Taking over the world is the dream of at least half of the villains from comics and superhero blockbusters. Some less bloodthirsty individuals (a debatable claim, of course) go about capturing new lands the old-fashioned way: send out dreamers or adventurers to scout and then take territory from others. However, sometimes (well, what is really here - extremely rarely) the conquerors offer mutually beneficial cooperation and peaceful coexistence. In the modern world, no one has taken the liberty of leading a new empire (underground and criminal grounds do not count), but even in the middle of the twentieth century, no one thought that the Age of Empires had come to an end. Let's start from 500 BC and follow the milestones in the history of the 25 most grandiose empires of our planet. To simplify understanding, the selected dates indicate the peak of the development of the state. The superpowers of the 20th century were not included in the list because they did not call themselves "empires".
Achaemenid Empire - 500 BC
The Persians, so much disliked by the Spartans, did a lot of good
Being on the 18th line of the hit parade of empires with the largest area, the Achaemenid Empire (or the Persian Empire at number one) is already impressive. At the zenith of power, in 550 BC, the Achaemenid territory reaches an area of 3.5 million square kilometers. Under their rule were the lands of almost all modern states of the Middle East and part of modern Russia. No less surprising is the fact that under Cyrus the Great, architecture and culture developed rapidly in the empire, roads and post offices were built everywhere. Progress is commendable. And every self-respecting ruler did the same.
Empire of Alexander the Great - 323 BC
Great ConquestGreat Alexander
Alexander the Great created a state that overthrew the Achaemenid Empire from the pedestal of power (hello Sparta) and completed the construction of a powerful Hellenistic union, glorifying the ancient Greek civilization for centuries, along with Aristotle and mass orgies. At the zenith of power, the Macedonian Empire spread over 3.5% of the land, making it the 21st largest in human history (the defeated Persians still surpassed Alexander, but this did not help them much).
Mauryan Empire - 250 BC
Don't you want Indian imperialism?
The death of Alexander the Great came as a complete surprise to his associates, who were mired in a squabble over pieces of the empire. At this time, distant lands were left to themselves, which did not miss the opportunity to take advantage of the local rulers: India and the surrounding territories were captured by the Mauryan Empire, which as a result became the most powerful state entity on the Hindustan peninsula. Under the control of the wise and prudent Ashoka the Great, the Mauryan Empire occupied about 3 million square kilometers and was the 23rd largest empire in the annals of human development.
Xiongnu - 209 BC
The possible ancestors of the Huns did not waste time in vain
During the IV and III centuries BC. China was divided into several small specific principalities, constantly at war with each other. Of course, the wars among the settled peoples attracted the steppes like kites. The nomadic tribes of the Xiongnu easily carried out raids on the provinces weakened by feudal fragmentation in the north. During the era of greatest power, the Xiongnu empire occupied 6% of the land area and was the 10th greatest power in the annals of history. She was so invincible that it took the Han Dynasty decades of compromises and marriage agreements to keep the invaders in line.
Western Han Dynasty - 50 BC
the period that gave rise to Chinese sovereignty
Speaking of the Han Dynasty, one should not forget about its Western part, which reached its peak of power a century after the Eastern. Of course, its territories are incomparable with the conquests of the Xiongnu, but the area of 3.8 million square kilometers with a population of 57 million people makes one imbued with respect and put the Western Han on the 17th line of the hit parade of empires. In their desire to expand their borders, the Han pushed the Xiongnu northward and captured the territories of modern Vietnam and Korea. Thanks to the diplomatic talent of the diplomat and traveler Zhang Qian, the contacts of the dynasty were expanded to Rome, and the Great Silk Road was also opened.
Eastern Han Dynasty - 100 years
The younger brother of the Han clan
The Eastern Han Dynasty lasted nearly two centuries, through riots, conspiracies, political crisis, and a faltering economy. Despite its apparent weakness, this empire was the 12th largest in history, leapfrogging its predecessor. The dynastic territories covered 4.2 million square kilometers (4.4% of the land area).
Roman Empire - 117
Ave Caesar and other imperial ways - it all came from Rome
Due to its wide popularity, the Roman Empire is considered almost the coolest in the world (thanks to American cinema and the chroniclers of the Caesars) - legions of soldiers, the Roman Senate, an almost modern standard of living and other wonders of the Dream Factory. Certainly, at the height of its power, Rome presided over the most extensive and sophisticated politico-social structure in Western civilization. The total area of land subject to the senate and the emperor did not exceed 2.6 million square kilometers, putting the birthplace of Gaius Julius Caesar only in 24th place in the list of largest empires. One way or another, the modern world would not be itself if it were not for the ancient Roman state.
Turkic Khaganate - 557
An empire that came from nowhere
The Turkic Khaganate occupied the territories in which central and northern China is now located. The history of the emergence of the conquering tribe is unclear, but just like the Xiongnu people 600 years before them, the nomads subjugated the territory of Inner Asia, the Silk Road and by 557 owned about 4% of the land surface. This puts them in 15th place in the list of the largest empires.
