adorned- decorated
causeways- roadways across water or marshlands
conquered defeated in battle
empire a large area made up of many territories under one government
intricate complicated
metropolis a major city; a center of culture
momentous extremely important
sites places where things are located
tributes gifts given to those in power by people who have been defeated or who want protection
dynasty period of rule
sphinx a mythical creature often represented as having the head of a human and the body of a lion
ruins partial remains of a building
sacred holy, for religious use
offering a gift or contribution
splendor powerful, beautiful appearance