Mexica: A History Podcast

In this follow-up episode we explore the rulers of Tenochtitlan, or the tlatoque. From the first tlatoani, Acamapichtli, to the final traditional tlatoani, Cuauhtémoc, we'll explore all nine "Aztec rulers." In this episode Tenochtitlan emerges from the marshes of Lake Texcoco, the first three rulers find themselves subject to King Tezozomoc.

Part 1 - Acamapichtli, the first ruler of Tenochtitlan.

Part 2 - Huitzilihuitl, the second ruler of Tenochtitlan.

Part 3 - Chimalpopoca, the third ruler of Tenochtitlan.

~ Music Credits ~
Araucanian War Song by Down for the Count
Away by Meydän
Daniel Birch, www.danielbirchmusic.com
Breathe by Daniel Birch
Sustained Light by Daniel Birch

Episode 10 Credits
Written, researched, performed and produced by Jeremy Lipps.

In Episode 9, Cortes returns to the Valley of Mexico, bringing with him nearly a thousand refreshed Spanish soldiers, and tens of thousands of Tlaxcalan warriors. A brutal siege would grind the Mexica down until their ability to resist was done. This would be the end of Mexica power and culture in the valley.

Part 1 - The March to Texcoco
Cortes returns to the Valley of Mexico and is welcomed by a young prince.

Part 2 - The Players Are Set
With Cortes camped in Texcoco, backed by his Tlaxcala and Acolhua allies, and Cuauhtemoc and the remainder of the Mexica in Tenochtitlan - the sides were set.

Part 3 - Siege of Tenochtitlan
Cortes tightens his grip around the island of Tenochtitlan, squeezing the life out of the Mexica inside.

Part 4 - Mexica Abandon Tenochtitlan
With their forces depleted, their food gone, the Tenochca Mexica abandon Moctezuma's Palace, the Sacred Precinct and the rest of Tenochtitlan and head north to shelter with their Mexica neighbors in Tlatelolco.

Part 5 - Cortes Gets Routed
Feeling eager to close out the siege, Cortes' men charged into a fatal mess, nearly costing Cortes his life.

Part 6 - Amaxac
Now down to their final sliver of land, their final people, the Mexica huddle in a place called Amaxac.

Part 7 - The End of the Mexica
The remaining women, children and elderly were allowed to leave while the leadership is taken into Spanish custody, marking the end of Mexica power.

Part 8 - The Valley After the Mexica
Cortes immediately began work on a new colonial city, burying Tenochtitlan beneath.

Part 9 - Mexico Today
A brief discussion on my personal views of what Mexica is today, the legacy of the Mexica andother Indigenous people, and the concept of mestizo.

Episode 9 Credits
Written, researched, performed and produced by Jeremy Lipps.

~ Music ~
Away by Meydän
Surreal Forest by Meydän
Fourth Imaginary City by cryptic scenery
Daniel Birch, www.danielbirchmusic.com
Breathe by Daniel Birch
Sustained Light by Daniel Birch
Fourth Imaginary City by cryptic scenery
Fuego de Mateo by Down for the Count
Guitar Percussion by Bangcorrupt
Taiko drum sequence for looping the sacrifice by Infinita08
Intro coda acoutsic guitar by Valentin Sosnitskiy

~ Sound Effects ~
All sounds procured at freesound.com - Thank you to the creators below for their contributions.
splashing footsteps1 by soundmary
foley natural water jump by nox sound
horses by arnaud coutander
walk on dirt road by mikeypme
Canadian horse running by vero-marengere
horse galloping by max headroom
horse snort by bruno auzet
horses whinnying by leandiviljoen
arrow cutting through the air by bruno auzet
ancient old time battle combat horses snorting... by ylearkisto
ambient battle noise swords and shouting by phranzen
the rain falls against the parasol by straget
forest stream between mekhanizatorov settlement and akhtyrka vilage moscow region by halfofthesky
water-lapping by ceivh93
rain by idomusics
soft wind by florianreichelt
fire 2 by pushtobreak
horse whinny by inspectorj
coopers hawk by blimp66
walking2-gravel by tec-studio
lost dream intro by unknown user
Mexico City street vendor with street sounds by kdceduk8
taikodrum-41-hz by tarane468
panther by xhwzq6gv
pain-schwester by repdac3
walla Cuban men yell bball1 by kyles
three cannon shots by originalmaja
sailing boat bow wave close perspective by pfannkuchn
wood chopping chopping hard wood with metal axe by guntherdorksen
timber tree falling by matt beer

In Episode 8, Cortes wears out his welcome in Tenochtitlan and sacrifices Moctezuma in a final attempt at saving his ambition: the greatest city in the New World. The Noche Triste, among the most iconic nights in Mexican history, plays out as the Spanish-Tlaxcala army flees the city.