One of the biggest: Righteous Caliphate - 655
First Muslim state
The Righteous Caliphate became the first state formation in history based on the adherence to religion. In this case, Islam. It was born less than half a century after the death of the Prophet Muhammad in order to unite the disparate Muslim communities. Very little time separated the Caliphate from power over Egypt, Syria and the territory of the former Persian Empire. During its greatest power, the area of this state was almost 4 million square kilometers, making it the 14th largest in the history of the human race.
Umayyad Caliphate - 720
The splendor and grandeur of the Arab world
The caliphate became one of the four largest state formations in the Arab world. He grew up during a civil war among Muslim currents in 661. In addition to control over the lands of the Middle East, the territories of North Africa and Southern Europe were in the hands of the caliph. This power was inhabited by 29% of the inhabitants of the planet (62 million people) and the area was 7.45% of the total planetary area, making the Umayyad Caliphate the eighth largest empire in history.
Abbasid Caliphate - 750
Empire created by the descendants of the prophet
The age of Umayyad power turned out to be short-lived: the caliphate lasted 30 years, and then was captured by the Abbasids, who were led to the uprising by the descendants of the younger uncle of the prophet Muhammad (as they themselves stated, of course). According to the Abbasids, their "purer" lineage gave them the right to rule over the faithful. After a successful coup in 750 AD, the Abbasid Caliphate lasted four centuries and acquired many alliances, including with China. Although this empire did not exceed the size of the Umayyad Caliphate, but under the control of the descendants of Muhammad was about 8 million square kilometers of land, which puts their possessions on the seventh step in the list of the greatest empires. However, the power and size did not help the state, which fell under the onslaught of the hordes of Genghis Khan's army in 1206.
Tibetan Empire - 800
Diplomacy is the main weapon of Tibet
At the time of its heyday, no more than 3% of the world's population lived on the territory of the Tibetan Empire. And this is that in the West, gigantic states of Muslims were born and died in full swing, and in the East, the Tang dynasty, which was in a monolithic alliance with the Arabs, was in full swing. It can be said that Tibet of that time was surrounded by a pack of predators who dreamed of snatching a piece from it. And only thanks to diplomacy and good military training of soldiers, the Tibetan Empire lasted 200 years. Ironically, it was the growing influence of Buddhism and civil war that killed her, not external enemies.
Tang Dynasty - 820
The period that became the dawn of Chinese culture and art
The Tang Dynasty was the first state formation in China to choose cosmopolitanism and the exchange of cultural experience with other powers. The invention of the printing press, engravings, the flourishing of painting and literature belong to the period of the golden age of Tang. Two poets, Li Bai and Du Fu, who are considered among the greatest in Chinese history, lived during the reign of the Tang Dynasty. This empire did not last long (in comparison with other dynasties of China) - only three centuries, from 618 to 907, but its contribution to world culture and art cannot be underestimated. The territory of the dynasty consisted of 3.6% of the total land area.
Mongol Empire - 1270
One of the largest empires and families
Although the name of Genghis Khan is known to almost every inhabitant of the Earth, not everyone understands how huge his empire was. At its peak, the Mongol Empire covered an area of more than 19 million square kilometers (compared to four Roman empires or three US territories). Therefore, it is not surprising that the state of Genghis Khan "took silver" in the ranking of the largest powers in history.
Golden Horde - 1310
The main enemy of medieval Rus'
Genghis Khan was far from being a fool and clearly understood that his power rested on the authority of the leader. To ensure the stability and prosperity of the empire, he divided the subject territories among his many children, thus ensuring the law of succession to the throne and the division of power. Thus, even separate parts of the khanate were the most powerful state formations. The most striking and powerful "offshoot" of the Mongol Empire was the Golden Horde, which occupied 4.03% of the world's land.
Yuan Dynasty - 1310
An empire that has sunk into oblivion before reaching maturity
Thanks to the military talents of one of the many grandsons of Genghis Khan, first the northern lands of China, and then the rest of its territory, were united under the rule of the Yuan dynasty. By 1310, the Yuan State had become the largest independent part of the Mongol Empire, with an area of 8.5 million square kilometers. To the shame of the descendants of the great conqueror, Yuan also became one of the short-lived empires: the riots that flared up throughout the 14th century led to the overthrow of the authorities as early as 1368.
Ming Dynasty - 1450
The world's largest fleet is a clear reason for pride
The Ming Dynasty, as one would expect, grew up on the ruins of a bygone empire - the Yuan Dynasty. Although pressed from the north by the Mongols, Ming still owned 4.36% of the land area and ranked 13th in the list of major powers. This period also became famous for the construction of the largest Chinese (and world) fleet and the rapid development of maritime trade with almost the whole world.
