# The Cocoliztli Epidemic: Disease That Destroyed the Aztecs

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-conquistadors-exploration-greed-and-destruction-fexingo-history-7864470/the-cocoliztli-epidemic-disease-that-destroyed-the-aztecs
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-conquistadors-exploration-greed-and-destruction-fexingo-history-7864470/the-cocoliztli-epidemic-disease-that-destroyed-the-aztecs.md
Podcast: [The Conquistadors: Exploration, Greed, and Destruction — Fexingo History](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-conquistadors-exploration-greed-and-destruction-fexingo-history-7864470)
Published: 2026-06-21T02:44:53+00:00
Episode link: https://audio.fexingo.com/history/the-conquistadors/episode-0108.mp3
Audio file: https://audio.fexingo.com/history/the-conquistadors/episode-0108.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-conquistadors-exploration-greed-and-destruction-fexingo-history-7864470/episodes/the-cocoliztli-epidemic-disease-that-destroyed-the-aztecs
Duration seconds: 396

## Resource

In this episode, Lucas and Luna examine the cocoliztli, the mysterious epidemic that killed millions in Mesoamerica after the Spanish arrival. They explore the debate over whether it was a native hemorrhagic fever or smallpox, how Nahua sources in the Florentine Codex describe the symptoms, and the role of drought and famine in the catastrophe. The conversation also touches on the collapse of Tenochtitlan's population and the long-term demographic impact. A nuanced look at a disaster that reshaped history. #Cocoliztli #Smallpox #HemorrhagicFever #FlorentineCodex #BernardinoDeSahagun #Tenochtitlan #Mesoamerica #Aztec #Disease #Epidemiology #Conquest #DemographicCollapse #Nahua #Cortes #Cuauhtemoc #History #FexingoHistory #Podcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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## Transcript

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