Moctezuma: Aztec Ruler
British Museum, London
The very name Moctezuma conjures up a world of mystery – of an advanced but bloodthirsty civilisation lost in time. Yet it was only some 500 years ago that the mighty kingdom of the Aztecs in Central America had one of the most advanced cultures on the continent until it was invaded by Spanish conquistadors in search of gold. They literally destroyed that culture, resulting in the destruction of a vast capital and its people.
Idealised portraits of Moctezuma helped to shape European perceptions of the king. Mexico City is built on the ruins of the great Aztec capital Tenochtitlan, which makes archaeological investigation difficult.
Moctezuma, the last Aztec ruler, who reigned from 1502-1520, has become an almost legendary figure, so little is known about him and the daily life of the Aztec people. There are limited written records of curious hieroglyphics and little can be said for sure. But the finds of carved stone sculptures, many in the form of animals, such as owls and jaguars, and a throne-like chair or sacrificial altar in stone with intricate relief carving covering the sides, indicate a high level of sophistication in which human sacrifice was a central part of life, reaching unprecedented levels under Moctezuma.
Regarded as a semi-divine figure by his subjects, Moctezuma was seen as interceding with the gods. As a seasoned and successful military commander, he was head of the two most prestigious warrior orders – the eagle and the jaguar. In 1502, Moctezuma was elected ruling lord by a small group of council leaders. He built a magnificent palace in the heart of the capital and reconstructed the court.
Now on display at the British Museum, magnificent artefacts – many not seen in this country before, give some idea of the wealth of the country. An exquisite turquoise mask of a stylised face, together with fine gold work, testify to the high level of craftsmanship, whether in the form of turtle necklaces, finger rings with a model of a feline head or a gold pendant depiction a ruler complete with large earrings and a crown. What is less clear is what they signified or how they were used.
The arrival of the Spanish during Moctezuma’s reign saw the collapse of the native world order and the imposition of a new and alien civilisation that eventually gave birth to modern Mexico. Inevitably, the exhibition centres on the life and work of Moctezuma and the dual nature of his representation. As a successful and cunning warrior, he was respected and admired. However, following the arrival of Cortes and his initial welcoming of the Spanish with gifts, even allowing them to stay in his palace, he was left him powerless and isolated. As such, he was seen as a flawed and tragic figure who ceded the Aztec empire to foreigners. Following Moctezuma’s capture by the Spanish, unrest broke out in the city and this was followed by a massacre of the nobles.
Moctezuma died under mysterious circumstances, possibly stoned to death by his own people who had come to regard him as fallible and weak, although he may equally have been murdered by the Spanish who were keen to get rid of the god-king.
The haunting sound of wind pervades the exhibition, which is otherwise low on atmosphere. The objects, while fascinating in evoking the skills of Aztec culture, would benefit from a more evocative presentation, illustrating the many aspects of this diverse but often bloodthirsty civilisation. But even the cleverness and culture of the Aztecs were no match for the avaricious and power-hungry European invaders.
Emmanuel Cooper
