The term "conquistador" refers to Spanish explorers and conquerors who played a significant role in the colonization of the Americas during the 16th century. Notable figures include Hernán Cortés, who led the expedition that resulted in the fall of the Aztec Empire, and Francisco Pizarro, who conquered the Inca Empire. Conquistadors were often driven by the pursuit of wealth, land, and the spread of Christianity, leading to profound and often devastating impacts on indigenous populations and cultures. Their expeditions contributed to the establishment of Spanish colonial rule in vast territories across the Americas.