligence, their monopoly on luxury goods like quetzal feathers and…
The Aztec Death Whistle: Sound of Terror Before Battle
In this episode, Lucas and Luna uncover the chilling story of the Aztec death whistle — a small, skull-shaped instrument that produced a sound so terrifying the Spanish described it as 'the screams of the underworld.' Discovered in the 1990s in the hands of a sacrificed victim at the Templo Mayor, these whistles have puzzled archaeologists for decades. Were they used in battle to demoralize enemies, in rituals to honor the gods, or as a tool for psychological warfare? Lucas explains the science…
Cortes's 500 Men: The Armies Behind the Conquistadors
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore the pivotal alliances that allowed Hernán Cortés to topple the Aztec Empire with just 500 Spaniards. Contrary to popular myth, the conquest was not a solo act of Spanish genius but a massive indigenous coalition. We trace how Cortés leveraged the Totonacs of Cempoala, the Tlaxcalans under Xicotencatl the Elder, and the internal politics of the Mexica to build an army that outnumbered Tenochtitlan's defenders. We examine the crucial role…
The Aztec Cacao Trade and Cortés's Chocolate
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the world of Aztec cacao, from its divine origins to its role as currency and luxury drink. They discuss how cacao beans were used in the tribute system, the preparation of xocoatl, and the social status attached to chocolate. The conversation also covers the first European encounters with chocolate, including Cortés's letters to Charles V and the transformation of the beverage in Spain, where it was sweetened and spiced. Along the way, they touch on the…
The Aztec Jaguar Warriors: Elite Shock Troops of the Empire
In this episode, we dive deep into the world of the Aztec Jaguar Warriors, the ocelotl elite who fought alongside eagle warriors as the empire's most feared shock troops. We explore their training in the calmecac and telpochcalli, their distinctive jaguar-skin suits and obsidian-studded macuahuitl, and their role in the flower wars (xochiyaoyotl) and the Spanish conquest. We discuss how they were portrayed in the Florentine Codex and Lienzo de Tlaxcala, and how their tactics and symbolism…
The Aztec Jaguar Warriors: Elite Shock Troops of the Empire
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Aztec Jaguar Warriors — the cuāuhpipiltin who fought with obsidian-studded macuahuitl and wore ocelot pelts into battle. They trace the warriors' training from the calmecac and telpochcalli, their role in the xochiyaoyotl flower wars, and their devastating effectiveness against the Spanish at the Noche Triste. Along the way, they untangle the myth from the reality: were the jaguar knights truly elite, or were they just one layer of a complex military…
The Aztec Eagle Warriors: Elite Shock Troops of the Empire
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore the elite military order of the Aztec Eagle Warriors — the cuāuhtin. They uncover how these warriors were trained from childhood in calmecac schools, earned their rank through capturing prisoners rather than killing, and fought with obsidian-studded clubs and feathered shields. The conversation moves from the warrior's initiation rites to their role in the Flower Wars, their brutal combat tactics during the siege of Tenochtitlan, and…
Cortés's Lost 500: The Men Who Toppled an Empire
In 1519, Hernán Cortés landed in Mexico with about 500 men. By 1521, the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan lay in ruins. How did such a small force bring down an empire of millions? This episode zooms in on the everyday soldiers and captains who made the conquest possible — the men who survived the Noche Triste, built the brigantines, and fought through the 93-day siege. We meet Bernal Díaz del Castillo, the chronicler-soldier; Pedro de Alvarado, the impulsive captain; and Gonzalo de Sandoval, the…