Part 1 - Cortes Returns to Tenochtitlan
Following the Toxcatl Massacre, which decapitated the Mexica nobility in Cortes' absence, he returns to take command of a bad situation.

Part 2 - Death of Moctezuma
Holed up and pinned down in Axayactl's palace, Moctezuma is killed.

Part 3 - Noche Triste
On the most famous evening of the entire Conquest, Cortes and his army try to sneak out of Tenochtitlan. A brutal battle erupts as the Spanish flee on the causeway.

Part 4 - Battle of Otumba
Pursued for days into the desert, Cortes decides to turn and face the pursuing Mexica army.

Part 5 - Struggle in Tenochtitlan
The challenges facing the Mexica become apparent once the Spanish are gone. And a plague strikes.

Part 6 - Cortes Returns
After gathering new forces and healing, Cortes brings a refreshed army to finish the Mexica.

Episode 8 Credits
Written, researched, performed and produced by Jeremy Lipps.

~ Music ~
Araucanian war song by downforthecount
Away by Meydän
Fourth Imaginary City by cryptic scenery
Daniel Birch, www.danielbirchmusic.com
Breathe
Sustained Light
The Gates Are Locked
This Could All Be Gone Tomorrow
Fourth Imaginary City by cryptic scenery

~ Sound Effects ~
jungle tropical birds and insects by mikevpme
water lapping by celch93
splashing footsteps1 by soundmary
foley natural water jump by nox sound
horses by arnaud coutander
walk on dirt road by mikeypme
horse snort by bruno auzet
horses whinnying by leandiviljoen
arrow cutting through the air by bruno auzet
ancient old time battle combat horses snorting... by ylearkisto
ambient battle noise swords and shouting by phranzen
the rain falls against the parasol by straget
stones falling by iwanPlays
orest stream between mekhanizatorov settlement and akhtyrka vilage moscow region by halfofthesky
water-lapping by ceivh93
rain by idomusics
fire 2 by pushtobreak
horse whinny by inspectorj
walking2-gravel by tec-studio

In Episode 7, Cortes enters the Mexica capital and is welcomed. But things quickly go bad and violence erupts.

Part 1 - Entering Tenochtitlan
Cortes, his Spanish soldiers and 4 or 5 thousand Tlaxcalan warriors enter Tenochtitlan along the causeway.

Part 2 - Meeting Moctezuma
Moctezuma emerges from the crowd to welcome Cortes to Tenochtitlan.

Part 3 - Guests in the Capital
The Spanish are welcomed and granted use of the Palace of Axayacatl, the former Tlatoani.

Part 4 - The Hostage Moctezuma
In one of history's boldest moves, Cortes takes Moctezuma hostage in his own capital and begins to manipulate the empire.

Part 5 - Death of Cualpopoca
The indigenous chief of nautla, Cualpopoca is brought to Tenochtitlan for his own execution as a manipulation to undercut Moctezuma's sincerity.

Part 6 - Narvaez Arrives on the Coast
A Spanish captain arrives to reign in Cortes, who will not go so easy.

Part 7 - Festival of Toxcatl
Pedro de ALvarado loses control of the capital and caves into his fears, attacking the heart of Mexica nobility.

Episode 7 Credits
Written, researched, performed and produced by Jeremy Lipps.

