3 years, 1 month ago
What were the Five Greatest Empires of all time?
Please explain why, and cite sources when needed. Videos and Photos always make an answer better.
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M$11 Answers
First, I want to start with my assumptions.
When asking what the greatest empires in history were, I have to wonder what is meant by greatest. Is it a reference to the amount of area controlled? The number of people governed? It is regional or global? Is the number of years it existed a factor?
I am going to suggest that the answer is actually based on lasting, long-term impact of the empire.
I am going to look at the empires that have already been proposed, consider their strengths and drawbacks, and make my own list. Four out of my five have already been listed. One is unique
The list of candidates to date are:
1. Alexandrine – This empire is important because it spanned east and west, and had a lasting impact until today. Alexander is still considered a hero from the US to Afghanistan (which has its own versions of the Alexander legend). Many scholars even identify Alexander with Dhul-Qarnayn of the Qur’an, the righteous ruler who contains Gog and Magog. The drawback is that his empire was very short-lived—It collapsed when he died at the age of 33. Nevertheless, it set the groundwork for the spread of Hellenistic ideas to all corners of the world.
2. British – This is truly the greatest empire of the modern era, covering one-quarter of the earth’s land area and governing one-quarter of the world’s population. It set also the groundwork for the United States, which is the world’s current great empire. The fact that English is the international lingua franca and that democracy is so far spread is because of the British Empire and its daughter empire, the United States.
3. Egyptian – This is probably the longest-lasting empire, surviving for some three millennia. On the other hand, what remains of ancient Egyptian culture today? While the pyramids survive, its language, culture, and political institutions no longer have any impact.
4. French – The French Empire is a lot like the British Empire, except that it never had the same impact. It is the historical also-ran, the runner-up in Empire Idol. French is an international language, but with all due respect to the Francophonie, it doesn’t have the same reach as English. Its cultural and political institutions likewise lack the same impact that the British institutions had. To ask seriously, what countries today are still impacted by British institutions (the U.S., Canada, Australia, India, to name a few), and what countries today are still impacted by French institutions (the province of Quebec, some impoverished countries in Africa).
5. Holy Roman – This is another strong contender, but it is remarkably regional, its impact being limited to Europe, and even then, not to England, which would have spread its culture internationally.
6. Islamic – One of the great empires of all time. The fact that Arabic is now spoken from the Atlantic to Iran, and that Islam now dominates the religious landscape from Morocco to Indonesia says it all. And its impact is still growing. Central Asia is predominantly Muslim, and there are anywhere from 20 to 100 million Muslims in China is indicative of its strength. And the fact that Islamic nations are still a force to be reckoned with in international bodies such as the UN, and even in Europe and the US because of immigration, can be traced directly to the impact of the Islamic empire.
7. Japanese – Also very regional.
8. Mongol – One of the great empires of all time, controlling most of Asia. Its cultural impact is still felt, though mostly in China and India. Having said that, it is unusual as empires go because it was a nomadic empire, but this actually facilitated its greatest impact: trade between east and west. By the way, this not only means silk and pepper. It also includes such things as disease: the Black Death which ravaged Europe, is largely the result of rodents that accompanied traders across Central Asia, thanks to the Pax Mongolica (yes, there is such a term).
9. Ottoman – It had the potential, but it didn’t fulfill it. Things may have been different if the Battle of Vienna had been won by the Turks, but it wasn’t, and the Turks did not manage to spread Turkish and Islamic culture to Europe. It then stopped growing, and became very regional. How extensive is Turkish culture in today’s world? How extensive is it in the Ottoman’s former territories?
10. Persian – The Persian Empire is to the Roman Empire what the French Empire was to the British Empire, an also-ran. If the Battle of Marathon had gone differently, it may have established a foothold in Europe, and history might have run a different course. But it didn’t, and remained essentially, a regional empire.
