Episodes
The Templo Mayor: Aztec Sacred Center Unearthed
In 1978, electrical workers in Mexico City stumbled on an eight-ton stone disk depicting the dismembered goddess Coyolxauhqui. The discovery led to the excavation of the Templo Mayor, the towering pyramid at the heart of Tenochtitlan that the Aztecs rebuilt seven times, each layer burying the last. This episode digs into the temple's twin shrines to Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc, the ritual sacrifices performed on its steps, and the skull rack, or tzompantli, that stood nearby. Lucas and Luna…
The Aztec Ball Game: Sport, Ritual, and Cosmic Struggle
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Mesoamerican ball game—the ullamaliztli—as played by the Aztecs and their neighbors. They discuss the game's rules, the famous court at Tenochtitlan, and the high stakes that could include human sacrifice. The conversation covers the mythological origins of the game, its connection to the Hero Twins of the Popol Vuh, and the practical aspects of playing with a solid rubber ball on stone courts. They also touch on the game's social and political…
The Aztec Bathhouse: Sweat, Ritual, and Healing
In the shadow of Tenochtitlan's towering temples, a simpler building held profound power: the temazcal, or sweat bath. This episode of The Story of Mexico dives into the rituals of purification and healing that took place inside these steaming, low-roofed structures. Lucas and Luna explore the temazcal's role in Aztec daily life, from cleansing warriors after battle to easing childbirth under the watchful eye of the goddess Xochiquetzal. They unpack the blend of herbal steam, copal incense, and…
The Aztec Bathhouse: Sweat, Ritual, and Healing
In this episode of The Story of Mexico, Lucas and Luna step inside the temazcal, the Aztec steam bath that was far more than a place to get clean. From the volcanic rock walls of the temazcalli to the healing hands of the ticitl, the Aztec physician, we explore how sweat and steam were woven into ritual purification, medicinal practice, and everyday life. Learn how the temazcal was used to treat everything from muscle pain to battle fatigue, and how it connected the physical body to the…
The Aztec Sun Stone's Hidden Companion: The Xiuhpohualli
In episode 201 of The Story of Mexico, Lucas and Luna explore the Aztec solar calendar, the xiuhpohualli, a 365-day agricultural count that structured daily life, festivals, and the state's ritual economy. They trace how the Mexica tracked seasons, the role of the calendar in planting and harvesting maize, the great festivals tied to the solar year, and the famous Xiuhmolpilia (New Fire Ceremony) that marked the 52-year cycle. They also examine the stone monuments like the Piedra del Sol and…
Tenochtitlan's Great Dike: Engineering the Lake
For centuries, visitors to Tenochtitlan marveled at its canals, causeways, and floating gardens. But behind that watery spectacle lay a constant threat: flood. Over time, the Aztec capital rose on a shallow, saline lake, and when torrential rains swelled the waters, entire districts could drown. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the extraordinary engineering response — a twelve-mile dike called the Albarradón de Nezahualcóyotl — built in the reign of Moctezuma I. They trace the design of…
The Siege of Tenochtitlan: Water, Hunger, and the Last Days
In 1521, the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan didn't fall to Spanish steel alone—it was starved, thirsted, and drowned. Episode 199 of The Story of Mexico drills into the 75-day siege that ended the Mexica empire, reconstructing the daily terror from indigenous accounts in the Florentine Codex and the Cantares Mexicanos. Lucas and Luna trace Cortés's brutal strategy of cutting the causeways, poisoning the aqueduct, and burning the city block by block, while the defenders—led by Cuauhtémoc—fought…
The Eagle and the Sun: Aztec Huitzilopochtli
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the cult of Huitzilopochtli, the hummingbird god of war and the sun, whose shrine crowned the Templo Mayor in Tenochtitlan. They trace his origins from a wandering tribal patron to the axis of Aztec state religion, and dive into the myth of his birth at Coatepec — the bloody story of Coyolxauhqui and the Serpent Mountain. They look at how the Mexica used his cult to justify empire, the role of human sacrifice in feeding the sun, and the great temple's…
The Aztec Jaguar Warriors: Elite Shock Troops of the Empire