Ottoman Empire - 1683
The Turkish state has always been stable (until now)
Istanbul at that time was still called Constantinople, becoming the capital of the Turkish (or Ottoman) Empire in spite of the entire Christian world. And although the area of this power was not as large as its predecessors, the Ottoman Empire showed miracles of amazing "survivability". This power successfully developed, prospered and fought for more than six centuries, fighting off attacks from the West and East from the 13th century until it fell during the First World War, giving way to the Republic of Turkey in 1922.
Qing Dynasty - 1790
The last breaths of the empire before the red era
Qing, the last imperial dynasty of China, left an impressive memory of itself: 10% of the planet and almost 400 million inhabitants, including Thailand and Korea. The Qing dynasty held power for nearly four centuries until uprisings in February 1912 prompted the last emperor to abdicate. It was these events that allowed the birth of the only country in the world that successfully combined socialist rule with a capitalist economy - the People's Republic of China (PRC).
Spanish Empire - 1810
Temporary Queen of the Seas
Spain, which for a long time remained in the shadow of European powers, by the end of the 18th century owned vast territories throughout the Earth. Thanks to the most powerful fleet (the long-time invincible Spanish Armada), Madrid controlled most of the islands of the Caribbean, almost all of South America, part of Central and North America, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East and even Europe.
Portuguese Empire - 1820
European old man-long-liver among maritime powers
The Portuguese colonial empire became the first state with a developed connection between the mother country and overseas provinces, but did not grow to the size of the Spanish Empire - it had “only” 3.69% of the land area at its disposal. At the same time, the Portuguese Empire became the longest-lived in Europe: for six centuries it claimed its rights to lands outside the territorial boundaries of the state and ceased to exist only on December 20, 1999.
Brazilian Empire - 1889
Gray horse among world powers
Born as part of the empire of the colonies of Portugal, the Brazilian state began its journey in 1822, declaring independence. The young state immediately attracted attention, which gave rise to military conflicts with Uruguay and Great Britain. Ironically, Brazil emerged victorious from both disputes, declaring itself to the whole world as a country with a progressive outlook on governance and foreign policy. By 1889, the Brazilian Empire occupied most of South America (7 million square kilometers).
Russian Empire - 1895
Land of vast territories and great victories
The Russian Empire became a colossal state that officially existed from 1721 to 1917. Born as an agricultural country with an ancient history and culture, by the 19th century Russia had become a powerful power, standing on a par with the most developed countries of that time, raising the population level from 15.5 to 171 million people (in 1895). Under the rule of the Russian emperor were not only the original Russian lands, but also Finland, the Baltic states, Poland, and almost all of Asia. Russia received "bronze" and an honorable third place in the ranking of the largest empires in human history.
Second Empire (France) - 1920
Another attempt by the French to become the rulers of the planet
To compete with Spain, Britain, Portugal, the United Provinces, France had to go a long way in the colonization of overseas lands. The first step towards this was the conquest of Algeria in 1830. By the 1920s, France owned lands in Africa, Southeast Asia, South America and the Middle East. Under the rule of the French were 7.7% of the world's territory and 5% of the world's population.
British Empire - 1920
The greatest power of all times and peoples
This may be obvious, but it is no less surprising: the British Empire was the most powerful and largest empire in the entire existence of man on planet Earth. The total area of land subject to the English crown was 26 million square kilometers (which is more than 30% more than the area of the Mongol Empire). The British ruled over a quarter of the world's population. The result of such a global expansion was the penetration of the English language and culture into everything, even the most remote corners of the world.
Most people consider the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997 as the end of British imperialism. However, if you look at the world map with an open mind, then Britain still controls most of the world, although it does so more unobtrusively. And perhaps it was Foggy Albion that achieved world domination.
Of course, history also knows other empires - the Aztecs, Mayans, Toltecs, ancient Egyptian and Greek civilizations, Knossos and Mycenaean culture, the Etruscan empire. However, all of them, although they made an incredible contribution to culture, art, science and the development of mankind, did not stand out in size. About them, ancient civilizations, as a source of wisdom and progress, should be discussed separately.
Seizing power must be the dream of at least half of aspiring supervillains. However, some more benevolent (doubtful) people try to do it the old-fashioned way: exploration, colonization, conquest, and sometimes (okay, sometimes) even win-win politics.
Although no one has yet been able to openly seize power (shadow communities do not count), the age of empires was certainly not boring, and as recently as the late 1900s, impressive progress was made.
Let's start all the way from 500 BC and go through it in chronological order to the present. Before you - 25 of the greatest and most powerful empires in the history of mankind!
25. Power of the Achaemenids - about 500 BC
As the 18th largest empire in history, the Achaemenid Empire (also called the first Persian Empire) is already impressive. At its peak around 550 B.C. they occupied an area of 31.6 million km², including the vast majority of the countries of the Middle East and regions of Russia.
Even more impressive, under Cyrus II the Great, the empire had a comprehensive social infrastructure, including roads and a postal service, that other empires would later strive to surpass.