11. Rome – The empire par excellence, its influence extends far beyond the Mediterranean Basin. The fact that Christianity is one of the biggest religions in the world is largely because of the Roman Empire. Roman law still lies at the basis of many legal systems, by way of the Corpus Juris Civilis of Justinian. Finally, many emperors titled themselves after the Roman Caesars long after Rome disintegrated, including Charlemagne, the Kaiser of Germany, and the Tsar of Russia. Note that the latter ruled countries that were, for the most part, not even governed by Rome.
12. Soviet – Yet another also-ran. While it once had genuine global scope to rival the U.S., it collapsed quickly, and virtually everyone, including the Russians, is eager to shed the communist legacy that this empire spawned.
13. Spanish – While this is tempting to include, I would venture to say that it is regional, with the region being Central and South America. On the other hand, how is its influence felt anywhere else in the world today (and Equatorial Guinea and Spanish Sahara don’t really count)?
14. Zhou – This is also very tempting, but why the Zhou and not the Han? Furthermore, I would argue that its influence is limited, being limited to a (rather large) corner of Asia.
Having listed all of the above, I will now make my picks. Four of them appear above, and there are already great images and videos for them. One of them, however, is unique to my list, and I will provide some media to support it.
1. Akkadian Empire of Sargon II – Of all the empires, this is the smallest, but it is nonetheless one of the most influential because it was the first empire, i.e., the first government to break free of the constraints of the nation state (or city state) and to unite a diverse group of different peoples, cultures, religions, and languages under a unified political system. All of the great Western and Middle Eastern empires can trace their roots to the Akkadian Empire.
2. Alexandrine
3. Roman
4. Islamic
5. British
When asking what the greatest empires in history were, I have to wonder what is meant by greatest. Is it a reference to the amount of area controlled? The number of people governed? It is regional or global? Is the number of years it existed a factor?
I am going to suggest that the answer is actually based on lasting, long-term impact of the empire.
I am going to look at the empires that have already been proposed, consider their strengths and drawbacks, and make my own list. Four out of my five have already been listed. One is unique
The list of candidates to date are:
1. Alexandrine – This empire is important because it spanned east and west, and had a lasting impact until today. Alexander is still considered a hero from the US to Afghanistan (which has its own versions of the Alexander legend). Many scholars even identify Alexander with Dhul-Qarnayn of the Qur’an, the righteous ruler who contains Gog and Magog. The drawback is that his empire was very short-lived—It collapsed when he died at the age of 33. Nevertheless, it set the groundwork for the spread of Hellenistic ideas to all corners of the world.
2. British – This is truly the greatest empire of the modern era, covering one-quarter of the earth’s land area and governing one-quarter of the world’s population. It set also the groundwork for the United States, which is the world’s current great empire. The fact that English is the international lingua franca and that democracy is so far spread is because of the British Empire and its daughter empire, the United States.
3. Egyptian – This is probably the longest-lasting empire, surviving for some three millennia. On the other hand, what remains of ancient Egyptian culture today? While the pyramids survive, its language, culture, and political institutions no longer have any impact.
4. French – The French Empire is a lot like the British Empire, except that it never had the same impact. It is the historical also-ran, the runner-up in Empire Idol. French is an international language, but with all due respect to the Francophonie, it doesn’t have the same reach as English. Its cultural and political institutions likewise lack the same impact that the British institutions had. To ask seriously, what countries today are still impacted by British institutions (the U.S., Canada, Australia, India, to name a few), and what countries today are still impacted by French institutions (the province of Quebec, some impoverished countries in Africa).
5. Holy Roman – This is another strong contender, but it is remarkably regional, its impact being limited to Europe, and even then, not to England, which would have spread its culture internationally.
6. Islamic – One of the great empires of all time. The fact that Arabic is now spoken from the Atlantic to Iran, and that Islam now dominates the religious landscape from Morocco to Indonesia says it all. And its impact is still growing. Central Asia is predominantly Muslim, and there are anywhere from 20 to 100 million Muslims in China is indicative of its strength. And the fact that Islamic nations are still a force to be reckoned with in international bodies such as the UN, and even in Europe and the US because of immigration, can be traced directly to the impact of the Islamic empire.