In this episode of The Story of Mexico, Lucas and Luna explore the legendary Aztec Jaguar Warriors — the cuāuhocēlōtl, an elite military order that combined the stealth of the ocelot and the ferocity of the eagle. Lucas traces their origins from the early Mexica victories to their transformation into a prestigious knightly class under Moctezuma I, and explains how the jaguar became a symbol of raw power, often associated with the god Tezcatlipoca. The conversation covers their distinctive dress…
Aztec Gold in Europe: The Assayer Who Melted an Empire
After the fall of Tenochtitlan in 1521, Cortés and his men melted down Aztec gold and silver — tons of it — into ingots for shipment to Spain. But one man, a royal assayer named Juan de la Torre, recorded every bar, every mark, every peso, and his ledger survives. In this episode, Lucas and Luna trace the journey of that looted treasure: from the great halls of Moctezuma II to the quays of Seville, through the minting presses of the Casa de la Moneda, and into the arteries of European finance.…
Chichen Itza and the Maya-Aztec Connection
In this episode of The Story of Mexico, Lucas and Luna explore the surprising links between the Maya city of Chichen Itza and the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan. They discuss the legendary Toltec ruler Quetzalcoatl (also known as Kukulkan), the shared ball game, the cult of the feathered serpent, and the flow of trade goods like turquoise and cacao. The conversation also touches on the limits of Aztec control in the Maya region, the role of the Itza in Yucatan, and how later Aztec emperors used…
The Aztec Calendar: Tonalpohualli and the Sacred Count
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the intricate calendar systems of the Aztec world, focusing on the 260-day ritual count, the tonalpohualli, and its companion, the 365-day solar year, the xiuhpohualli. They discuss how these calendars interlocked in a 52-year cycle, the role of the tonalpuhque (day keepers) who read the signs, and the everyday impact on agricultural, religious, and social life. The episode touches on the New Fire Ceremony, the xiuhmolpilia, and how the calendars guided…
The Aztec New Fire Ceremony: Cosmic Rebirth and Fear
Every 52 years, the Aztec world held its breath. As the Pleiades crossed the zenith, priests on Huixachtlan hill extinguished every fire in the empire, tore out a sacrificial heart, and relit the flame that would carry them through another cycle of existence. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the New Fire Ceremony, or xiuhmolpilia, a ritual of cosmic renewal that fused astronomy, state power, and collective terror. They unpack the 260-day tonalpohualli and 365-day xiuhpohualli calendars…
Cacao and the Aztec Elite: The Drink of Gods and Power
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the role of cacao in the Aztec world, far beyond the chocolate we know today. From the sacred drink of the elite to its use as currency and tribute, cacao was deeply woven into politics, religion, and daily life. They discuss the origins of cacao in Mesoamerica, the labor behind its production, and the rituals surrounding its consumption, including the frothy, spiced beverage favored by Moctezuma II. They also touch on the Spanish encounter with cacao and…
Tlaxcala: The Republic That Beat the Aztecs
The Tlaxcala were the Aztecs' most bitter rivals, a Nahua republic that held out against Tenochtitlan for decades, surrounded on all sides and refusing to submit. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how the Tlaxcala turned their defensive war into a weapon, the flower wars that bought them time, and the fateful decision when Hernán Cortés arrived in 1519. Why did they ally with the Spanish? What did they hope to gain? And how did their choice reshape Mexico forever? We look at the names…
The Aztec Merchant Spy: Pochteca and the Hidden Trade Networks
In this episode of The Story of Mexico, Lucas and Luna explore the secretive world of the pochteca, long-distance merchants of the Aztec Empire who doubled as diplomats, spies, and cultural ambassadors. They uncover how these traders navigated the tricky balance between commerce and state control, using the tianquiztli marketplaces to spread goods and influence across Mesoamerica. From their exclusive guilds and lavish feasts to their risky missions beyond the empire's borders, we see how the…
The Aztec House of Songs: Education and Poetry in Tenochtitlan
In this episode of The Story of Mexico, we step inside the calmecac and the telpochcalli, the two schools that shaped every Aztec child's life. Lucas and Luna explore how the Mexica educated their youth—from the sons of pipiltin nobles learning to read ancient codices to commoner macehualtin training for war. They discuss the role of the cuicacalli, the House of Songs, where young people memorized epic poetry and sacred hymns, and how that training produced the philosopher-king Nezahualcoyotl.…
