Which was the greatest empire of all times?

Question: Which was the greatest empire of all times!?

!.!.!.and why!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

The Roman Empire, of courseWww@QuestionHome@Com

Excellent question! Have a star!

There are so many to choose from, the answere above had an excellent point about the Chinese, but they are still yet to become a global superpower despite their long and wonderful history, although that is set to change!.

In classical history there was of course the Romans, they conquered most of the world and even though the empire is gone their influence still remains in the world today (especially on world religions!)

Before them there were the Greeks, arguably one of the greatest cultures in prehistory with advances in art, architecture, politics, democracy and many other reforms that again, still affect us today!.

But despite that I think in RECORDED history it has to be the ancient Egyptians, with a history that outspans even the Chinese, the ancient Egyptians had an empire of their own that spanned much of Africa and influenced the meditteranean and the middle east, and gave us some of the ancient wonders of the world!.

But even before them there is increasing evidence of a lost culture (Some jump on it as the fabled Atlantis, other Scholars are loathe to call it that)!. But their is evidence that a vast empire, of unknown proportions flourished and then declined, with huge seafaring capabilities and advances in architecture, art, science and other areas which it has taken up untill modern times to replicate!. This was the society that influenced the dawn of the pharaonic era in ancient Egypt and the civilisations of South America, and even as far as Asia!. The evidence is there and easily researchable!. I think this forgotten empire of prehistory was the greatest empire of all time!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

This depends on a number of factors and a lot of these will depend on your own interpretation of them!. The area covered, how long the empire lasted how the subjects were treated, how many enemies existed inside and outside the borders and the general well being of people who were part of the empire to name but a few!.
Here follows a few examples:-
The empire of Alexander the Great even though it only lasted during his lifetime!.
The Roman empire which reached it's greatest extent under the the Emperor Trajan!.
The Mongol empire which stretched from the far east to Poland
The Ottoman empire!.
The Moorish empire which covered the middle east to Spain!.
The Napoleonic empire although it was short lived and it's borders were constantly changing!.
The greatest empire, though, was probably the British Empire which, at it's greatest extent, covered most of the globe!. The majority of subjects within it's borders were happy, justice was reasonably fair and trade flourished!. Although, as with all empires, the controlling country had the upper hand and is always accused, sometimes unfairly, of exploiting it's subjects!. But, lets face it you would not have an empire if you did not get anything out of it as a return for your "investment"!. When the British Empire ceased to exist and countries had their independence a lot of them, but not all were worse off!. Anarchy reigned, civil war, mass starvation, disease and corrupt regimes were, and still are, in control!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

The British Empire of course! They were the largest empire in history!. At it's height in the 1910s and 20s, a quarter of the earth's population; one out of every four people on the planet, was a subject of King George V!.

Even today, the British Empire lives on in the Commonwealth of Nations; which has 53 members and nearly 1/3 of the earth's population, recognizing Queen Elizabeth II as their Head of State!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I think Alexander the Greats Empire was the greatest of all time!. Alexander ruled from Macedonia to India conquering peoples and countries in a very short time and at a very young age!.
But it's not just this that is so significant!. Alexanders Empire was a true revolution!. You could look at a country at a certain time and say "That was before Alexanders conquest and that was after"!. Under Alexander, countries and people changed along with their cultures!. massive changes in the way buildings were built and designed!. Art and fashions changed, even the way people ate changed!.
Trade routes opened up and people were able to enjoy luxuries from all over the world under Alexander!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

The Assyrian Empire!.

The first Empire to use a professionally trained, highly organised standing army, heavy cavalry etc!.

also, it was the first with a highly advanced civil administration, taxation system and well oiled lines of communication!.

It was also the worlds first truly large Empire, at its height encompassing Babylonia, Persia, Media, Elam, Hittites, Arabia, Egypt, Putria(Libya), Urartia, Phrygia and Lydia(all in Asia Minor), Armenia, Aramea, Syria, Phoenicia, Israel, Cyprus, and asiatic parts of Ancient Greece!.

It paved the way for the Persian, Greek and Roman empires that followed!. They largely followed the templates laid down by the Assyrians, and their ancestors, the Akkadians!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

The Chinese Empire, unlike the Roman Empire, which died completely in the 15th century, unlike the Mongol Empire, which was large, but short-lived, and unlike the British Empire, which lasted only four/five centuries, the Chinese Empire is going into its 27/28th century!. While it's impact in Europe may have been minimal, at least until Marco Polo visited, it's impact in Asia is hard to overstate!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It all depends on your definition of 'greatest' I suppose, since no one mentioned the Inka, Maya or Mexica (Aztec is a misnomer) I would say most people are very ethno-centric when they consider empires and likely only think in terms of imperialist or military expansion!. Which is actually kind of funny as no one even mentioned the USSR or Spain!.

I'll have to go with China though, the 19th and early 20th centuries were the only time periods were China was not a major global, or at least regional player in the last 3 or so thousand years!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It's surely the British Empire!. Apart from it's sheer scale it's the only Empire I know of where the subjects decided to create a friendly club called the Commonwealth after gaining independance from Britain!. That is testament to Britain's skillful and suave domination!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Before the 19th century!.!.!.I'd say the Mongol Empire!.!.!.since it stretched from Korea to the gates of Europe!.!.!.(they could have gone to Europe and easily won!.!.!.but they didn't!.!.!.)

After that it would be the British Empire!.!.!.because as they say the Sun never sets in the British Empire!Www@QuestionHome@Com

In terms of size, the British!.

In terms of historical importance, the Roman!.

In terms of effect on the future, Microsoft!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

The Roman Empire!.!.!.purely because it influenced, and was influenced by so many other cultures, and parts of it still exsist todayWww@QuestionHome@Com

Roman Empire, dunno why but it was pretty cool when I learnt about it in Years Four and Seven!.

British Empire, partly cos I'm British and partly cos they had most of the world in their hands!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

As others have said the British empire!. also the puesdo American Empire that is currently ruling the world has inherited the flame from the BritsWww@QuestionHome@Com

The First Gallactic Empire - because it was formed by a Sith Lord Darth Sidious who the died from the hand of his apprentice - Darth Vader!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

The Greek Empire because at the time when Alexander the Great rule, the Greeks took over every part of Europe!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

England!.
There still standing basically!.
The royal family is still alive!.
They have a state religion that functions fairly well too!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

the one we are currently living in as it is globalWww@QuestionHome@Com

The Empire Strikes Back because it was more fun than Empire of the Sun!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I think it was the Mongol empire led by genghis khan!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

britain it owned most of the world!Www@QuestionHome@Com

The Welsh empire!Www@QuestionHome@Com