Position:Home>History> Which was the longest lived empire in history?

There are several long-lived empires and/or civilizations whose reigns span several hundreds of years to millenia!.

The Egyptian Empire stretched from roughly 3150 BCE to 30 BCE, making it the longest lived at 3130 years!.
It’s difficult to isolate any single reason for their longevity!. The early tribes of ancient Egypt perfected wealth-making skills in pottery and copper, as well as animal husbandry!. This meant better quality of life and accumulation of citizens!. It also guaranteed trade!.

The evolution of trade routes and the establishment of Memphis created a strong foundation for the civilization!. They were wealthy, and developed excellent rapport with neighboring governments!. The development of a central ruler, strong military, and a flexible system of religious practice kept order!. They flourished!.

Over the course of the empire there were intermediate periods, however, where the governments collapsed and the empire was weak!. This is where the debate comes in as to the ’longest-lived’

The Mayan civilization is probably the longest lived without significant intermediate failures - their reign stretched from approximately 2000 BCE to 900 AD - a reign of 2900 years!. The basis for the strength of their empire is a strong centralized ruler, technological advances, diversification and a formidable fighting ability!.

The reason for the failure of the Mayan civilization is unknown, but it is suspected that there was a disastrous climate change!.

The Byzantines enjoyed a 1,000 year reign, with weak periods, and some say that they lived off of the remnants of the dead Roman empire!.

The Chinese empire began at approximately 250 BCE, and some argue that it continues to this day, although popular opinion dates the end of the empire with the end of imperial China in 1368!. There are more modern texts which declare the fall as late as the early 20th century!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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Well it was not Egypt!. Egypt EXISTED from around 3000BC, but it was NOT an Empire for most of that time!.

It was conquered and ruled at different times by the Hyksos(Sea Peoples), Assyrians, Persians, Greeks, Romans etc!.

The Sumerians (worlds First civilisation, invented Writing, The Wheel, Mathematics, Beer, Astronomy, Calendar etc) lasted from 3300BC to around 2000BC, before they were absorbed by the Akkadians(Assyrians & Babylonians)

Assyrian Empire was a powerful nation, ruling many other territories(Including Egypt, Babylon, Persia, parts of Greece, Asia Minor) on and off from around 2000BC to 608BC (If you include their Akkadian ancestors you can stretch that to 2400BC)

Their Babylonian brothers were powerful from 1800BC to 524BC

The Hittites were powerful Imperially from around 2200BC to 1200BC!.

Persia came to prominence in 6th Century BC, and remained powerful until being conquered by the Muslim Arabs in 7th Century AD!

China has a long history, but like the Egyptians, they spent time divided, or even ruled by foreigners like the Mongols!.

Rome lasted as an Empire from around 250BC until it fell apart in the 5th Century AD!.

The British Empire really started to build from the 16th Century, and ended in the second half of the 20th Century!.!.!.last major colony was Hong Kong in 1997!

The Arab, Mongol,Ottoman(Turkish), Spanish, French, Portuguese, Dutch empires all lasted roughly between 250 and 500 years!.

There were a number of Empires in India also, with powerful kings such as Chandragupta, but these lasted for a few hundred years each at best!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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You god exelent answers above!.
Key factor is: Judge based on Culture (Chinese and Egyptians would be the winners meanwhile I have this strange feeling to also add Catholic Church which would goes into a third place!.
Every Empire had its setbacks!. Roman empire moved around Republic, Ditactorship and other government structures!. Persian had been defeated by Alexander the Great and Mongols!. British empire found its end when lost Australia and US!.
Egyptians and Chinese had the longest culture, well developed and more advanced at their time!. Culture that Europe only reach at early XVII century!. (500 years gap)!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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Probably the Chinese Empire, it lasted more than 2000 years!. Although admittedly there were a few periods when central control broke down!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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Probably The Roman Empire!. From beginning to end it lasted about 1000 yrs!. Could be the Egyptians, they were an empire for a long time too!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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