The Aztec Flower Wars: Ritual Combat and the Politics of Sacrifice
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the flower wars, the ritualized conflicts between the Aztec Empire and its rival city-states like Tlaxcala and Huejotzingo. Unlike typical wars of conquest, these battles were designed to capture prisoners for sacrifice, not to destroy the enemy. Lucas explains how the flower wars (xochiyaoyotl in Nahuatl) were tied to the Aztec belief that the sun required human blood to rise each day, and how they served both religious and political purposes. He…
Malintzin – The Woman Who Bridged Two Worlds
This episode of The Story of Mexico dives into the life and legacy of Malintzin, the indigenous interpreter, advisor, and strategist who reshaped the conquest of the Aztec Empire. Born Malinalli near the border of the Maya and Aztec worlds, she was sold into slavery as a child, eventually given to Hernán Cortés as a slave—but became his indispensable translator and diplomat. Her linguistic mastery—speaking Nahuatl, Maya, and learning Spanish—allowed Cortés to forge alliances with the Tlaxcalans…
Cuauhtémoc and the Fall of Tenochtitlan: The Last Stand of the Aztec Empire
In this episode, we explore the dramatic final chapter of the Aztec Empire: the siege of Tenochtitlan in 1521 and the heroic resistance led by the last huey tlatoani, Cuauhtémoc. We trace the events after Moctezuma's death—the Spanish retreat during La Noche Triste, the rebuilding of Cortés's forces with Tlaxcalan allies, the strategic use of brigantines, and the devastating impact of smallpox on the city's defenders. We discuss the brutal tactics of the siege, including the cutting of the…
Moctezuma II: The Emperor Who Faced Cortés
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the reign of Moctezuma Xocoyotzin, the ninth Aztec emperor who presided over the empire's zenith and its catastrophic encounter with Hernán Cortés. We examine Moctezuma's political reforms, religious anxieties—including the omens that many believed foretold the Spanish arrival—and his controversial diplomatic strategy. Was Moctezuma a weak, indecisive leader or a sophisticated ruler trying to manage an unprecedented crisis? We parse the conflicting…
The Poetry of Kings: Nezahualcoyotl and Aztec Philosophy
Long before the Spanish arrived, the Aztecs had a rich tradition of philosophical poetry that wrestled with life's biggest questions. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the poetry of Nezahualcoyotl, the philosopher-king of Texcoco, who composed verses questioning the afterlife and the nature of truth. They discuss the concept of 'flower and song' (in xochitl in cuicatl) as the only lasting reality, the sources like the Cantares Mexicanos, and how these poems challenge our image of the…
The Aztec Ball Game: Sport, Ritual, and Cosmic Struggle
In this episode of The Story of Mexico, Lucas and Luna explore the Mesoamerican ball game ullamaliztli, a sport that was far more than a game. Played on an I-shaped court called a tlachtli with a solid rubber ball (olli), the game involved using only hips and knees to keep the ball in play. But beneath the athletic competition lay deep religious meaning: the ball represented the sun, and the court was a portal to the underworld. Lucas explains the rules, the sacred myths linking the game to…
Ahuitzotl and the Great Aqueduct of Tenochtitlan
This episode dives into the reign of Ahuitzotl, the eighth huey tlatoani of the Aztec Empire, who ruled from 1486 to 1502. Known as a ruthless conqueror and master builder, Ahuitzotl expanded the empire to its greatest territorial extent, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific coast of Guatemala. But his most enduring legacy was the engineering marvel that brought fresh water to Tenochtitlan: the 16-kilometer aqueduct from Coyoacán, carrying spring water across Lake Texcoco via a double-channel…
The Aztec Sun Stone: Calendar, Sacrifice, and National Myth
In 1790, workers repairing the main plaza of Mexico City unearthed a massive carved stone weighing over 24 tons. It was the Aztec Sun Stone, or Piedra del Sol, one of the most iconic artifacts of the ancient world. But despite its popular name, scholars debate whether it was ever used as a practical calendar. In this episode, we explore the stone's intricate carvings: the central face of Tonatiuh, the sun god; the glyph Nahui Ollin marking the end of the Fifth Sun; and the 20 day signs and…
The Tarascan Empire: Aztec's Greatest Foe
