Moctezuma Aztec Ruler – Catalogue Review
Book Explores the Life and Death of the Last Ruler of the Mexicans
Oct 2, 2009
Moctezuma Aztec Ruler has been published by the British Museum to coincide with their exhibition of the same name. The publication has been co-edited by Colin McEwan and Leonardo López Luján with supporting contributions by leading historians.
Moctezuma Aztec Ruler – About the Book
Moctezuma Aztec Ruler features important works of art from the British Museum's own collection supplemented by loans from international institutions. This 256-page publication is a colourful treasury of more than 220 colour illustrations showing gold and gold jewellery, maps, codices, turquoise masks, paintings, stone sculptures and monuments, weapons, armour and shields, boxes and caskets.
The editors call upon the latest research and archaeological discoveries in Mexico City to examine all aspects of Moctezuma's life from both Spanish and Mexican perspectives. The publication forms a detailed body of work, which although written by leading historians, is fully accessible to everyone from the merely curious to the experienced historian. Any technical terms and unusual names are explained in a comprehensive Glossary.
Moctezuma Aztec Ruler – Layout of the Book
The publication is divided into eight chapters plus an epilogue written by leading international authorities. A look at the section titles provides an insight into the contents of the book:
- Family Histories: the ancestors of Moctezuma II – Felipe Solís Olguín researches Moctezuma's predecessors and the origins of the Mexica dynasty.
- The coronation of Moctezuma II – Eduardo Matos Moctezuma highlights Moctezuma's election and the festivities surrounding his succession.
- Images of Moctezuma and his symbols of power – Guilhem Olivier and Leonardo López Luján discuss the priestly insignia and symbols of Moctezuma's power.
- Moctezuma and the renewal of nature – Richard F. Townsend describes the Mexica monuments, the Templo Mayor, the New Fire Ceremony and the concept of eternal life.
- Moctezuma's military and economic rule – Frances F. Berdan discusses the emperor's priorities and strategies for success.
- The overthrow of Moctezuma and his empire – This chapter, by John H. Elliott, examines the arrival of Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés and the defeat, and death, of Moctezuma.
- The rebirth of ancient Mexico – David A. Brading reviews the period immediately after the defeat of Moctezuma, and the establishment of a new city on the site of the ruined Tenochtitlan.
- Rethinking Moctezuma – Salvador Rueda Smithers looks back at how history as treated Moctezuma over the past two hundred years.
- Epilogue – In search of Mexica kings: current excavations in Tenochtitlan. Leonardo López Luján and Ximena Chávez Balderas outline the latest research and discoveries in Mexico City.
About the Editors
- Colin McEwan is Head of the Americas Section at the British Museum and Curator of Latin American Collections. McEwan's name is linked to a number of publications including Turquoise Mosaics from Mexico (with A. Middleton, R. Stacey and C. Cartwright), and Ancient Mexico in the British Museum.
- Leonardo López Luján is Director of the Proyecto Templo Mayor, INAH, Mexico. Luján is author of several publications including the award-winning The Offerings of the Templo Mayor of Tenochtitlan. He is co-author of Monte Sagrado-Templo Mayor with Alfredo López Austin and Escultura Monumental Mexica with Eduardo Matos Moctezuma.
Moctezuma Aztec Ruler, published by The British Museum Press, is available in two editions:
- Paperback, ISBN: 978-0-7141-2585-5 priced £25
- Hardback Cased, ISBN: 978-0-7141-2586-2 priced £40
Further details can be obtained from the British Museum.
Moctezuma Aztec Ruler
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Gold Turtle Necklace
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Mosaic Mask of Tezcatlipoca
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Turquoise Mosaic Mask
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Altar of the Warriors
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