~ Music ~
Fuego de Mateo by downforthecount
Away by Meydän
Surreal Forrest by Meydän
Daniel Birch, www.danielbirchmusic.com
Breathe
Sustained Light
The Gates Are Locked
guitar percussion by bangcorrupt
Fourth Imaginary City by cryptic scenery
Infinite Taiko Drum Sequence by Infinita08

~ Sound Effects ~
jungle tropical birds and insects by mikevpme
rumble loop by unfa
horses by arnaud coutander
walk on dirt road by mikeypme
horse snort by bruno auzet
horses whinnying by leandiviljoen
ancient old time battle combat horses snorting... by ylearkisto
stones falling by iwanPlays
orest stream between mekhanizatorov settlement and akhtyrka vilage moscow region by halfofthesky
water-lapping by ceivh93
soft wind by florianreichelt
fire 2 by pushtobreak
horse whinny by inspectorj
coopers hawk by blimp66
walking2-gravel by tec-studio

In Episode 6, Cortes continues his march toward Tenochtitlan with a fateful and violent stop in Cholula.

Part 1 - Cholula

Cortes and his 400 Spanish soldiers enter Cholula while the nearly 10,000-strong Tlaxcala and Totonac armies wait outside the city. Here they commit one of the worst atrocities ever committed in the Conquest of the New World.

Part 2 - Word of the Destruction of Cholula

Word of the incomprehensible destruction of Cholula spreads, and with it; fear.

Part 3 - Up the Volcano

Diego de Ordaz heads the volcano Popocatepetl and gets the first glimpse of Tenochtitlan and Lake Texcoco.

Part 4 - Drunk Men Speak Truth

Mexica representatives are intercepted by a drunk man who blasts them with his truthful words.

Part 5 - Departing Cholula

The Cortes Expedition sets out for Tenochtitlan on the final leg of the journey.

Part 6 - Chalco

The Expedition arrives in the Chalco region, and moves to Moctezuma's doorstep, just two miles from Tenochtitlan.

Episode 6 Credits

Written, produced and performed by Jeremy Lipps.

~ Music ~
Away by Meydän
Surreal Forrest by Meydän
guitar percussion by bangcorrupt
Daniel Birch, www.danielbirchmusic.com
Sustained Light
Breathe
The Gates Are Locked
intro by lost dream
Bountiful by Podington Bear

~ Sound Effects ~
rumble loop by unfa
horses by arnaud coutander
walk on dirt road by mikeypme
horse snort by bruno auzet
horses whinnying by leandiviljoen
ancient old time battle combat horses snorting... by ylearkisto
stones falling by iwanPlays
orest stream between mekhanizatorov settlement and akhtyrka vilage moscow region by halfofthesky
water-lapping by ceivh93
soft wind by florianreichelt
fire 2 by pushtobreak
horse whinny by inspectorj
coopers hawk by blimp66
walking2-gravel by tec-studio

In Episode 5, Cortes marched inland toward Tenochtitlan and passes through difficult terrain and battles on his way to finding a new and powerful ally.

Part 1 - Departing Cempoala

Cortes and his men depart the Totonac town of Cempoala and head into the lush highlands of the Sierra Madre.

Part 2 - Deserts, Valleys and Volcanoes

The Spanish expedition reaches the desert highlands and the men suffer from hypothermia, dehydration and hunger. 

Part 3 - The Fight to Tlaxcala

Several local people, including the Otomi, attack the Spanish.

Part 4 - New Allies in Tlaxcala

Cortes makes a powerful new ally.

Part 5 - Staying in Tlaxcala

The Spanish stay in Tlaxcala for two weeks, recuperating, eating and learning of another Aztec enemy in the four cities of the Tlaxcala Federation.

Episode 5 Credits

Written, researched, performed and produced by Jeremy Lipps.

~ Music ~
Intro Coda, acoustic guitar by Valentin Sosnitskiy
Fourth Imaginary City by cryptic scenery
Daniel Birch, www.danielbirchmusic.com
Early Morning Breakup
Sustained Light
The Gates Are Locked
Away by Meydän
intro by lost dream 

~ Sound Effects ~
jungle-tropical-birds-and-insects by mikeypme
marching by webbfilmsuk
walk on dirt road by mikeypme
mercado 05 by dobroide
timber tree falling by matt_beer
big bad dogs 5 by robinhood76
horse whinny by inspectorj
canadian horse running by vero marengere
horses whinnying by leandiviljoen
horse snort by bruno auzet
soft wind by florianreichelt
walk on dirt road by laurent
army marching by craigsmith
cold breeze ambiance by siyamahlobo
campfire sound by sterckxs
forest stream between mekhanizatorov settlement and akhtyrka vilage moscow region by halfofthesky

In Episode 4, Cortes digs in and settles on the coast. He encounters a new people, the Totonacs, and discovers their conflict with the Aztec Triple Alliance.

