9. The Aztecs - A Clash of Worlds (Part 1 of 2)

Other Historians: to tell this story properly we go back a little and start from the beginning. Paul Cooper: D I N O S A U R S

The way you spent 16 min going from dinosaurs to horses and their extinction, just so you could point out the irony that the Aztecs would meet their downfall by Europeans coming over on horses was BRILLIANT.

I tried watching History and Discovery Channel documentaries about the Aztecs, but they were literally unwatchable with the overly dramatic music and jump cuts like it was a bad action movie with very little substance. Thank you for respecting your audience enough let the history speak for itself! What a fascinating story you tell here.

I really appreciate how this documentary ACTUALLY spends time retracing the history of the Aztecs and doesn’t just skim through it and go directly to the arrival of the Spanish like every other one does, even though this a series about the fall of empires! Your work is very impressive! I really enjoyed it!

I told my wife "Sorry, babe. I got plans tonight."

As a mexican... i´ve learned more interesting things in this episode than all of my history classes. thank you!

Excellent work. As a Mexican I can tell you that this documentary on the Aztec empire is the best I've ever watched. Congrats!!!

Time Stamps Please feel free to add other important moments below if I've missed anything! Thank you Paul for such beautiful work! 0:00 The Rediscovery of Tenochtitlan and the Stone of Coyolxauhqui 3:38 Introduction 5:23 Quetzalcoatlus 7:08 Chicxulub Asteroid 11:38 The Valley of Mexico 16:21 Human Settlement in the Americas 18:17 Teotihuacan, Tula & the Toltecs 20:52 Sources on the Mexica/Aztecs 25:48 Origin of the Mexica/Aztecs 30:07 Tenochtilan 33:20 Farming & Diet 37:31 Cultural Developments 41:32 Tenochtitlan as a Hub of Trade 43:44 Riddles! 45:04 Worship of Huitzilopochtli & Ritual Human Sacrifice 55:39 Itzcoatl 56:00 Chimalpopoca 57:03 Tezozomoc 59:12 Nezahualcoyotl 1:03:45 Fall of the Tepanecs 1:11:25 Tlacaelel 1:15:06 Militarism & Growth of the Empire 1:18:19 Communication & Administration 1:19:51 The Flower Wars 1:26:00 A Harbinger of Decline 1:27:50 Societal Development Across the Globe and Hemispheric Differences 1:41:15 The Meeting of the Two Hemispheres

The duality of man Nezahualcoyotl building libraries while Izcoatl burns books

Can we take a second to appreciate almost 2 hours of content with minimal ads. Perfect for listening to as I fall asleep

I love the fact that he enunciates everything really well. It shows great respect to every culture he works on. Greetings from México.

Paul and team - Thank you again for another masterful content. I’m going through your videos rather slowly and in random order, but every video elevates my senses and transports me to these amazing ancient & medieval lands / cultures. This is my second gift to your channel because I feel this incomparable depiction of world history needs continuous encouragement of all kinds. Thank you again - I never thought that an Aztec story could be so captivating. Brilliant 👏🏼

So the story of the Aztecs: Once upon a time, there were dinosaurs.......

The documentary was incredible, here in Mexico it is being a success with our followers. We appreciate that you have allowed us to be part of this project. Best regards.

I listen to these podcasts over and over and over when I go to sleep. They are simply perfect

This is has got to be the best documentary on the Aztecs that I've ever heard. I love your documentaries but this one has given me a whole new level of respect for them. Bravo.

Anyone else going to need to fall asleep to this 8 times before catching it all? I can’t wait!

I've literally listened to this episode at least 10 times while sleeping, and the imagery so far (I'm 20 minutes in), is answering so many questions. What a brilliant production.

Honestly, this is what the history Channel SHOULD have been.

Amazing! Grew up in Mexico City and have never encounter a more fair and scholarly tale of the ancient cultures of today's Mexico. Worthy of University level programs. Can't wait to see part 2, which I guess starts with the arrival of Europeans.