The Aztec Triple Alliance dominated central Mexico in the 15th century, but one enemy repeatedly humbled its armies: the Purépecha (Tarascan) Empire to the west. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the fierce rivalry between Tenochtitlan and Tzintzuntzan, the Tarascan capital. They discuss the decisive battle of 1479 when Emperor Axayacatl led a massive invasion only to be crushed by the cazonci (Tarascan ruler) and his copper-armed warriors. Discover why the Tarascans repelled Aztec…
From Aztlan to Tenochtitlan: The Mexica Migration Story
The Aztec Empire didn't start with grand pyramids and tribute lists. It began with a wandering tribe following a god's command. In this episode, Lucas and Luna trace the legendary migration of the Mexica from their mythical homeland Aztlan through the deserts of Chicomoztoc, their years as mercenaries and outcasts, to the prophesied sign—an eagle devouring a snake on a cactus—that led to the founding of Tenochtitlan in 1325. They explore how history and myth intertwine, what we know from the…
Aztec Medicine: Healers, Herbs, and Obsidian Surgery
In this episode of The Story of Mexico, Lucas and Luna explore the sophisticated medical system of the Aztecs. Long before the Spanish arrived, the Mexica had a rich tradition of healing practiced by specialists known as ticitl. These healers were trained in calmecac schools and had a vast pharmacopoeia of herbal remedies, many recorded in the sixteenth-century Badianus Codex—an illustrated manuscript by indigenous physician Martín de la Cruz. Lucas delves into the use of plants like…
Aztec Tribute System: Codex Mendoza and the Price of Empire
In Episode 177 of The Story of Mexico, Lucas and Luna explore the vast tribute system that fueled the Aztec Empire, using the famous Codex Mendoza as their guide. This 16th-century manuscript, created for the Spanish viceroy Antonio de Mendoza, records the goods and services demanded from conquered provinces — from jaguar skins and quetzal feathers to maize, cacao, and warrior costumes. The discussion reveals how tribute reinforced political control, supported Tenochtitlan's population, and…
Aztec Turquoise Mosaics: Art, Trade, and Cosmic Power
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the stunning art of Aztec turquoise mosaics—small, shimmering objects that were more than luxury goods. They were political tools, cosmic maps, and containers of divine force. Lucas explains how the Mexica obtained turquoise from the distant American Southwest through long-distance trade networks controlled by the pochteca. He walks Luna through the painstaking process of mosaic creation: grinding turquoise chips, shaping them with obsidian tools, and…
The Aztec Tizoc Stone: War, Propaganda, and a Failed Emperor
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Tizoc Stone, a massive carved monolith from the heart of Tenochtitlan that few people know about compared to the famous Sun Stone. They discuss what the stone reveals about the reign of the short-lived huey tlatoani Tizoc, whose military campaigns were so lackluster that his successor had the stone recarved to exaggerate his victories. The conversation covers the stone's imagery, the political and religious symbolism of Aztec monumental art, and what…
The Aztec Acolhua Allies: Nezahualcoyotl and the Triple Alliance
When we talk about the Aztec Empire, we usually focus on Tenochtitlan and the Mexica. But the Triple Alliance that conquered central Mexico was a partnership of three cities: Tenochtitlan, Tlacopan, and Texcoco. Texcoco was the intellectual and cultural heart of the alliance, ruled by the legendary poet-king Nezahualcoyotl. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the story of Texcoco's rise, Nezahualcoyotl's exile and return, his architectural marvels like the aqueduct and the Tetzcotzingo…
The Aztec Chinampas: Floating Gardens That Fed an Empire
Lucas and Luna dive into the ingenious agricultural system that sustained Tenochtitlan: chinampas. They explore how the Mexica transformed swampy lake beds into hyper-productive raised fields, growing maize, beans, squash, tomatoes, and flowers on artificial islands. Lucas explains the construction process — staking out rectangular plots, layering mud and aquatic vegetation, and planting willows to anchor the soil. He describes the system's remarkable yields: up to seven harvests per year…
Aztec Calendar: The Sacred 260-Day Tonalpohualli
In this episode, Lucas and Luna dive into the Aztec sacred calendar, the tonalpohualli, a 260-day ritual cycle that governed every aspect of Mexica life—from birth and naming to warfare and agriculture. They explore how the calendar was structured around 20 day signs and 13 numbers, creating 260 unique combinations. Lucas explains the role of the tonalpohualli in divination, how priests used it to determine fate, and its connection to the 365-day xiuhpohualli solar calendar. They discuss the…
