La Malinche’s relationship with Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés is as complicated as her legacy. Initially enslaved and gifted to Cortés, La Malinche’s beauty and linguistic acumen made her a formidable asset to Cortés. Her battle for survival turned into a story of lust, deceit, loyalty and betrayal.

Join Declan and Eliza as they chat with Talia Sankari to unpick Malinche’s lineage which goes back to the birth of modern Mexico and still stokes fierce divisions over 500 years on.

Talia Sankari is completing a PhD at New York University’s Institute for the Study of the Ancient World.