Part 1 – The Totonacs

Cortes learns of the Totonacs, who invite him to meet Xicomecoatl, leader of the town of Cempoala. Cortes learns of their subjugation by the Aztecs, and the anger they hold for Moctezuma.

Part 2 – Cempoala

Cortes passes through Cempoala on his way North. The Spaniards are stunned by the beauty of Cempoala. They stay a few days before moving on.

Part 3 – Quiahuitzlan
Having spotted a mountain town from a coastal exploration, Cortes marches for the town, called Quiahuitzlan.

Part 4 – Worry in the Capital

With Cortes suddenly established on the coast and allied with their Totonac subjects, the Lords of th Triple Alliance began to feel the severity of these foreigners intent.

Part 5 – Building of Villa Rica

Under the command of the new Chief Justice and Commander Cortes the foundations of the town of Villa Rica de la Veracruz were laid.

Part 6 - Loyalty to the Totonacs

Cortes strikes a deal with the Totonacs to support them in independence from the Triple Alliance in exchange for indigenous support of food, labor and intelligence.

Part 7 - Sinking Ships and Shipping Traffic

The most legendary sub-plot of the "Conquest of Mexico" is Cortes sinking his ships. See below, Episode 4 Breakdown - Sinking Ships, for more historic outtakes for this famous incident.

Part 8 - Garay

A rival arrives off the coast and a confrontation occurs as Cortes seizes several men from the Garay Expedition, out of Jamaica.

Episode 4 Credits
Written, researched, performed and produced by Jeremy Lipps.

~ Music ~
Intro Coda, acoustic guitar by Valentin Sosnitskiy
Fourth Imaginary City by cryptic scenery
Daniel Birch, www.danielbirchmusic.com
Early Morning Breakup
Sustained Light
The Gates Are Locked
Meydän, https://meydan.bandcamp.com/
Away
Surreal Forrest
intro by lost dream
guitar percussion by bangcorrupt 

~ Sound Effects ~
jungle-tropical-birds-and-insects by mikeypme
marching by webbfilmsuk
walk on dirt road by mikeypme
water-lapping by ceivh93
mercado 05 by dobroide
timber tree falling by matt_beer
big bad dogs 5 by robinhood76
horse whinny by inspectorj
ocean waves relaxing waves tranquil geo by davidgtr1
canadian horse running by vero marengere
horses whinnying by leandiviljoen
horse snort by bruno auzet
foley natural water jump mono by nox-sound
Splashing footsteps by soundmary

Episode Three – Along the Coast
Cortes departs Maya country and heads north, to Triple Alliance (Aztec) territory. A messenger spots the ships, and this begins a year long political dance between Moctezuma and Cortes. Despite Moctezuma's attempts to curtail the Spanish push inland, Cortes discovers divides among the people.

Part 1 – Closing out Business in Potonchan

Following his victory at the Battle of Cintla, Cortes spent two weeks in the regional capital Potonchan, which he had named Santa Maria de la Victoria. In that time he prepared to sail north to San Juan de Ulua, where Captain Grijalva had met with Aztec representatives the year before.

Part 2 – Aztec Territory

Cortes sails north from Maya country to San Juan de Ulua where the Aztec sentries are on guard for another Spanish expedition. The Aztec representatives Tentlil and Cuitlalpitoc are sent to greet the new arrivals and the beginning of a months-long negotiation between the Mexica and the Spanish begins.

Part 3 – Marina Reveals Herself

A slave girl given to Cortes by the Maya chief Tabscoob, reveals a hidden skill: her ability to speak both Nahuatl and Maya. Her given name, Malintzin, is changed to the Christianized Marina and she takes her place at the side of Cortes for the next two years as his chief translator, advisor and eventually the mother of his child.

Part 4 – Report to Moctezuma

Tentlil meets with Cortes in the dunes and offers the Spanish supplies. An Aztec messenger is sent to Tenochtitlan with the report of the meeting.

