What term describes the Spanish soldiers and explorers who participated in the conquest of the Americas in the 16th century?

The term "conquistador" specifically refers to the Spanish soldiers and explorers who embarked on expeditions across the Americas during the 16th century, seeking to conquer new territories and acquire wealth. These individuals played a crucial role in the Spanish colonization of large parts of the New World, including significant figures like Hernán Cortés, who led the conquest of the Aztec Empire, and Francisco Pizarro, who conquered the Inca Empire.

The label "conquistador" encapsulates not just their role as conquerors but also their motivations which often blended military prowess with a desire for land, riches, and the spread of Christianity. This term is historically significant and carries specific connotations related to the methods, ideologies, and impacts of their conquests on indigenous populations and the subsequent European expansion in the Americas.

Other terms, such as "adventurer," while they might describe individuals undertaking risky ventures, lack the historical context and specificity tied to the conquests in this period. "Settler" refers more to individuals who established permanent communities rather than those who engaged in conquest. The term "conqueror," while it may seem related, is broader and does not specifically denote the Spanish context of the 16th-century