Acolmiztli

Acōlmiztli (Nahuatl pronunciation: [akoːlˈmist͡ɬi]) is a Nahuatl term that translates to "war" or "battle" in English. In the context of the Aztec Empire, it referred to both the act of warfare and the broader concept of conflict, including both military engagements and political struggles. The term is derived from the Nahuatl roots ācol- (war) and -miztli (suffix indicating an action or state). In Hebrew, the term can be translated as מלחמה (milchama), though this is a general term for war and does not capture the specific cultural context of Aztec warfare. Similarly, in Spanish, the term is often translated as guerra, reflecting the broader context of conflict. The concept of acōlmiztli was central to Aztec society, as warfare played a crucial role in their expansion, political consolidation, and religious practices, including the capture of prisoners for sacrificial rituals.