7. Japanese – Also very regional.
8. Mongol – One of the great empires of all time, controlling most of Asia. Its cultural impact is still felt, though mostly in China and India. Having said that, it is unusual as empires go because it was a nomadic empire, but this actually facilitated its greatest impact: trade between east and west. By the way, this not only means silk and pepper. It also includes such things as disease: the Black Death which ravaged Europe, is largely the result of rodents that accompanied traders across Central Asia, thanks to the Pax Mongolica (yes, there is such a term).
9. Ottoman – It had the potential, but it didn’t fulfill it. Things may have been different if the Battle of Vienna had been won by the Turks, but it wasn’t, and the Turks did not manage to spread Turkish and Islamic culture to Europe. It then stopped growing, and became very regional. How extensive is Turkish culture in today’s world? How extensive is it in the Ottoman’s former territories?
10. Persian – The Persian Empire is to the Roman Empire what the French Empire was to the British Empire, an also-ran. If the Battle of Marathon had gone differently, it may have established a foothold in Europe, and history might have run a different course. But it didn’t, and remained essentially, a regional empire.
11. Rome – The empire par excellence, its influence extends far beyond the Mediterranean Basin. The fact that Christianity is one of the biggest religions in the world is largely because of the Roman Empire. Roman law still lies at the basis of many legal systems, by way of the Corpus Juris Civilis of Justinian. Finally, many emperors titled themselves after the Roman Caesars long after Rome disintegrated, including Charlemagne, the Kaiser of Germany, and the Tsar of Russia. Note that the latter ruled countries that were, for the most part, not even governed by Rome.
12. Soviet – Yet another also-ran. While it once had genuine global scope to rival the U.S., it collapsed quickly, and virtually everyone, including the Russians, is eager to shed the communist legacy that this empire spawned.
13. Spanish – While this is tempting to include, I would venture to say that it is regional, with the region being Central and South America. On the other hand, how is its influence felt anywhere else in the world today (and Equatorial Guinea and Spanish Sahara don’t really count)?
14. Zhou – This is also very tempting, but why the Zhou and not the Han? Furthermore, I would argue that its influence is limited, being limited to a (rather large) corner of Asia.
Having listed all of the above, I will now make my picks. Four of them appear above, and there are already great images and videos for them. One of them, however, is unique to my list, and I will provide some media to support it.
1. Akkadian Empire of Sargon II – Of all the empires, this is the smallest, but it is nonetheless one of the most influential because it was the first empire, i.e., the first government to break free of the constraints of the nation state (or city state) and to unite a diverse group of different peoples, cultures, religions, and languages under a unified political system. All of the great Western and Middle Eastern empires can trace their roots to the Akkadian Empire.
2. Alexandrine
3. Roman
4. Islamic
5. British
images:
videos:
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M$Report Abuse
1. **Roman Empire**
The Roman Empire came after the Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization. It was best known for its autocratic government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Empire
http://www.thejournal.org/studylibrary/maps/roman-empire.gif
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmeWxGhGdqs
2. **Persian Empire**
The Achaemenid Persian Empire between 550–330 BC was the largest empire of the ancient world. Its greatest reign was under Darius the Great and Xerxes the Great.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_Empire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAaakESLo4A
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/Median-empire-600BCE.png
3. **Ottoman Empire**
During the height of its power between the 16th and 17th century it spanned three continents, controlling much of Southeastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottoman_Empire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5jE7y5vT5M
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/06/OttomanEmpireIn1683.png/250px-OttomanEmpireIn1683.png
4. **Zhou Dynasty**
The Zhou Dynasty was the longest Chinese dynasty. During this dynasty iron was introduced to China and it was the greatest time of Chinese bronze-ware making.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhou_Dynasty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDQeLOoUQrQ
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/China_2a.jpg/250px-China_2a.jpg
5. **British Empire**
At the peak of its reign, it was said that, "the sun never sets on the British Empire" because its span across the globe ensured that the sun was always shining on at least one of its numerous territories.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Empire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFWU9moYST8
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/26/The_British_Empire.png/800px-The_British_Empire.png
The Roman Empire came after the Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization. It was best known for its autocratic government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Empire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmeWxGhGdqs
2. **Persian Empire**
The Achaemenid Persian Empire between 550–330 BC was the largest empire of the ancient world. Its greatest reign was under Darius the Great and Xerxes the Great.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_Empire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAaakESLo4A
3. **Ottoman Empire**
During the height of its power between the 16th and 17th century it spanned three continents, controlling much of Southeastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottoman_Empire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5jE7y5vT5M
4. **Zhou Dynasty**
The Zhou Dynasty was the longest Chinese dynasty. During this dynasty iron was introduced to China and it was the greatest time of Chinese bronze-ware making.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhou_Dynasty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDQeLOoUQrQ
5. **British Empire**
At the peak of its reign, it was said that, "the sun never sets on the British Empire" because its span across the globe ensured that the sun was always shining on at least one of its numerous territories.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Empire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFWU9moYST8
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M$
Awesome list Easye, great use of videos and maps!
