This co-hosted history podcast episode delves into the initial encounter between Hernán Cortés and Montezuma in Tenochtitlan. The hosts discuss the conflicting historical accounts, exploring the theories surrounding the power dynamic between the two leaders and questioning the traditional narrative of immediate Aztec surrender. They analyze the cultural shock experienced by the Spaniards upon encountering the advanced Aztec civilization and its well-ordered city, highlighting the contrasting religious beliefs and practices as a key source of misunderstanding. A specific example is the Spanish reaction to witnessing Aztec human sacrifice, which is contextualized within the Aztec cosmology. The episode concludes with a cliffhanger, revealing the arrival of more Spanish forces, setting the stage for future conflict and further complicating the already complex relationship between Cortés and Montezuma.
