Were the Aztecs really obsessed with death and sacrifice? Did they have a pantheon of deities similar to the ancient Greeks or Romans? And how did a magical gem change the fortune of the Aztec people? Speaking to Emily Briffett, Camilla Townsend delves into their myths, legends and folklore to reveal a society bursting with life and colour.

(AD) Camilla Townsend is the author of The Aztec Myths: A Guide to the Ancient Stories and Legends (Thames and Hudson). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Aztec-Myths-Ancient-Stories-Legends/dp/0500025533/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

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