Thanks! These empires are not in any particular order. They were the first that came to my mind.
Might I recommend this site:
http://www.allempires.com/
And a chart to boggle your mind:
http://www.allempires.com/article/index.php?q=AE_Chart
A small view of part of it looks like this:
If you are going to debate the greatness of empires (if indeed having or being an empire has anything to do with greatness) you'd probably want to consider how big they were, how long they lasted, and what influence they had.
It seems like you could make a case for many one or other grounds. Probably only the Roman and British are beyond dispute.
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Number One;
The Mongol Empire
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bc/Mongol_Empire_map_2.gif
From;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongol_Empire
"At its greatest extent it stretched from the Danube to the Sea of Japan and from Arctic to Camboja, covering over 33,000,000 km2 (12,741,000 sq mi),1 22% of the Earth's total land area, and held sway over a population of over 100 million people."
Although the Mongol Empire did break up into separate states after the death of its founder, it remained an empire in that there was one central authority to whom the other heads owed their fealty.
Number Two
The Soviet Union
From;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_Union
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/75/Union_of_Soviet_Socialist_Republics_%28orthographic_projection%29.svg/541px-Union_of_Soviet_Socialist_Republics_%28orthographic_projection%29.svg.png
Notice on the map that it also controlled eastern Europe, Mongolia and, until the split, it also was the most influential state in China. In addition it had client states in Cuba, Vietnam, Ethiopia, and heavily influenced many of the African and Mid-East states.
Number Three;
The British Empire
The British Empire was different from the first two empires in that it had control of all of the oceans on the earth, the first empire that could make such a claim.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/26/The_British_Empire.png/800px-The_British_Empire.png
From;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_British_Empire.png
Number Four;
The French Empire
In an Anglophile world the French Empire is often forgotten. But under the Sun King, Louis the 14th, the French Empire dominated the world until it was defeated by the British Empire.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8b/Empirecolonialfran%C3%A7ais.png/800px-Empirecolonialfran%C3%A7ais.png
From;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Empirecolonialfran%C3%A7ais.png
Number Five;
The Roman Empire
The Roman Empire differed from the Empire of Alexander the Great in that it was a true empire that evolved and did not dissolve into different states after the death of its founder.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/RomanEmpire_117.svg/800px-RomanEmpire_117.svg.png
From;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Empire
"Roman expansion began in the days of the Republic, but reached its zenith under Emperor Trajan. At this territorial peak, the Roman Empire controlled approximately 5,900,000 km² (2,300,000 sq mi) of land surface. Because of the Empire's vast extent and long endurance, Roman influence upon the language, religion, architecture, philosophy, law, and government of nations around the world lasts to this day."