The Aztec Feast of Toxcatl and the Massacre That Followed
In this episode, Lucas and Luna revisit the pivotal moment when a religious festival turned into a bloodbath, changing the course of the Aztec-Spanish conflict. They explore the significance of the feast of Toxcatl, dedicated to the god Tezcatlipoca, and how its violation by Pedro de Alvarado ignited a rebellion that nearly destroyed Cortés's expedition. The discussion draws on firsthand accounts from Bernal Díaz del Castillo and the Florentine Codex, unraveling the mix of ritual, politics, and…
The Aztec Skull Rack: Tzompantli and the Ritual of Death
In Episode 190 of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore the tzompantli — the iconic Aztec skull rack that stood beside the Templo Mayor in Tenochtitlan. They dig into what the Spanish conquistadors described when they first saw it, what Mexica rituals and beliefs actually drove the practice, and how scholars today separate fact from Spanish exaggeration. From the Huey Tzompantli of the capital to the smaller racks in subject cities, they trace how this monument became a symbol of both…
Aztec Gold: Cortés's Obsession and Tenochtitlan's Fall
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the role of gold in the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire. From Moctezuma's lavish gifts to Cortés's relentless pursuit of treasure, they examine how the lure of gold shaped the conquistadors' decisions, fueled conflict, and ultimately influenced the fate of Tenochtitlan. Along the way, they discuss the legendary gold of the Aztec treasury, the quetzal feathers and jade that were more valuable to the Mexica, the fate of the treasure after the Noche…
The Aztec Flower Wars: Ritual Combat or Real Conquest?
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore the xochiyaoyotl — the Flower Wars — the ritualized conflicts between the Mexica and their rivals that historians still debate today. Were these battles a sacred covenant with the gods, a way to train warriors and gather captives for sacrifice, or a cold political strategy to weaken enemies while keeping them alive? Drawing on the Florentine Codex, the Lienzo de Tlaxcala, and the words of Bernal Díaz del Castillo, they uncover how…
The Aztec Ball Game Cortés Misunderstood
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore the ceremonial ball game of the Aztecs — the ullamaliztli — and how Hernán Cortés and his men completely misunderstood it. Lucas unpacks the deep religious significance of the game, which was played in the shadow of the Templo Mayor and tied to the movements of the sun and the fate of the cosmos. He describes the famous tlachtli courts, the heavy rubber ball that could injure or kill, and the high-stakes matches where captives might be…
The Aztec Aqueducts and the Water War That Doomed Tenochtitlan
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the sophisticated water system of Tenochtitlan, focusing on the Chapultepec aqueduct and the Mexica's mastery of hydraulic engineering. They discuss how the city's reliance on a single aqueduct became its Achilles' heel during the Spanish siege, leading to a desperate struggle over water that foreshadowed the empire's collapse. The conversation weaves in details from the Florentine Codex and Bernal Díaz del Castillo, revealing how Cortés exploited this…
The Tribute That Built Tenochtitlan and Doomed It
In Episode 185, Lucas and Luna explore the Mexica tribute system—the economic backbone of the Aztec Empire—and how Hernán Cortés weaponized it to secure indigenous allies. Drawing on the Codex Mendoza and Bernal Díaz del Castillo, they examine how conquered cities like Cempoala and Tlaxcala were burdened with tequitl (tribute) in goods, labor, and captives, fueling resentment that Cortés exploited. They discuss the specific tribute items: cotton mantles, jade, feathers, cacao, and the grim…
