Aztec Empire to retain and freely continue their own religious traditions, so long as they added the imperial god to their local pantheons. The word "Aztec" in modern usage would not have been used by the people themselves. It has variously been used to refer to the Triple Alliance empire, the Nahuatl-speaking people of central Mexico prior to the Spanish conquest, or specifically the Mexica ethnicity of the Nahuatl-speaking peoples. The name comes from a Nahuatl word meaning "people from Aztlan," reflecting the mythical place of origin for Nahua peoples. For the purpose of this article, "Aztec" refers only to those cities
Aztec architecture Aztec architecture Aztec architecture refers to the architectural remains of the Aztec civilization. Much of what is known about Aztec architecture comes from the structures that are still standing. These structures have survived through several centuries because of the strong materials used and the skill of the builders. Aztec cities often competed to construct the greatest temples in the Aztec empire and in the world. While doing so, instead of demolishing an old temple and building a new one at the site, they simply built "over" the old structure. Often, the temples were immense and very proportioned. Some temples have