The Mongol Empire
From;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongol_Empire
"At its greatest extent it stretched from the Danube to the Sea of Japan and from Arctic to Camboja, covering over 33,000,000 km2 (12,741,000 sq mi),1 22% of the Earth's total land area, and held sway over a population of over 100 million people."
Although the Mongol Empire did break up into separate states after the death of its founder, it remained an empire in that there was one central authority to whom the other heads owed their fealty.
Number Two
The Soviet Union
From;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_Union
Notice on the map that it also controlled eastern Europe, Mongolia and, until the split, it also was the most influential state in China. In addition it had client states in Cuba, Vietnam, Ethiopia, and heavily influenced many of the African and Mid-East states.
Number Three;
The British Empire
The British Empire was different from the first two empires in that it had control of all of the oceans on the earth, the first empire that could make such a claim.
From;
Number Four;
The French Empire
In an Anglophile world the French Empire is often forgotten. But under the Sun King, Louis the 14th, the French Empire dominated the world until it was defeated by the British Empire.
From;
Number Five;
The Roman Empire
The Roman Empire differed from the Empire of Alexander the Great in that it was a true empire that evolved and did not dissolve into different states after the death of its founder.
From;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Empire
"Roman expansion began in the days of the Republic, but reached its zenith under Emperor Trajan. At this territorial peak, the Roman Empire controlled approximately 5,900,000 km² (2,300,000 sq mi) of land surface. Because of the Empire's vast extent and long endurance, Roman influence upon the language, religion, architecture, philosophy, law, and government of nations around the world lasts to this day."
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M$
Roman Empire (27 B.C.–393 A.D.)
Spanish Empire(1402-1975)
French Empire 2012 - 2021
British Empire 1713 - The British still includes America by 1921 The British ruled about 458 million people
Egypt Empire - 3000 B.C.
Spanish Empire(1402-1975)
French Empire 2012 - 2021
British Empire 1713 - The British still includes America by 1921 The British ruled about 458 million people
Egypt Empire - 3000 B.C.
videos:
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1. The Maurya Empire (321–185 B.C.), ruled by the Mauryan dynasty, was geographically extensive, powerful, and richest empire of the world.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurya_Empire
http://www.uncp.edu/home/rwb/MAURYA.GIF
2. Gupta Empire (280–550 A.D.) - it has been called the Golden Age of India.
http://www.iloveindia.com/history/ancient-india/gupta-dynasty.html
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/IndiaGuptaEmpire.jpg/300px-IndiaGuptaEmpire.jpg
3. Alexander's Greek empire 356 BC – 323 BC)
Alexander set out east against the Persian Empire, which he defeated and overthrew. His conquests included Anatolia, the Levant, Egypt, Bactria and Mesopotamia, and he extended the boundaries of his own empire as far as Punjab, India.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_the_Great
http://herculean.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/hellenistic-world-picture-from-house-of-ptolemy-website.gif
4. Mughal Empire (1526-1707)
At the height of its power, around 1700, it controlled most of the Indian Subcontinent - extending from present-day Bangladesh in east to Balochistan in west, Kashmir in north to Kaveri basin in south.needed Its population at that time has been estimated as between 110 and 130 million, over a territory of over 4 million square km.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mughal_Empire
http://sun.menloschool.org/~sportman/westernstudies/first/1718/2000/eblock/mughal/image18.gif
5. British Empire (1497 - 1997)
At its height it was the largest empire in history and, for over a century, was the foremost global power. By 1922, the British Empire held sway over a population of about 458 million people, one-quarter of the world's population, and covered more than 13,000,000 square miles - approximately a quarter of Earth's total land area
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Empire
http://keitholbermannisevil.files.wordpress.com/2006/11/british-empire-1897.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurya_Empire
