Western Civ

Today I sit down with historian Eckart Frahm to discuss his new book: Assyria: The Rise and Fall of the World's First Empire. The Assyrians have a fascinating history that ranges from the ancient sand...

7 Apr 20231h 10min

Cortés recovers from the disaster of La Noche Triste and plans for a triumphant return to Tenochtitlan. At the same time, Smallpox ravages Central America.WebsiteAd-Free ShowsWestern Civ 2.0

7 Apr 202349min

Cortés rushes back to Tenochtitlan only to find the city beyond saving. After the death of Montezuma, he has no choice but to cut his losses and run.WebsiteAd-Free ShowsTeaching MaterialsWestern Civ 2...

31 Mar 202340min

Cortés gambles again, taking Montezuma captive in the hope that he can turn the entire kingdom over to Charles V. But, the arrival of a relief force from Cuba sent to capture Cortés upsets his plans.W...

24 Mar 202351min

Cortés finally reached the capital of the Mexica Empire and comes face to face with Montezuma.WebsiteAd-Free ShowsWestern Civ 2.0

17 Mar 202356min

This is the episode where Cortés really starts to come into focus. Up to this point, he has been just another explorer. But after this episode, his ambitions come into focus: Mexico or bust.WebsitePat...

10 Mar 202349min

Hernan Cortes and his expedition continue to explore the Yucatan as they round toward modern-day Veracruz. He begins to learn what works and what does not as he encounters different tribes of indigeno...

3 Mar 202342min

This week we finally meet Hernan Cortes. Cortes has an interesting history himself, though much of it remains shrouded in myth and shadow. Yet, in 1518 he gets tapped as the man to lead a new expediti...

24 Feb 202329min