Episode Details
Back to Episodes
The Dogs of Conquest: How Spanish Mastiffs Terrorized Mesoamerica
Season 4
Episode 170
Published 3 weeks, 4 days ago
Description
This episode examines the role of war dogs—specifically Spanish mastiffs and wolfhounds—in the conquest of Mesoamerica. Often overlooked in favor of guns and horses, these animals were deliberately used as weapons of terror. We explore their training, appearance in indigenous codices like the Florentine Codex and Lienzo de Tlaxcala, and their legal status under Spanish law. Key figures include Pedro de Alvarado, whose dog became legendary, and the indigenous perception of these beasts as supernatural. The episode also touches on the broader use of dogs in colonial expansion, from Columbus to the encomienda system.