Aztec Featherwork: Amanteca, Quetzal Feathers and Empire
We've covered Aztec warriors, scribes, and emperors — but what about the artists who crafted the empire's most dazzling tribute objects? In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the world of the amanteca, the Aztec featherworkers of Amantlan, a neighborhood in Tenochtitlan dedicated entirely to the art of feather mosaic. We discuss the sacred significance of the quetzal bird's iridescent green feathers, the trade networks that brought parrot, macaw, and hummingbird plumes from as far as the Maya…
The Aztec Jaguar Warriors: Elite Shock Troops of the Empire
In this episode of The Story of Mexico, Lucas and Luna explore the world of the Aztec Jaguar Warriors (ocelotl), the elite shock troops who served as the backbone of the empire's military might. They discuss the rigorous training at the telpochcalli schools, the symbolism of jaguar pelts and obsidian-studded weapons, and the social privileges these warriors earned in Tenochtitlan. The conversation covers the fierce Otomí allies, the ritual aspects of warfare including the capture of sacrificial…
Chocolate: The Bitter Drink of Aztec Wealth and Power
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the role of chocolate—or xocolātl—in Aztec society, far beyond the sweet treat we know today. They discuss how cacao beans were used as currency, the elaborate preparation of the bitter, frothy drink reserved for elites and warriors, and its sacred significance in rituals and offerings to gods like Quetzalcoatl. Lucas explains the tribute system that brought cacao from conquered regions to Tenochtitlan, the social hierarchies reflected in who could drink…
The Aztec Feast: Tlacaxipehualiztli and the Flayed God
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Aztec festival of Tlacaxipehualiztli, or the Feast of the Flaying of Men, dedicated to the god Xipe Totec. They discuss the ritual gladiatorial combat, the flaying of captives, and the symbolic meaning of wearing skins as a representation of renewal and spring. Lucas explains the connection to the calendar, the role of the priesthood, and how the festival was both a religious observance and a display of imperial power. They also touch on the…
The Aztec New Fire Ceremony: Rebirth Every 52 Years
Every fifty-two years, the entire Aztec Empire held its breath. As the Pleiades reached its zenith, priests atop the Hill of the Star (Huixachtlan) watched for the constellation to cross the meridian. If it did, the world would continue. If not, the sun would die forever. This is the story of the New Fire Ceremony (Xiuhmolpilli) — the binding of the years — a ritual of cosmic renewal, human sacrifice, and collective anxiety that united the Mexica, Texcoco, Tlacopan, and their tributaries. Lucas…
Aztec Education: The Calmecac and Telpochcalli Schools
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the two-track education system of the Aztec Empire. They dive into the calmecac, the elite school for nobles that trained priests, scribes, and high officials, and the telpochcalli, the commoners' school that focused on warfare and practical skills. The conversation covers the rigorous curriculum in the calmecac, including astronomy, history, law, and the sacred calendar, as well as the military training in the telpochcalli. They discuss the role of the…
La Malinche: Interpreter, Strategist, and the Making of New Spain
In episode 165 of The Story of Mexico, Lucas and Luna explore the life and legacy of Malintzin — better known as La Malinche — the Nahua woman who served as Hernán Cortés's interpreter, advisor, and intermediary during the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire. They trace her origins as a noblewoman sold into slavery, her linguistic gift that allowed Cortés to communicate with Nahuatl- and Maya-speaking peoples, and her pivotal role in forming alliances with Tlaxcala and other city-states. The…
The Aztec Midwives: Tlamatquiticitl and the Art of Birth
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the role of the tlamatquiticitl, the Aztec midwife, whose work blended spiritual authority, medical knowledge, and ritual expertise. Drawing on the Florentine Codex and Codex Mendoza, they discuss the midwife's training within the calmecac, the use of temazcalli steam baths for labor, and the ceremonies surrounding birth — including the naming ritual and the symbolic burial of the umbilical cord on a battlefield or near the hearth. They touch on the…