The Water War: How Cortés Cut Tenochtitlan's Lifeline
The siege of Tenochtitlan wasn't just won by swords and smallpox. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the critical role of water infrastructure: the Chapultepec aqueduct that supplied the island city with fresh spring water, how Cortés targeted it during the 93-day siege, and the desperate measures the Mexica took to survive. They discuss the engineering marvel of the aqueduct, the daily water delivery system via canoes, and the moment the taps ran dry. Drawing on the Florentine Codex and…
The 93-Day Siege That Destroyed Tenochtitlan
The Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire is often reduced to a single battle, but the fall of Tenochtitlan was a grueling 93-day siege that combined Spanish steel, native alliances, and relentless attrition. In this episode, we walk the causeways with Cortés's brigantines, dive into the Aztec canoe ambushes, and explore how Cuauhtémoc's final stand at Tlatelolco ended a civilization. We cover the tactics of the macuahuitl, the cutting of the Chapultepec aqueduct, and the role of the Tlaxcalan…
The Toxcatl Massacre: Cortés's Fatal Mistake
In May 1520, while Hernán Cortés was away fighting Pánfilo de Narváez, his lieutenant Pedro de Alvarado perpetrated a brutal massacre on the unarmed Aztec nobility gathered for the festival of Toxcatl in the Templo Mayor. This episode examines the events leading up to that massacre, the motivations behind Alvarado's attack, and its catastrophic consequences: the death of Moctezuma, the uprising of Tenochtitlan, and the Spanish flight during the Noche Triste. We explore the cultural significance…
Cuauhtémoc: The Last Aztec Emperor's Torture and Legacy
In this episode, we explore the final chapter of the Aztec Empire through the story of Cuauhtémoc, the last Huey Tlatoani. After the death of Cuitláhuac from smallpox, Cuauhtémoc, at just 25, rallied the Mexica for a desperate defense of Tenochtitlan. We cover the 80-day siege, his failed negotiations with Cortés, his capture while fleeing by canoe, and the horrific torture—his feet burned with oil—to reveal the location of Moctezuma's treasure. We examine his stoic silence, the legend of…
The Smallpox Epidemic That Toppled the Aztecs
When Cortés returned to Tenochtitlan in 1520, he found a city already ravaged by an invisible enemy. A single infected Spanish slave, Francisco de Eguía, had unleashed smallpox on a population with no immunity. Within weeks, the disease killed the new Huey Tlatoani Cuitláhuac and thousands of warriors, breaking the backbone of Aztec resistance. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how this biological catastrophe — which the Mexica called cocoliztli — turned the tide of the siege, and why…
The Requerimiento: Spain's Legal Justification for Conquest
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna examine the Requerimiento—the Spanish legal document read aloud before conquest—and its role in Hernán Cortés's campaign against the Aztec Empire. Discover how this bizarre ultimatum, written in Castilian and often delivered through interpreters like Malintzin, demanded that indigenous peoples accept Spanish authority and Christianity or face war. Lucas explains how Cortés used the Requerimiento as a legal cover for his invasion, reading it to…
Cuitláhuac: The 80-Day Emperor Who Almost Saved the Aztecs
When Moctezuma died in Spanish custody, the Mexica empire needed a leader fast. They turned to Cuitláhuac, his younger brother and a seasoned commander who had already fought the Spanish at Cholula. In just eighty days as Huey Tlatoani, he orchestrated the devastating Noche Triste that drove Cortés's battered army from Tenochtitlan, inflicted massive casualties on the Tlaxcalan allies, and nearly turned the tide of the conquest. But smallpox, introduced by the invaders, struck him down before…
The Mysterious Death of Moctezuma: Murder or Martyr?
