How do we write the biography of someone whose voice survives only through the writings of those who conquered her?

Join us for an in-depth conversation with author Andrew Rowen as we examine the life and legacy of Anacaona, the Taíno ruler of Xaragua, during the pivotal years of 1498–1502. We discuss the strengths and limitations of Spanish chroniclers such as Las Casas and Oviedo, the contributions of modern archaeology, the political landscape of pre-contact Hispaniola, and the downfall of Christopher Columbus as governor.

This episode explores not only the history of Anacaona but also the broader challenge of recovering Indigenous perspectives from the colonial record.

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For more than five centuries, the story of Christopher Columbus has dominated the history of the Caribbean. But what if one of the most important figures of this era wasn't Columbus at all?

In this episode of The History in Motion Podcast, we explore the life of Anacaona, the Taíno ruler of Xaragua whose leadership, diplomacy, and resistance unfolded during one of the most consequential periods in the history of the Americas.

Conqueror, colonist, priest, and critic—Bartolomé de las Casas lived through the birth of Spain's American empire and became one of its most influential witnesses. Arriving in the Caribbean in 1502 as a young settler seeking opportunity, he participated in the colonial system before undergoing a profound transformation that would make him the most famous defender of Indigenous peoples in the New World.

In this episode, we explore the world that shaped Las Casas: the rise of Spain after the Reconquista, Columbus's voyages, the Taíno societies of the Caribbean, the encomienda system, and the devastating demographic collapse that followed European arrival. We examine his journey from colonist to reformer, his writings on conquest and Indigenous rights, the famous Valladolid Debate, and the lasting controversy surrounding his legacy.

Was Bartolomé de las Casas an early champion of human rights, a flawed reformer within empire, or something in between? Join us as we explore the life, ideas, and historical world of one of the most important—and controversial—figures of the Age of Exploration.