preview

The Aztecs were the neighbours from hell

It seems we can't get enough of the Aztecs. Six years after the 2003 blockbuster exhibition at the Royal Academy, the British Museum launched a major exhibition on the Aztec ruler Moctezuma (aka Montezuma). As you’d expect, there was a crowd-pleasing emphasis on living sacrifice, ritual flayings, and cannibalism, but alongside the blood and guts, these exhibitions also showcased the achievements of the Aztecs. This was a sophisticated civilisation which built glorious cities, created beautiful artistry, and cared deeply about the natural world. So were the Aztecs really any worse than the Christians of their time?

This Controversy is part of our membership service. Existing members, please sign in. If you would like access to our regularly updated, expanding catalogue of controversies become a member now.