24. Macedonian Empire - circa 323 BC
Under Alexander the Great, the Macedonian Empire destroyed the Achaemenid Empire and built the final Hellenistic state, laying the foundation for ancient Greek civilization, the philosophical contribution of Aristotle, and probably orgies.
At its peak, the Macedonian Empire occupied almost 3.5% of the entire world, making it the 21st largest empire in history (and the second largest after the Persian conquest).
23. Mauryan Empire - circa 250 BC
After the death of Alexander the Great, all of India and most of the surrounding area was conquered by the Mauryan Empire, resulting in the first (and largest) Indian Empire.
At its height, under the benevolent and diplomatic ruler known as Ashok the Great, the Mauryan Empire covered nearly 5 million km², making it the 23rd largest empire in history.
22. Xiongnu Empire - circa 209 BC
During the IV-III centuries. BC, what eventually became China consisted of several warring states. As a result, the Xiongnu's nomadic armies raided the northern territories.
During its heyday, the Xiongnu empire occupied more than 6% of the territory of the whole world, becoming the 10th largest empire in the history of mankind.
They were so irresistible that it took years of negotiations, arranged marriages, and concessions from the Han Dynasty to keep them from conquering.
21. Western Han Dynasty - circa 50 BC
Speaking of the Han dynasties, the Western Han dynasty reached its peak about a century later. Although they never reached the level of development of the Xiongnu empire, they still managed to occupy an area of 6 million km² with over 57 million people, becoming the 17th largest empire in human history. To achieve this, they successfully pushed the Xiongnu north, aggressively expanding south into what is now Vietnam and the Korean peninsula.
The Western Han Dynasty included the major diplomatic achievements of Zhang Qian, who established contacts with states as far west as the Roman Empire and founded the famous trade Silk Road.
20. Eastern Han Dynasty - around 100 AD
During its almost 200 years of existence, the Eastern Han Dynasty has experienced a change of rulers, rebellions, instability and economic crisis. Despite these factors, the Eastern Han dynasty was the 12th largest empire in history. It was larger in area than its pre-Christian counterpart, covering an area of almost 500 km² more - a total of 4.36% of the world.
19. Roman Empire - circa 117 AD
Due to the sheer number of references to the Roman Empire, any average person mistakenly considers it the largest in history.
Indeed, at the height of its heyday in 117 AD. it was the most extensive and social structure in Western civilization, but even then the Romans only occupied a total of 5 million km² of land, making them the 24th largest empire in history.
In this case, the question is not quantity, but quality, since the influence of the Roman Empire affected almost every aspect of Western civilization.
18. Turkic Khaganate - around 557 AD
The Turkic Khaganate consisted of what is currently north-central China. The rulers of the khaganate descended from the Ashina clan, another nomadic tribe of unclear origin from the northern part of Inner Asia.
Like the Xiongnu nearly six centuries earlier, they expanded to rule vast territories in Central Asia, including the lucrative Silk Road trade.
By 557 AD they became the 15th largest empire in history, controlling 4.03% of the entire world (much more than the Roman Empire, which occupied 3.36%).
17. Righteous Caliphate - around 655 AD
The Righteous Caliphate was the first Islamic Caliphate in the earliest period of Islam. It was founded immediately after the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632 AD to manage the affairs of the Islamic community.
Having subjugated or united with various Arab tribes, the caliphate proceeded to conquer, which led to the dominance of Egypt, Syria and the entire Persian Empire. In his best period in 655 AD. The Righteous Caliphate was the 14th largest empire, covering 6.4 million km² of the Middle East.
16. Umayyad Caliphate - around 720 AD
The second of the four major caliphates after Muhammad's death, the Umayyad Caliphate emerged after the first Muslim civil war in 661 CE. In addition to dominating the entire Middle East, the Umayyad Caliphate continued to expand into North Africa and parts of Southern Europe.
With a complex social structure consisting of 29% of the world's population (62 million people) and 7.45% of the world's land area, the Umayyad Caliphate became the 8th largest empire in modern history and the largest empire in the world that only existed until 720 AD
15. Abbasid Caliphate - around 750 AD
30 years after the heyday of the Umayyad Caliphate, as a result of the rebellion and insubordination of the descendants of the youngest uncle Muhammad to the Umayyads, the Abassid Caliphate came to power.
They claimed that their lineage was closer to the Prophet Muhammad, so they were his true heirs. After the successful seizure of power in 750 AD. they began a "golden age" that lasted almost 400 years and included a strong alliance with China.
Although their empire was no larger than the Umayyad Caliphate, it existed for a long period, successfully controlling 11.1 million km², making them the 7th largest empire in human history until its takeover by Genghis Khan in 1206.
14. Tibetan Empire - around 800 AD
The Tibetan empire occupied more than 3% of the territory of the whole world by 800. At the same time, a comparatively gigantic and prosperous Arab empire flourished from the West. On the other hand, the Tang Dynasty, having become a stable and united force that established diplomatic relations with the Arabs, made the Tibetan Empire one of the first in history to be between two strong states.