The Aztec Siege of Tenochtitlan 1521
In 1521, the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan fell to Spanish conquistadors and their Indigenous allies after a brutal 93-day siege. This episode focuses on the final battle: the tactical decisions of Hernán Cortés, the leadership of Cuauhtémoc, the role of smallpox, and the devastating use of brigantines on Lake Texcoco. Lucas and Luna explore how the city's unique island geography became a death trap, how rival city-states like Tlaxcala turned the tide, and what the siege meant for the birth of…
Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin: The Last Aztec Emperor
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the reign of Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin, the ninth huey tlatoani of Tenochtitlan, whose rule ended with the Spanish conquest. They examine his early military campaigns, his religious reforms, the complex court politics of the Triple Alliance, and the controversial decisions he made when Hernán Cortés arrived. The conversation delves into the tensions between Motecuhzoma's authority as a tlatoani and the prophetic traditions surrounding Quetzalcoatl, the role…
The Aztec Merchant Spies: Pochteca Intelligence Network
Long before Cortés arrived, the Aztec empire ran a sophisticated intelligence operation — not through soldiers, but through merchants. The pochteca were far more than traders: they were trained spies, diplomats, and cultural infiltrators who gathered military intelligence, mapped foreign territories, and even served as advance scouts for conquest. This episode follows a typical pochteca expedition from Tenochtitlan to the distant province of Xoconochco, revealing how these merchant-spies…
The Aztec Concheros Dance: Faith, Resistance, and Revival
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Concheros dance, a tradition that blends Indigenous and Catholic elements and has survived for centuries in Mexico. They discuss its origins in the aftermath of the Spanish conquest, when Indigenous communities preserved their dances by incorporating Spanish instruments like the vihuela and mandolina, leading to the name 'concheros' from the armadillo-shell guitar. Lucas explains the dance's role in maintaining cultural identity during colonial rule…
The Aztec Ballgame: Sport, Ritual, and Cosmic Struggle
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Mesoamerican ballgame ōllamaliztli, a sport that was far more than recreation for the Aztecs. Played in I-shaped courts with a solid rubber ball, the game reenacted the cosmic battle between day and night, with players often risking their lives. They discuss the rules, the paraphernalia like the hacha and yugo, the link to human sacrifice, and the mythic origins involving the Hero Twins from the Popol Vuh. Learn how the tlatoani Moctezuma II used the…
The Aztec Templo Mayor: Heart of a Living Empire
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Templo Mayor of Tenochtitlan — not just as a temple, but as the ritual and political heart of the Mexica Empire. They discuss its dual dedication to Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc, the layers of construction reflecting each huey tlatoani's reign, and the symbolic meaning of the Coyolxauhqui stone. The conversation touches on how the temple was a microcosm of the cosmos, the site of key ceremonies like the New Fire Ceremony, and its rediscovery in the…
The Aztec Sun Stone: Calendar, Sacrifice, and Cosmic Order
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the iconic Aztec Sun Stone, often mislabeled a calendar but actually a monumental sculpture encoding Mexica cosmology, history, and political power. They discuss the stone's discovery in 1790 in Mexico City's Zócalo, its complex carvings depicting the five world ages (Nahui Ollin, Nahui Ehecatl, etc.), the central face of Tonatiuh, the god of the sun, and the glyphs of the 20 day signs (cipactli, ehecatl, calli, etc.) from the tonalpohualli ritual…
The Mexica Flower Wars: Ritual Combat and Sacrificial Politics
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the controversial institution of the xochiyaoyotl, or flower wars, among the Mexica of Tenochtitlan. Initiated under the huey tlatoani Tlacaelel in the mid-15th century, these ritualized battles against neighboring polities like Chalco and Huexotzinco were not about territorial conquest but about capturing prisoners for sacrifice. Lucas delves into the political and religious motivations behind these wars, the debate among scholars over whether they were…
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