The term jokingly implies that the defeated Aztec emperor is cursing foreign visitors by exposing them to unfamiliar local bacteria.

By keeping the emperor alive but confined, Cortés hoped to extract gold and govern the massive empire without sparking a violent uprising.

This strategy tragically backfired, as the display of immense wealth only fueled the conquistadors' greed and desire to conquer the capital.

This elaborate royal zoo required a dedicated staff of hundreds to care for pumas, eagles, and venomous snakes brought from across the empire.