2. Gupta Empire (280–550 A.D.) - it has been called the Golden Age of India.
http://www.iloveindia.com/history/ancient-india/gupta-dynasty.html
3. Alexander's Greek empire 356 BC – 323 BC)
Alexander set out east against the Persian Empire, which he defeated and overthrew. His conquests included Anatolia, the Levant, Egypt, Bactria and Mesopotamia, and he extended the boundaries of his own empire as far as Punjab, India.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_the_Great
4. Mughal Empire (1526-1707)
At the height of its power, around 1700, it controlled most of the Indian Subcontinent - extending from present-day Bangladesh in east to Balochistan in west, Kashmir in north to Kaveri basin in south.needed Its population at that time has been estimated as between 110 and 130 million, over a territory of over 4 million square km.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mughal_Empire
5. British Empire (1497 - 1997)
At its height it was the largest empire in history and, for over a century, was the foremost global power. By 1922, the British Empire held sway over a population of about 458 million people, one-quarter of the world's population, and covered more than 13,000,000 square miles - approximately a quarter of Earth's total land area
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Empire
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M$
1. Rome Empire
2. Macedon Empire
3. Persian Empire
4. Ottoman Empire
5. British Empire
2. Macedon Empire
3. Persian Empire
4. Ottoman Empire
5. British Empire
source(s):
Daniels vision a statute in Nebuchadnezzar dream
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebuchadnezzar's_statue_vision_in_Daniel_2
Daniels vision a statute in Nebuchadnezzar dream
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebuchadnezzar's_statue_vision_in_Daniel_2
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Both answers so far left out the Mongol Empire of the 13th and 14th century. It was the 2nd largest empire ever (Barely smaller than the British) and it reached from Poland to the Pacific.
I am not exactly sure what ranking I would give it, but it would probably be in my top 5.
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From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire
"An empire, with powers known among Romans as "imperium", comprises a set of regions locally ruled by governors, viceroys or client kings in the name of an emperor. By extending a comparison with the Roman Empire, one could classify as an empire any large, multi-ethnic state ruled from a single center. Like other states, an empire maintains its political structure at least partly by coercion. Land-based empires (such as Russia or Achaemenid Persia) tend to extend in a contiguous area; sea-borne empires, also known as thalassocracies (the Athenian and British empires provide examples), may feature looser structures and more scattered territories."
Now, although what constitutes the greatness of an "Empire" can be soundly debated to no end, there are a few attributes that are clearly above other considerations in this regard.
First and foremost is size, next come riches, and then we have the likes of great rulers, influence, and military strength. What is usually not taken into account here are length of time that the empire survived, and its population, as the health of an empire is based on the stability of it's economy and subsequently the happiness of it's people. Thus, going by all these parameters, the Top 5 Empires would be:
1. The Qing Dynasty - (AD 1644 to 1911) - 267 years
http://images.absoluteastronomy.com/images/encyclopediaimages/p/po/portrait_of_the_kangxi_emperor_in_court_dress.jpg
http://wpcontent.answers.com/wikipedia/en/5/54/Territories_of_Dynasties_in_China.gif
http://people.cohums.ohio-state.edu/bender4/eall131/EAHReadings/module02/imageforcontent/population.jpg
2. The Mauryan Empire - (321-185 B.C) - 136 years
http://images.absoluteastronomy.com/images/encyclopediaimages/a/as/ashoka2.jpg
http://www.uncp.edu/home/rwb/MAURYA.GIF
Population: 50 million
3. The Umayyad Caliphate - (661-750) - 89 years
http://lh3.google.com/alexbarrow/R28Vj1oM0NI/AAAAAAAAAVs/27YB-InEvq8/Reconquista-rendicion-granada.jpg?imgmax=800
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/122/281780073_f6cf2f106f.jpg
Population: about 30% of the known world's population.
