10 episodes

Mexica: A History Podcast is a 9-episode, audio narrative about the Conquest of Mexico, historically sourced (from both Indigenous sources and first hand European accounts). with the goal of bringing the rich sights, scents and sounds of the Mexica world to the listener. This podcast takes the listener through the Spanish defeat of Moctezuma and his Aztec allies in a richly sensual narrative.

Mexica: A History Podcast Jeremy Lipps

    • History
    • 5.0 • 22 Ratings

Mexica: A History Podcast is a 9-episode, audio narrative about the Conquest of Mexico, historically sourced (from both Indigenous sources and first hand European accounts). with the goal of bringing the rich sights, scents and sounds of the Mexica world to the listener. This podcast takes the listener through the Spanish defeat of Moctezuma and his Aztec allies in a richly sensual narrative.

    Bonus Episode: The End of the Mexica (Ep 9)

    Bonus Episode: The End of the Mexica (Ep 9)

    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

    • 1 hr 7 min
    Fall of Tenochtitlan (Ep 8)

    Fall of Tenochtitlan (Ep 8)

    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

    • 46 min
    Foreigners in Tenochtitlan (Ep 7)

    Foreigners in Tenochtitlan (Ep 7)

    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

    • 56 min
    Entering the Land of Mexico (Ep 6)

    Entering the Land of Mexico (Ep 6)

    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

    • 36 min
    The March to Mexico (Ep 5)

    The March to Mexico (Ep 5)

    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

    • 39 min
    Exploiting Divides (Ep 4)

    Exploiting Divides (Ep 4)

    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

    • 38 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
22 Ratings

22 Ratings

ddddanee ,

Fascinating

This podcast has some of the best detail and writing on the conquest

jro87 ,

Extremely Detailed!

I just love this podcast. This is an incredible story that everyone should listen to. The research was quite extensive. Great work!

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