In Episode 177 of our Cortés series, we unravel one of the conquest's greatest mysteries: the death of the Mexica emperor Moctezuma Xocoyotzin. Did he die from stones thrown by his own people, or was he murdered by Spanish hands? We examine the conflicting accounts from Spanish conquistadors like Bernal Díaz del Castillo and Cortés's own letters, alongside the indigenous testimony preserved in the Florentine Codex. The episode explores the political chaos after the Toxcatl massacre, Moctezuma's…
Malintzin: The Interpreter Who Shaped Cortés's Conquest
This episode zooms in on one of the most controversial and pivotal figures of the Spanish conquest of Mexico: Malintzin, better known as La Malinche or Doña Marina. Born into a noble Nahua family, she was sold into slavery as a child and eventually became Hernán Cortés's interpreter, diplomat, and strategic advisor — playing a central role in the fall of Tenochtitlan. Lucas and Luna examine her linguistic talents (speaking Nahuatl, Maya, and quickly learning Spanish), her key interventions…
Sahagún's Codex: Saving Aztec Knowledge from Oblivion
After the fall of Tenochtitlan, most Aztec codices were burned by Spanish priests like Juan de Zumárraga, who saw them as pagan works. But one Franciscan friar, Bernardino de Sahagún, chose a different path. Over decades, he learned Nahuatl, interviewed Mexica elders and former nobility, and compiled their knowledge into a twelve-volume encyclopedia: the Florentine Codex. This episode explores Sahagún's meticulous methods, his use of indigenous scribes and artists, the bilingual structure of…
The Mexica Death Whistle Cortés Heard Before Battle
Episode 174 of Fexingo History dives into one of the most haunting sounds of the conquest: the Mexica death whistle. Lucas and Luna explore the archaeological evidence, the ritual context, and the psychological warfare behind these skull-shaped whistles that terrified Spanish soldiers. They discuss the 1999 discovery of a mass grave at the Templo Mayor, where 49 decapitated bodies were found alongside ceramic whistles. The episode traces the whistles’ use in human sacrifice rituals, their…
The Poison Gift That Opened Tenochtitlan's Gates
In November 1519, the first meeting between Hernán Cortés and Moctezuma Xocoyotzin ended with an exchange of gifts. Cortés received a disc of gold and silver the size of a cartwheel, and a feathered headdress still disputed between museums today. But the Spanish gave something in return that would change the course of the conquest: a glass bead necklace that carried smallpox. In this episode, Lucas traces the path of the virus from a Spanish slave ship in the Caribbean to the causeways of…
The Battle of Otumba: How the Mexica Almost Destroyed Cortés
On the night of July 7, 1520, Hernán Cortés and his battered army stumbled out of Tenochtitlan after La Noche Triste, having lost hundreds of men and most of their treasure. But the worst was yet to come. Just days later, a massive Mexica army cornered them on the plains of Otumba. This episode dives into the desperate, close-quarters battle that became the turning point of the conquest. We explore the war leaders on both sides—the Mexica commander Cihuacoatl (often mistaken for Matlatzincatl)…
The Mexica Nobility Who Betrayed Moctezuma for Cortés
When Hernán Cortés marched on Tenochtitlan in 1519, he didn't just defeat the Mexica — he exploited deep internal divisions among the indigenous ruling class. This episode focuses on a rarely told story: the Mexica nobles who actively sided with the Spanish, betraying their own Huey Tlatoani Moctezuma Xocoyotzin and later Cuauhtémoc. We explore the role of Ixtlilxochitl II of Texcoco, who provided crucial military intelligence and manpower, and the defection of the lord of Coyoacán. Using…
The Horses That Conquered the Aztecs
Everyone knows Cortés brought horses to Mexico, but few know the real story of how those animals shaped the conquest. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Spanish cavalry's impact on the battlefield, the Mexica's terrified reaction to mounted warriors, and the logistical nightmare of keeping horses alive in a hostile land. They discuss the specific horses Cortés brought—including the legendary Morzillo—and how indigenous allies like the Tlaxcalans learned to counter cavalry tactics. The…
The Mexica Priest Who Foretold Doom Before Cortés
