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The Rest Is HistoryNovember 23, 2023

391. The Fall of the Aztecs: The Last Emperor (Part 8)

About This Episode
Tenochtitlan, once the glittering jewel at the heart of the mighty Aztec Empire, has fallen. Hernán Cortés stands triumphant, the master of this New Spain. Or so it seems. For the last Aztec emperor, Cuauhtemoc, is still alive and well. And in the jungles of Mexico and Honduras, a dark and bloody story is only just beginning … In the final episode of this astonishing journey, Dominic and Tom discuss the aftermath of the fall of Tenochtitlan, the fates of Cuauhtemoc, Cortés and Malinche, the experiences of the local population and the story of Mexico in the decades after the Spanish conquest. As this mighty epic draws to a close, they also explore the Black Legend of Spanish imperialism, and discuss the long-term repercussions of the conquest and its status in the context of world history and politics today. *Dominic’s book The Fall of the Aztecs is available now from bookshops across the UK - the perfect Christmas present!* *The Rest Is History Live Tour 2023*: Tom and Dominic are back on tour this autumn! See them live in New Zealand and Australia! Buy your tickets here: restishistorypod.com Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Producer: Theo Young-Smith
Book Mentions
6 book mentions in this episode.
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Books Mentioned

Broken Spears cover
Broken Spears
Miguel León Portillo

The phrase 'broken spears' was used as the title of the translation of a book by the Mexican historian Miguel León Portillo.

ASIN: B00N4E7T6W
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Fifth Son cover
Fifth Son
Camilla Townsend

Camilla Townsend's wonderful book, Fifth Son, discusses the mistranslation of 'broken spears' as 'shattered bones'.

ASIN: B09WLWJX6B
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A book by Matthew Restle cover

If people want a sense of the kind of debate, they could just read a book by Matthew Restle, who emphasises the near-genocidal approach of the Spaniards.

ASIN: B00HTJO4UC
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A book by Fernando Cervantes cover

Then you read Fernando Cervantes on the other, who is very keen to dispel what he sees as the black legend.

ASIN: B084V88257
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Moctezuma meeting with Cortez cover

Matthew Restles, the final chapter in his book on Moctezuma meeting with Cortez gives a terrifying portrait of it.

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The Fall of the Aztecs cover

The Fall of the Aztecs is often a very bloody story. For centuries, people used to tell it as a clash between wicked Aztecs and gallant Spaniards. These days, it's more common to tell it from the opposite angle, casting the Aztecs as noble underdogs and the Spanish conquerors as greedy monsters.

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