Part 5 – The Great Treasure

Commissioned the year before for Grijalva, the legendary Great Treasure of Moctezuma is sent to Cortes on the coast. This treasure would be sent on to Spain as property of Charles V. Included in this original shipment it is believed, was the now famous green feathered headdress now housed in Vienna.

Part 6 – Discontent and Political Maneuvering

Hunger, mosquitoes and boredom had eaten at morale and Cortes soon found a group of men in revolt. He would emerge from the political strife as the Chief Justice and Commanding General of the new town of Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz.

Episode 3 Breakdown – The Great Treasure of Moctezuma

One of the most famous parts of the “Conquest of Mexico” is the treasure sent by Moctezuma to Cortes while he was on the coast. Most of the European accounts, and some of the codices, mention the treasure and the golden sun disc and the silver moon disc.  Visit the Episode webpage to read more.

Cortés, Extremadura and the New World.
In Episode 2, we explore Extremadura Spain, home of some of the most vicious conquistadors where Cortes was raised. The narrative follows Cortes from his childhood in the small town of Medellin to his first lessons in genocide in Cuba through the climactic battles with the Maya.

Part 1 – Extremadura, Home of Conquistadors
Part 2 – Life in the Indies
Part 3 – Tabasco
Part 4 – Taking of Potonchan
Part 5 – Battle of Cintla

Episode 2 Credits
Written, produced and performed by Jeremy Lipps.

~ Music ~
Intro Coda, acoustic guitar by Valentin Sosnitskiy
Fuego de Mateo by downforthecount
Araucanian war song by downforthecount
guitar percussion by bangcorrupt
Daniel Birch, www.danielbirchmusic.com
Sustained Light
The Gates Are Locked
taiko drum sequence for looping the sacrifice by infinita08
intro by lost dream 

~ Sound Effects ~
water-lapping by ceivh93
Barcelona street restaurants near Sagrada Familia by nimlos
horses muffled hooves on dirt by craigsmith_r
jungle-tropical-birds-and-insects by mikeypme
canoe in flooded forest by reinsamba
ambiance night wildlife by inspectorj
campfire sound by sterckxs
three cannon shots by originalmaja
timber tree falling by matt_beer
ambient battle noise swords and shouting by phranzen
pain schwester by repdac3
dog barking single by inspectorj
musket 2 shots by kmarz1
steps park by hannagreen
arrow cutting through the air by bruno auzet
walla cuban men yell bball1 natural by kyles
horse galloping by max headroom
mercado 05 by dobroide
horse snort by bruno auzet
horses jingle jangle by craigsmith_r
canadian horse running by vero marengere

All music was sourced from www.freemusicarchive.org
Sound FX via www.FreeSound.org

Episode 1 – Moctezuma and the Valley of Mexico.
In Episode 1, we meet the Emperor Moctezuma and learn about some of his habits and beliefs. The Tlatelolco Market comes to life and we walk the streets of Tenochtitlan.
Part 1 – Tlatoani Moctezuma
Part 2 – Tenochtitlan
Part 3 – Politics of the Valley
Part 4 – Blood Debt to the Gods
Part 5 – Prayer and a Messenger from the Coast

Episode 1 Credits
Researched, written, produced and performed by Jeremy Lipps.

~ Music ~
Intro Coda, acoustic guitar by Valentin Sosnitskiy
Fourth Imaginary City by cryptic scenery
Daniel Birch, www.danielbirchmusic.com
Storm Ambience
Early Morning Breakup
This Could All Be Gone Tomorrow
Sustained Light
Breathe
The Gates Are Locked

~ Sound Effects ~
taikodrum by tarane468
jungle-tropical-birds-and-insects by mikeypme
thunderclap by dave-welshbanshee-crying by aldebarancw
Barcelona street restaurants near Sagrada Familia by nimlos
dog barking single by inspectorj
quetzales by laurent
hummingbird strafe by gezortenplotz
banshee-crying by aldebarancw
fire2 by pushtobreak
cranes by ayamahambho
thunder-clap-owb-ky by dave-welsh

All music was sourced from www.freemusicarchive.org
Sound FX via FreeSound.org