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the overlooked figure of Tlacaelel, the Mexica priest and advisor who reshaped Aztec religion and history long before Cortés arrived. They discuss his role in codifying the Flower Wars, his promotion of Huitzilopochtli above other gods, and how his prophecies may have primed Moctezuma for fatalistic surrender. The conversation also examines the legend of Quetzalcoatl's return, the burning of codices, and the reinterpretation of Mexica mythology after the…
The Mexica Calendar System That Cortés Destroyed
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the sophisticated Mexica calendar system and how its destruction was a deliberate act of cultural erasure by Hernán Cortés. They discuss the tonalpohualli (260-day sacred calendar) and the xiuhpohualli (365-day solar calendar), their role in agriculture, ritual, and governance, and the massive stone calendar—the Sun Stone—that was buried after the conquest. The conversation covers how Cortés and the Franciscans systematically targeted Mexica timekeeping…
Cortés's Siege Engineers: The Forgotten Spanish and Indigenous Innovators
In Episode 167 of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore the engineering marvels and logistical ingenuity behind Hernán Cortés's conquest of the Aztec Empire. While popular history credits brute force and disease, this episode dives into the forgotten story of Martín López, the Spanish shipbuilder who designed and built the thirteen bergantines (brigantines) that gave Cortés control of Lake Texcoco and broke the Mexica defensive network. We also uncover the crucial role of Tlaxcalan…
The Mexica Flower Wars and Cortés's Conquest
Long before Cortés landed, the Mexica fought ritualized 'flower wars' — xochiyaoyotl in Nahuatl — to capture prisoners for sacrifice, not to conquer territory. This episode explores how that martial tradition shaped the Spanish invasion. We examine why the Tlaxcalans, despite decades of warfare, remained independent and became Cortés's key allies; how Mexica battle tactics, designed for capture rather than killing, disadvantaged them against Spanish and Tlaxcalan forces who fought to destroy…
Cortés's Lost Allies: The Totonac Revolt That Started It All
We often hear about the Tlaxcalans as Cortés's key indigenous allies, but the first crack in the Aztec Empire came from a different people: the Totonacs of Cempoala. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how a coastal tribute revolt spiraled into a full-blown alliance that gave Cortés his first foothold, his first major battle, and the critical mass of porters and warriors he needed to march inland. They examine the Cempoala leader Chicomacatl (also known as the Fat Cacique), the Totonac…
The Xicotencatl Rivalry: Cortés's Fateful Tlaxcalan Split
While Tlaxcalan help is famous, less known is the internal war that nearly stopped Cortés before Tenochtitlan. This episode dives into the clash between Xicotencatl the Elder and his son Xicotencatl the Younger over whether to ally with the Spanish. We explore the younger Xicotencatl's battlefield brilliance, his stubborn resistance, and how his eventual betrayal and execution by Cortés foreshadowed the fate of indigenous allies. Drawing on the Lienzo de Tlaxcala and Bernal Díaz del Castillo…
Cortés's Missing Body: The Mystery of His Final Resting Place
In 1547, Hernán Cortés died in Spain, but his body began a centuries-long journey across continents and through secret vaults, hidden chapels, and threatened desecrations. This episode traces the bizarre afterlife of the conquistador's remains — from his first burial in Seville to his reburial in Mexico City, the threats from Mexican nationalists who wanted to destroy his bones, and the secret Freemason plot to smuggle them to Italy. We explore how Cortés's body became a political football…
Cortés's Cannon: How a Few Guns Conquered an Empire
In 1519, Hernán Cortés landed in Mexico with a handful of iron cannon and a clutch of arquebuses — weapons that had never been seen in the New World. This episode examines the tactical role of European gunpowder artillery in the conquest of the Aztec Empire. We break down the types of cannon Cortés carried: lombards, falconets, and the massive bronze pieces he later cast from church bells. We trace their use from the initial skirmishes at Cempoala through the siege of Tenochtitlan, where…
The Mexica Jaguar Warriors: Cortés's Most Feared Foes
When Hernán Cortés marched into the Valley of Mexico in 1519, he faced an enemy unlike any the Spanish had encountered: the Mexica military machine, led by its most elite shock troops—the jaguar warriors. These weren't just skilled fighters; they were initiates of a warrior society that blended religion, politics, and warfare into a single ferocious identity. In this episode, Lucas and Luna follow the path of a typical cuāuhocēlōtl—an eagle or jaguar warrior—from his training in the calmecac…