Thanks to diplomacy and impressive military power, the Tibetan Empire lasted more than 200 years. Ironically, the growing influence of Buddhist teachings eventually provoked a civil war that split the empire.
13. Tang Dynasty - around 820 AD
The Tang Dynasty ushered in what is considered the golden period of multiculturalism in Chinese civilization. Two of China's most famous poets, Li Bai and Du Fu, belonged to this period, and the invention of woodcuts contributed to the development of artistic culture among the growing population of China and throughout Asia.
Less significant than other Chinese dynasties historically, the Tang Dynasty lasted nearly three centuries (AD 618 to 907), occupying 3.6% of the world's total area and ranking as the 20th largest empire in the world. the history of mankind.
12. Mongol Empire - circa 1270
Although many people know about it, few people really understand how huge the empire of Genghis Khan really was. At its best, the Mongol Empire controlled a whopping 24 million km² of territory.
In comparison, this is more than 4 times the size of the Roman Empire and slightly less than 3 times the size of the modern United States, making the Mongol Empire the 2nd largest empire in human history.
11. Golden Horde - around 1310
Genghis Khan was not stupid, and he knew that without his leadership, the empire would hardly be able to maintain its size. Thus, he divided the empire into regions, and gave control of each to each of his sons in order to preserve his legacy.
Due to the sheer size and power of the original empire, even its individual domains were impressively powerful. In the next generation, after the Mongol Empire reached its peak, it became an independent entity.
Even on its own, by 1310 it was the 16th largest empire in history and controlled a still impressive 4.03% of the world (about a quarter of the land of the Mongol Empire).
10. Yuan Dynasty - circa 1310
From northern Chinese territories already previously controlled by the Mongol Empire, Genghis Khan's grandson led his troops to conquer the rest of China and establish the Yuan Dynasty.
By 1310, it had become the largest fragment of the previous Mongol Empire and the 9th largest empire in human history, with 11 million km² of land in its possession. Unfortunately, rebellions in the mid-14th century led to the eventual overthrow of the Yuan in 1368, making the dynasty the shortest-lived in Chinese history.
9. Ming Dynasty (Great Ming Empire) - around 1450
The Ming Dynasty was formed after the fall of the Yuan Dynasty. Unable to expand north due to the presence of powerful Mongols, the Ming Dynasty still occupied a respectable 4.36% of the world's land area and is the 13th largest empire in history.
She is perhaps best known for building China's first navy, which allowed for maritime expeditions and spurred successful regional maritime trade.
8. Ottoman Empire - circa 1683
When Istanbul was Constantinople, it was the capital of the Ottoman Empire (also called the Turkish Empire). Although historically quite small (5.2 million km², making it the 22nd largest empire in existence), it is otherwise successful and long-lived.
Beginning just before 1300, the Ottoman Empire was able to secure its place between the eastern and western worlds for more than six centuries. After the defeat in the First World War, the empire was destroyed, resulting in the emergence of the Turkish Republic in 1922.
7. Qing Dynasty - circa 1790
The Qing Dynasty was the last imperial dynasty in China. This huge empire became the 4th largest empire in the history of mankind and occupied almost 10% of the entire globe, including the territory of Korea and Taiwan, with a population of over 400 million people.
Nearly three centuries passed before local uprisings forced the last emperor to abdicate, and the Republic of China was established in 1912.
6. Spanish Empire - circa 1810
Not wanting to be left behind by the last Chinese dynasty, the Spanish Empire was formed in 1492 and became only the second global empire in world history. With an area of 15.3 million km² of land under its control, it was the 5th largest in history.
Thanks to numerous naval conquests, they controlled a huge percentage of the territories in both North and South America, as well as virtually all the countries of the Caribbean, parts of Africa, Europe, the South Pacific, and even some cities along the coast of the Middle East.
5. Portuguese Colonial Empire - circa 1820
Also known as the Portuguese Overseas Territories, the Portuguese Colonial Empire became the first global empire in history.
However, it never achieved the same massive dominance as the Spanish Empire. With 3.69% of the Earth under its control, it is the 19th largest empire in history.
Nevertheless, it is the longest-lived modern European colonial empire, having existed for six centuries and almost reaching the new millennium (December 20, 1999, the Portuguese Empire officially ceased to exist).
4. Brazilian Empire - circa 1889
Originally part of the Portuguese Empire, the Brazilian Empire declared its independence in 1822. After several years of instability, a period of calm formed in 1843, which allowed the Brazilian Empire to gain stability until conflicts with Great Britain and Uruguay arose.
After successfully resolving these conflicts, the Brazilian Empire began its "golden age" and quickly became known throughout the world as a progressive and modern nation.
By the 1880s, the empire represented most of South America, covering an area of 8.5 million km², making it the 11th largest empire in human history.
3. Russian Empire - circa 1895
The Russian Empire was a powerful state that existed (officially) from 1721 until it was overthrown in 1917 by a revolution. The empire expanded from the beginning, transforming Russia from a primarily agricultural state into a more modern one.
