How Do You Spell AZTEC EMPIRE?

Pronunciation: [ˈaztɛk ˈɛmpa͡ɪ͡ə] (IPA)

The spelling 'Aztec Empire' is pronounced /ˈæz.tɛk ˈɛm.paɪər/. The first syllable 'Az' is pronounced with the short 'a' sound followed by the 'z' sound. The second syllable 'tec' is pronounced with the short 'e' sound followed by the 'k' sound. The word 'Empire' is pronounced with the short 'e' sound followed by the 'm' sound and then the 'p' sound. The last syllable 'ire' is pronounced with the long 'i' sound followed by the 'r' sound. The correct spelling and pronunciation are important for clear communication.

AZTEC EMPIRE Meaning and Definition

1. The Aztec Empire was a vast and powerful Mesoamerican civilization that existed in Central Mexico from the 14th to the 16th centuries. Spanning an area of approximately 200,000 square kilometers, the Aztec Empire established its dominion through military conquest and the establishment of tributary states.

   At its height, the Empire encompassed numerous city-states and a population that surpassed five million individuals. The Aztecs were renowned for their advanced agricultural practices, impressive engineering marvels, intricate social hierarchy, and highly developed religious practices.

   The Aztec Empire was ruled by a monarchy led by an emperor, known as the tlatoani, who exercised both political and religious power. The empire's social structure was organized in a hierarchical manner, with nobility and priests occupying the upper echelons while commoners, peasants, and slaves constituted the lower strata of society.

   Religion played a central role in Aztec culture, with a pantheon of gods and goddesses being worshiped through elaborate ceremonies and blood sacrifices. The Aztecs were skilled artisans and tradespeople, known particularly for their exquisite craftsmanship in metalwork, pottery, and textile production.

   However, the Aztec Empire faced both internal and external challenges, including rebellions from subject territories and attacks from neighboring rivals. Ultimately, the Empire fell to Spanish conquistadors led by Hernán Cortés in 1521, marking the end of the Aztec civilization and the beginning of Spain's colonization of the region.

Etymology of AZTEC EMPIRE

The word "Aztec" is derived from the Nahuatl language, which was spoken by the indigenous people of central Mexico, particularly by the Nahua peoples. In Nahuatl, the word for "people from Aztlán" is "aztecatl". Aztlán was believed to be the ancestral homeland of the Mexica people, who later founded the Aztec Empire. Over time, the term "aztecatl" evolved to "Aztec" in the Spanish language, and it came to represent the entire empire.