Az'tec, a race of people who settled in Mexico and ultimately extended their dominion over a large territory, and were still growing under their most celebrated ruler, Montezuma, at the time of the arrival of the Spaniards, by whom they were speedily subjugated, in the early part of the sixteenth century. They had a considerable knowledge of agriculture, maize and the agave being the chief products. In metal work, feather work, weaving and pottery they possessed a high degree of skill. To record events they used hieroglyphics, and their lunar calendars were of unusual accuracy. Two special deities claimed their reverence, the god of war, propitiated with human sacrifices, and Quetzalcoatl. the beneficent god of light and air, with whom at first the Aztecs were disposed to identify Cortez. Their temples, with large terraced pyramidal bases, were in the charge of an exceedingly numerous priesthood, with whom lay the education of the young. See INDIANS, AMERICAN, subhead Mexican and Central American Indians; MONTEZUMA; CORTEZ, HERNANDO.