During its heyday in 1895, the population of the Russian Empire grew from 15.5 million to 170 million people, living on an area of almost 23.3 million km². With the addition of the Baltic States, Poland, Finland and more significant Asian territories to its territory, the Russian Empire became the 3rd largest in the history of mankind.
2. Second French colonial empire - circa 1920
Competing with Spain, Portugal, the United Provinces and (later) Britain, the Second French Colonial Empire began in 1830 with the conquest of Algiers. They colonized a large percentage of Africa and took possession of the Middle East, Southeast Asia, New Caledonia and a tiny part of South America.
This made the empire in its heyday the 6th largest in history, as its population was 5% of the total population of the globe, and they lived on 7.7% of the Earth.
1. British Empire - circa 1920
It may or may not shock you, but in the competition to conquer the world, there has never been a more dominant empire than the British. Covering an area of 35.5 million km², the British Empire easily became the largest in the history of mankind (30% larger than the Mongol Empire).
For more than a century, Britain was the world's main superpower and controlled 23% of the world's population. As a result of massive expansion around the world, their cultural and linguistic heritage can be found in almost every advanced culture on Earth.
Most consider the official handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997 as the official end of the British Empire. Although if you look at the world stage, the UK still controls the largest part of the world ... they just do it very smartly and more progressively. Perhaps this is world domination ... just cleverly implemented.
10
- Square: 13 million km 2
- Highest Bloom: 720 - 750
A feudal state that existed from 661 to 750. The ruling dynasty is the Umayyads. The capital was in Damascus. The head of state is the caliph. Spiritual and secular power was concentrated in his hands, which was inherited. The Umayyad Caliphate continued the aggressive policy of the Righteous Caliphate and conquered North Africa, part of the Iberian Peninsula, Central Asia, Sindh, Tabaristan and Jurjan.
9
- Square: 13 million km 2
- Highest Bloom: 557
One of the largest ancient states in the history of mankind in Asia, created by the tribes of the Turks, headed by rulers from the Ashina clan. During the period of greatest expansion (the end of the 6th century), it controlled the territories of China (Manchuria), Mongolia, Altai, East Turkestan, West Turkestan (Central Asia), Kazakhstan and the North Caucasus. In addition, Sasanian Iran, the Chinese states of Northern Zhou, Northern Qi were tributaries of the Kaganate since 576, and from the same year the Turkic Kaganate seized the North Caucasus and Crimea from Byzantium.
8
- Square: 14 million km 2
- Highest Bloom: 1310
Mongolian state, the main part of whose territory was China (1271-1368). Founded by the grandson of Genghis Khan, the Mongol Khan Kublai Khan, who completed the conquest of China in 1279. The dynasty fell as a result of the Red Turban Revolt of 1351-1368.
7
- Square: 14.5 million km2
- Highest Bloom: 1721
The official name of the Russian state in the period from 1547 to 1721. The predecessor of the Russian kingdom was Specific Rus', as well as the Moscow principality. In 1547, Prince Ivan IV (the Terrible) was crowned the first Russian tsar. He dissolved all the destinies and declared himself the only king. The Russian kingdom thus received centralized control and hope for stability in the country.
6
- Square: 14.7 million km2
- Highest Bloom: 1790
It was the last imperial dynasty of China. She ruled the country from 1644 to 1912 with a brief restoration in 1917 (the latter lasted only 11 days). The Qing era was preceded by the Ming dynasty and followed by the Republic of China. The multicultural Qing Empire existed for almost three centuries and formed the territorial base for the modern Chinese state. Qing China reached its greatest extent in the 18th century, when it extended its power over 18 traditional provinces, as well as the territories of modern Northeast China, Inner Mongolia, Outer Mongolia, Xinjiang and Tibet.
5
- Square: 20 million km 2
- Highest Bloom: 1790
The totality of territories and colonies that were under the direct control of Spain in Europe, America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. The Spanish Empire, at the height of its power, was one of the largest empires in world history. Its creation is associated with the beginning of the Age of Discovery, during which it became one of the first colonial empires. The Spanish Empire existed from the 15th century until the end of the 20th century.
4
- Square: 22.4 million km2
- Highest Bloom: 1945 - 1991
A state that existed from 1922 to 1991 on the territory of Eastern Europe, Northern, parts of Central and Eastern Asia. The USSR occupied almost 1/6 of the inhabited land of the Earth; At the time of its collapse, it was the largest country in the world by area. It was formed on the territory that by 1917 was occupied by the Russian Empire without Finland, part of the Polish kingdom and some other territories.
3
- Square: 23.7 million km2
- Highest Bloom: 1866
It was the largest continental monarchy that ever existed. According to the general census of 1897, the population was 129 million people. During the February Revolution of 1917, the monarchy collapses. During the Civil War of 1918-1921, a general collapse of statehood occurs, up to 80 short-lived states are formed on the territory of the former Russian Empire, by 1924 most of this territory is united in the USSR.