The Mexica Warrior-Spider Goddess and Cortés's Siege
Episode 160 of How Hernan Cortes Destroyed the Aztec Empire with 500 Men turns to a figure often overlooked: the Mexica spider-goddess of war, death, and childbirth, Toci, also known as Tlazolteotl or, in her warrior aspect, Teotenantzin. We explore how Mexica women—and the goddess who embodied their power—shaped the defense of Tenochtitlan during the siege of 1521. Lucas and Luna discuss ritual warfare, female warriors (the cuachicqueh and even rare women trained in combat), and how Cortés…
The Siege of Tenochtitlan: Why Water Was Cortés's Deadliest Weapon
In 1521, Hernán Cortés didn't conquer Tenochtitlan with guns and swords alone — he cut off the city's water supply. This episode explores the Chapultepec aqueduct, the Mexica's engineering marvel that brought fresh water to the island capital, and how Cortés's destruction of it turned the tables. We discuss the aqueduct's construction under Moctezuma Ilhuicamina, the daily life of water carriers (atlatequitl), and the strategic decision to sever the flow during the siege. Drawing on the…
The Mexica Tribute System That Funded Cortés's Conquest
We often hear that Cortés toppled an empire with just a few hundred men, but that story leaves out the vast indigenous logistics that made it possible. This episode dives into the Mexica tribute system—a massive network that extracted food, textiles, gold, and thousands of warriors from conquered provinces. We trace how Cortés weaponized that system: turning former tributaries into allies, seizing warehouses full of cotton armor and cacao, and redirecting the flow of wealth that once sustained…
The Obsidian Trade That Funded Cortés's Enemies
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the obsidian economy of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, focusing on the vast deposits at Pachuca and the trade networks that supplied blades, tools, and weapons across the Aztec Empire. They discuss how obsidian was mined, worked, and distributed, and how control of this resource shaped political alliances — and resistance to Cortés. The conversation touches on the Tecoaque site, the role of otomi miners, and the connection between obsidian and the macuahuitl.…
Cortés's Tlaxcalan Allies: The Indigenous Army That Conquered Mexico
Everyone knows Cortés conquered the Aztecs with just a few hundred Spaniards. But the real story is far more complex: Cortés's army was overwhelmingly indigenous. In this episode, we explore the Tlaxcalan people — the sworn enemies of the Mexica who became Cortés's most crucial allies. We trace their decision to ally with the Spaniards after a fierce battle, their role as the backbone of the siege of Tenochtitlan, and the long-term consequences of their choice. We also meet Xicotencatl the…
The Mexica Armies That Almost Stopped Cortés
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore the military forces that opposed Cortés during the conquest of Mexico—specifically the armies of the Mexica and their allies. They examine how the Mexica organized their warriors, from the elite cuauhtli and ocelotl knightly orders to the massed commoner levies. The discussion covers the weapons and tactics that made the Mexica formidable, including the macuahuitl, atlatl, and slings, and how these were used in the siege of…
Cortés's Forgotten Allies Beyond Tlaxcala
In this episode of How Hernan Cortes Destroyed the Aztec Empire with 500 Men, Lucas and Luna explore the lesser-known indigenous allies who fought alongside the Spanish. While the Tlaxcalans are famous, Cortés also secured support from the Totonacs of Cempoala, the Otomi, and even the Mexica of Texcoco under Ixtlilxochitl II. We examine why these groups chose to ally with Cortés, how their motivations ranged from rebellion against Aztec tribute to internal dynastic feuds, and how their…
The Mexica Aqueduct Crisis: Cortés's Final Siege Weapon
In 1521, after the Noche Triste and the smallpox epidemic, Hernán Cortés understood that Tenochtitlan was too strong to take by frontal assault. So he turned the Mexica's own hydraulic genius against them. This episode follows the engineering and politics behind Cortés's decision to sever the Chapultepec aqueduct — the city's sole source of fresh water. We explore how the Mexica had built the system under Moctezuma Ilhuicamina, how the Tlaxcalans showed Cortés the vulnerable limestone channels…
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