Moctezuma, Aztec Ruler Exhibition

by Rachel Newcombe (subscribe)

Event: 24/09/2009

Gain a fantastic insight into the life of Moctezuma II, the last elected Aztec Emperor, at the new exhibition at the British Museum.

Dubbed as being one of the must-visit exhibitions of the season, the Moctezuma: Aztec Ruler exhibition runs daily until 24 Jan 2010.

Moctezuma II reigned the Aztecs, or Mexica, from 1502 to 1520. The exhibition focuses on his life, his reign and his death during the Spanish conquest. Many of the exhibits on display have never been seen before outside Mexico, which is one of the reasons why the event has been hailed as so important for the British Museum to host.

Visitors to the exhibition will get to see impressive stone monuments from the Aztec world, including a stone monument called the Teocalli of Sacred Warfare which was commissioned by Moctezuma himself, lots of turquoise and gold artefacts and oil paintings on wooden panels that are inlaid with delicate Mother of Pearl details.

Many of the exhibits serve as a reminder about how different civilisation and beliefs were in Moctezuma's time, especially those with sacrificial elements to them. In fact, it was a bloody and brutal era to live in, but the exhibition helps us to understand more about Moctezuma's life, death and the Aztec world as a whole.

Tickets can be purchased on the day, but to save queuing, you can buy them online on the British Museum website.

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Why? It’s a fascinating insight into history! You’ll view exhibits never seen before outside Mexico.

When: Daily, 10.00-17.30, with late openings until 20.30 on Thursdays and Fridays, until 24 Jan 2010.

Where: The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG

Cost: Adults, £12; students £10; family £25.