2
- Square: 38 million km 2
- Highest Bloom: 1265 - 1361
A state that emerged in the 13th century as a result of the conquests of Genghis Khan and his successors and included the largest contiguous territory in world history from the Danube to the Sea of Japan and from Novgorod to Southeast Asia. In its heyday it included vast territories of Central Asia, Southern Siberia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, China and Tibet. In the second half of the 13th century, the empire began to disintegrate into uluses, headed by Genghisides. The largest fragments of Great Mongolia were the Yuan Empire, the Ulus of Jochi (Golden Horde), the state of the Khulaguids and the Chagatai ulus.
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- Square: 42.75 million km2
- Highest Bloom: 1918
The largest ever existing state in the history of mankind with colonies on all inhabited continents. The total population of the empire was approximately 480 million people. The United Kingdom currently retains sovereignty over 14 territories outside the British Isles. In 2002, they received the status of British Overseas Territories. Some of these areas are uninhabited. The rest are self-governing to varying degrees and depend on the UK for foreign affairs and defence.
The history of mankind is a continuous struggle for territorial domination. Great empires either appeared on the political map of the world or disappeared from it. Some of them were destined to leave an indelible mark.
Persian Empire (Achaemenid Empire, 550 - 330 BC)
Cyrus II is considered to be the founder of the Persian Empire. He began his conquests in 550 BC. e. from the subjugation of Media, after which Armenia, Parthia, Cappadocia and the Lydian kingdom were conquered. Did not become an obstacle to the expansion of the empire of Cyrus and Babylon, whose powerful walls fell in 539 BC. e.
Conquering neighboring territories, the Persians tried not to destroy the conquered cities, but, if possible, to preserve them. Cyrus restored the captured Jerusalem, as well as many Phoenician cities, by facilitating the return of the Jews from the Babylonian captivity.
The Persian Empire under Cyrus stretched its possessions from Central Asia to the Aegean Sea. Only Egypt remained unconquered. The country of the pharaohs submitted to the heir of Cyrus Cambyses II. However, the empire reached its heyday under Darius I, who switched from conquests to domestic politics. In particular, the king divided the empire into 20 satrapies, which completely coincided with the territories of the occupied states.
In 330 B.C. e. the weakening Persian Empire fell under the onslaught of the troops of Alexander the Great.
Roman Empire (27 BC - 476)
Ancient Rome was the first state in which the ruler received the title of emperor. Starting with Octavian Augustus, the 500-year history of the Roman Empire had the most direct impact on European civilization, and also left a cultural mark in the countries of North Africa and the Middle East.
The uniqueness of Ancient Rome is that it was the only state whose possessions included the entire Mediterranean coast.
During the heyday of the Roman Empire, its territories stretched from the British Isles to the Persian Gulf. According to historians, by the year 117 the population of the empire reached 88 million people, which was approximately 25% of the total number of inhabitants of the planet.
Architecture, construction, art, law, economics, military affairs, the principles of the state structure of Ancient Rome - this is what the foundation of the entire European civilization is based on. It was in Imperial Rome that Christianity assumed the status of the state religion and began to spread throughout the world.
Byzantine Empire (395 - 1453)
The Byzantine Empire has no equal in the length of its history. Originating at the end of antiquity, it existed until the end of the European Middle Ages. For more than a thousand years, Byzantium has been a kind of link between the civilizations of the East and the West, influencing both the states of Europe and Asia Minor.
But if the Western European and Middle Eastern countries inherited the richest material culture of Byzantium, then the Old Russian state turned out to be the successor to its spirituality. Constantinople fell, but the Orthodox world found its new capital in Moscow.
Located at the crossroads of trade routes, rich Byzantium was a coveted land for neighboring states. Having reached its maximum borders in the first centuries after the collapse of the Roman Empire, then it was forced to defend its possessions. In 1453, Byzantium could not resist a more powerful enemy - the Ottoman Empire. With the capture of Constantinople, the road to Europe was opened for the Turks.
Arab Caliphate (632-1258)
As a result of the Muslim conquests in the 7th-9th centuries, the theocratic Islamic state of the Arab Caliphate arose on the territory of the entire Middle East region, as well as certain regions of the Transcaucasus, Central Asia, North Africa and Spain. The period of the Caliphate went down in history under the name "Golden Age of Islam", as the time of the highest flowering of Islamic science and culture.
One of the caliphs of the Arab state, Umar I, purposefully secured the character of a militant church for the Caliphate, encouraging religious zeal in his subordinates and forbidding them to own land property in the conquered countries. Umar motivated this by the fact that "the interests of the landowner attract him more to peaceful activities than to war."
In 1036, the invasion of the Seljuk Turks turned out to be disastrous for the Caliphate, but the Mongols completed the defeat of the Islamic state.
Caliph An-Nasir, wishing to expand his possessions, turned to Genghis Khan for help, and without knowing it opened the way for the ruin of the Muslim East to the many thousands of Mongol hordes.
