Conquistadors: The Rise and FallEpisodes Guide

The accidental discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus sparks an age of exploration for the Spanish Empire, and a dark new chapter in the history of the Americas.

Columbus's return voyage to the Americas begins with bloodshed when he discovers that the Spanish left behind at Hispaniola have been killed by the indigenous Taíno. A chain of brutal colonisation throughout the Caribbean begins.

The ruthlessly ambitious Hernán Cortés travels deep into the Mexican interior to conquer one of the greatest empires in the Americas: the Aztecs. His victory cementing the subjection and submersion if indigenous populations.

Following the success of Hernán Cortés's campaign over the Aztecs, conquistador Francisco Pizarro sets his sights on conquering the largest civilisation in the Americas: the Inca.

After decades of conquest, the Spanish colonies have grown throughout the Americas. The Spanish monarchy struggles to control the guardians of New Spain from afar, and the discovery of a vast silver mine in Bolivia heightens tensions.

Jealousy of Spain's new wealth and disdain for their violent practices in the Americas leads to other European rulers propagating an anti-Spanish narrative. The Black Legend is born and heralds an end to the era of conquistadors.