How did a few hundred Spanish soldiers topple two empires? – Si Sheppard
Oct 1, 2026 · 1:37:24
Dwarkesh Patel interviews historian Si Sheppard on how a few hundred conquistadors under Cortés and Pizarro toppled the Aztec and Inca empires of millions in just years. Sheppard credits steel, horses, and diplomacy: Cortés captured Moctezuma, while Pizarro's 168 men ambushed Atahualpa at Cajamarca, killing thousands for zero losses. Up to 99% of their forces were native allies like the Tlaxcalans seeking escape from Aztec hegemony. He argues the conquests were contingent yet smallpox doomed the empires long-term, and the too-short learning curve blocked adaptation to cavalry. He also explains why dispersed peoples like the Maya and Comanche resisted longer, how silver fueled European inflation and Ming trade, and Spain's stagnation — Patel's analogy being AI takeover.
