This co-hosted history podcast delves into the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, specifically focusing on Hernán Cortés's actions and the events leading up to the Noche Triste (Sad Night). The episode begins with a recap of the previous episode, then details Cortés's risky decision to divide his forces and his subsequent encounter with Pánfilo de Narváez. The hosts discuss the battle between Cortés and Narváez, Cortés's strategic maneuvering, and the subsequent massacre of Aztecs by Pedro de Alvarado during a religious festival. The episode culminates in a discussion of Montezuma's death, exploring various theories surrounding the circumstances of his demise, including the possibility of assassination by the Spanish. The podcast concludes by setting up the next episode, which will cover the Spanish retreat from Tenochtitlan. A specific example discussed is the contrasting accounts of Montezuma's death, highlighting the complexities and biases present in historical sources.