4. The Mughal Empire - (1526-1857) - 331 years
http://www.nomadicmatt.com/photos/blog%20pics/historicalplaces/Taj%20Mahal.jpg
http://sun.menloschool.org/%7Esportman/westernstudies/first/1718/2000/eblock/mughal/image18.gif
Population: 150 million
5. The Ming Dynasty - (1368-1644) - 276 years
http://images.absoluteastronomy.com/images/encyclopediaimages/y/yo/yongle-emperor1.jpg
http://homepages.stmartin.edu/Fac_Staff/rlangill/HIS%20217%20maps/Ming%20dynasty%20map.jpg
Population: 150 million
"An empire, with powers known among Romans as "imperium", comprises a set of regions locally ruled by governors, viceroys or client kings in the name of an emperor. By extending a comparison with the Roman Empire, one could classify as an empire any large, multi-ethnic state ruled from a single center. Like other states, an empire maintains its political structure at least partly by coercion. Land-based empires (such as Russia or Achaemenid Persia) tend to extend in a contiguous area; sea-borne empires, also known as thalassocracies (the Athenian and British empires provide examples), may feature looser structures and more scattered territories."
Now, although what constitutes the greatness of an "Empire" can be soundly debated to no end, there are a few attributes that are clearly above other considerations in this regard.
First and foremost is size, next come riches, and then we have the likes of great rulers, influence, and military strength. What is usually not taken into account here are length of time that the empire survived, and its population, as the health of an empire is based on the stability of it's economy and subsequently the happiness of it's people. Thus, going by all these parameters, the Top 5 Empires would be:
1. The Qing Dynasty - (AD 1644 to 1911) - 267 years
2. The Mauryan Empire - (321-185 B.C) - 136 years
Population: 50 million
3. The Umayyad Caliphate - (661-750) - 89 years
http://lh3.google.com/alexbarrow/R28Vj1oM0NI/AAAAAAAAAVs/27YB-InEvq8/Reconquista-rendicion-granada.jpg?imgmax=800
Population: about 30% of the known world's population.
4. The Mughal Empire - (1526-1857) - 331 years
Population: 150 million
5. The Ming Dynasty - (1368-1644) - 276 years
Population: 150 million
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Great in what respect? Size? Duration? Esthetics? Of all time? Past? Future? Other? I think I'll pick, well...
The five greatest Empires of All Time countdown:
5. The Empire of Mongo. Its most famous Emperor, Ming the Merciless, ruled the entire planet of Mongo. The Empire's advanced technologies included Rocket Ships, Death Rays, and Robots.
http://www.virginmedia.com/images/mingmercy-431x300.jpg
4. The Romulan Empire. One of the larger multisystem dominions in the Milky Way, the Romulan Empire will be mostly ruled by its Senate but will have had an Empress at one point. Its best known technology is the Cloaking Device, but it will also contribute a very strong, characteristically blue beer.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e6/STBalofTerror.jpg
3. The Dark Empire. While deliberately evil, the Dark Empire was notable for the diversity of sentient races that it ruled. The Dark Empire ruled a large portion of a galaxy long ago and far away. It was particularly known for its white armored Imperial Storm Troopers.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0a/Palpatine_ROTJ.jpg/250px-Palpatine_ROTJ.jpg
2. The Galactic Empire. The Galactic Empire, which will be founded in about 8000 years, will eventually rule 25 million worlds. The Empire, despite its size, will be predominantly Human. It will fall but rise again.
http://wpcontent.answers.com/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/47/Isaac_Asimov_on_Throne.png/300px-Isaac_Asimov_on_Throne.png
1. The Dalek Empire. The Dalek Empire will or has conquered an entire galaxy four times the size of the Milky Way. And now, or then, it sought or will seek to conquer the Milky Way as well. Due to time travel, the Dalek Empire is a Great Empire in All Time.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/93/Dalekcity.jpg
The five greatest Empires of All Time countdown:
5. The Empire of Mongo. Its most famous Emperor, Ming the Merciless, ruled the entire planet of Mongo. The Empire's advanced technologies included Rocket Ships, Death Rays, and Robots.
4. The Romulan Empire. One of the larger multisystem dominions in the Milky Way, the Romulan Empire will be mostly ruled by its Senate but will have had an Empress at one point. Its best known technology is the Cloaking Device, but it will also contribute a very strong, characteristically blue beer.
