S4E156 - The Trial of Cuauhtemoc: Cortés's Last Aztec Emperor
Published: July 15, 2026
Duration: 7:27
In 1525, three years after the fall of Tenochtitlan, Hernán Cortés led an expedition to Honduras that ended in one of the most controversial episodes of the conquest: the torture and execution of Cuauhtémoc, the last Aztec huey tlatoani. This episode examines the events surrounding Cuauhtémoc's capture after the siege of Tenochtitlan in 1521, his treatment as a hostage in Coyoacán, the accusations of rebellion that led to his trial, and the brutal interrogation by Cortés and his interpreters. Lucas and Luna discuss the political motivations behind Cortés's actions, the legacy of Cuauhtémoc in Mexic...