3. The Dark Empire. While deliberately evil, the Dark Empire was notable for the diversity of sentient races that it ruled. The Dark Empire ruled a large portion of a galaxy long ago and far away. It was particularly known for its white armored Imperial Storm Troopers.
2. The Galactic Empire. The Galactic Empire, which will be founded in about 8000 years, will eventually rule 25 million worlds. The Empire, despite its size, will be predominantly Human. It will fall but rise again.
1. The Dalek Empire. The Dalek Empire will or has conquered an entire galaxy four times the size of the Milky Way. And now, or then, it sought or will seek to conquer the Milky Way as well. Due to time travel, the Dalek Empire is a Great Empire in All Time.
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1. British Empire (of Queen Victoria)
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jyIYP1-t1W0/SIAJQW74jdI/AAAAAAAAB04/bArQf0s0EPE/s400/carte.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrQTR19nRpA
2. Persian Empire (of Darius the Great)
http://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson_images/EvalGraphics/PersianEmpire03.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCQY_8aK5Bk
3. Roman Empire (of Augustus Octavian)
http://www.wwnorton.com/college/history/ralph/ralimage/map9rome.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI8anMciiD8
4. Mughal Empire (of Shah Jahan, who built TajMahal)
http://www.wwnorton.com/college/history/ralph/ralimage/map21ind.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t8Wo4MyjJc
5. Ottoman Empire (of Sultan Suleyman)
http://www.uncp.edu/home/rwb/Ottoman_map.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5jE7y5vT5M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrQTR19nRpA
2. Persian Empire (of Darius the Great)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCQY_8aK5Bk
3. Roman Empire (of Augustus Octavian)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI8anMciiD8
4. Mughal Empire (of Shah Jahan, who built TajMahal)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t8Wo4MyjJc
5. Ottoman Empire (of Sultan Suleyman)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5jE7y5vT5M
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here is a list of the greatest empires
1)Roman
2)Mongolian
3)Alexander's
4)British
5)Holy Roman
6)Byzantine
7)Islam
8)Spanish
9)French
10)Japanese
1)Roman
2)Mongolian
3)Alexander's
4)British
5)Holy Roman
6)Byzantine
7)Islam
8)Spanish
9)French
10)Japanese
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We have great empires in history namely
1. Alexander the great empire
Alexander III of Macedonia lived on ly for 33 years ( 356 to 323 BC) but built an empire covering Persia , Egypt ,Greece and Babylon
2. Chinese Empire
Small Kingdom united under one Emperor the famous are Qin Dynasty from 221BC to AD200
3. Roman Empire
The Roman empire was built by Caesar Augustus in 31BC Colonies strectched from Middle east ,spain , Great Britain to North Africa
Fell apart in AD 476
4. Ottoman Empire
Ottoman empire was mighty Islmaic state 13 th century to 20th century.Area covered Turkey , South west asia , south east europe , North Africa .Most powerful empire in 1500 to 1600s century
5. British Empire
At the beginning of 20 th century since 15 th century british were expanding their empire from South Africa , Australia , India , Egypt , Iraq , Canada
They ruled till beginning of 1900s. Ended by 1940s after WWII
1. Alexander the great empire
Alexander III of Macedonia lived on ly for 33 years ( 356 to 323 BC) but built an empire covering Persia , Egypt ,Greece and Babylon
2. Chinese Empire
Small Kingdom united under one Emperor the famous are Qin Dynasty from 221BC to AD200
3. Roman Empire
The Roman empire was built by Caesar Augustus in 31BC Colonies strectched from Middle east ,spain , Great Britain to North Africa
Fell apart in AD 476
4. Ottoman Empire
Ottoman empire was mighty Islmaic state 13 th century to 20th century.Area covered Turkey , South west asia , south east europe , North Africa .Most powerful empire in 1500 to 1600s century
5. British Empire
At the beginning of 20 th century since 15 th century british were expanding their empire from South Africa , Australia , India , Egypt , Iraq , Canada
They ruled till beginning of 1900s. Ended by 1940s after WWII
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M$