Mongol Empire (1206–1368)
The Mongol Empire is the largest state formation in history in terms of territory.
In the period of its power - by the end of the XIII century, the empire stretched from the Sea of Japan to the banks of the Danube. The total area of possessions of the Mongols reached 38 million square meters. km.
Given the vast size of the empire, managing it from the capital, Karakorum, was almost impossible. It is no coincidence that after the death of Genghis Khan in 1227, the process of gradual division of the conquered territories into separate uluses began, the most significant of which was the Golden Horde.
The economic policy of the Mongols in the occupied lands was primitive: its essence was reduced to the taxation of tribute to the conquered peoples. All collected went to support the needs of a huge army, according to some sources, reaching half a million people. The Mongol cavalry was the most deadly weapon of the Genghisides, which few armies managed to resist.
The inter-dynastic strife ruined the empire - it was they who stopped the expansion of the Mongols to the West. This was soon followed by the loss of the conquered territories and the capture of the Karakorum by the troops of the Ming Dynasty.
Holy Roman Empire (962-1806)
The Holy Roman Empire is an interstate entity that existed in Europe from 962 to 1806. The core of the empire was Germany, which was joined by the Czech Republic, Italy, the Netherlands, and some regions of France during the period of the highest prosperity of the state.
For almost the entire period of the empire's existence, its structure had the character of a theocratic feudal state, in which emperors claimed supreme power in the Christian world. However, the struggle with the papacy and the desire to possess Italy significantly weakened the central power of the empire.
In the 17th century, Austria and Prussia advanced to leading positions in the Holy Roman Empire. But very soon, the antagonism of two influential members of the empire, which resulted in an aggressive policy, threatened the integrity of their common home. The end of the empire in 1806 was put by the growing France, led by Napoleon.
Ottoman Empire (1299–1922)
In 1299, Osman I created a Turkic state in the Middle East, which was destined to exist for more than 600 years and radically influence the fate of the countries of the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions. The fall of Constantinople in 1453 was the date when the Ottoman Empire finally gained a foothold in Europe.
The period of the highest power of the Ottoman Empire falls on the 16th-17th centuries, but the state achieved the greatest conquests under Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.
The borders of the empire of Suleiman I stretched from Eritrea in the south to the Commonwealth in the north, from Algeria in the west to the Caspian Sea in the east.
The period from the end of the 16th century to the beginning of the 20th century was marked by bloody military conflicts between the Ottoman Empire and Russia. Territorial disputes between the two states mainly unfolded around the Crimea and Transcaucasia. The First World War put an end to them, as a result of which the Ottoman Empire, divided between the countries of the Entente, ceased to exist.
British Empire (1497–1949)
The British Empire is the largest colonial power both in terms of territory and population.
The empire reached its greatest extent by the 30s of the 20th century: the land area of the United Kingdom, together with the colonies, totaled 34 million 650 thousand square meters. km., which was approximately 22% of the earth's land. The total population of the empire reached 480 million people - every fourth inhabitant of the Earth was a subject of the British crown.
Many factors contributed to the success of British colonial policy: a strong army and navy, developed industry, and the art of diplomacy. The expansion of the empire had a significant impact on world geopolitics. First of all, this is the spread of British technology, trade, language, and forms of government around the world.
The decolonization of Britain took place after the end of World War II. The country, although it was among the victorious states, was on the verge of bankruptcy. Only thanks to an American loan of 3.5 billion dollars, Great Britain was able to overcome the crisis, but at the same time it lost world domination and all its colonies.
Russian Empire (1721–1917)
The history of the Russian Empire dates back to October 22, 1721, after the adoption by Peter I of the title of Emperor of All Russia. From that time until 1905, the monarch who became the head of the state was endowed with absolute fullness of power.
In terms of area, the Russian Empire was second only to the Mongol and British empires - 21,799,825 square meters. km, and was the second (after the British) in terms of population - about 178 million people.
The constant expansion of the territory is a characteristic feature of the Russian Empire. But if the advance to the east was mostly peaceful, then in the west and south Russia had to prove its territorial claims through numerous wars - with Sweden, the Commonwealth, the Ottoman Empire, Persia, the British Empire.
The growth of the Russian Empire has always been viewed with particular caution by the West. The appearance of the so-called "Testament of Peter the Great" - a document fabricated in 1812 by French political circles - contributed to the negative perception of Russia. “The Russian State must establish power over all of Europe,” is one of the key phrases of the Testament, which will haunt the minds of Europeans for a long time to come.
From the school history course, we know about the emergence of the first states on earth with their peculiar way of life, culture and art. The distant and in many ways mysterious life of the people of past times excited and awakened the imagination. And, probably, for many it would be interesting to see maps of the greatest empires of antiquity, placed side by side. Such a comparison makes it possible to feel the size of the once gigantic state formations and the place they occupy on Earth and in the history of mankind.
The ancient empires were characterized by long-term political stability and well-established communications to the most remote outskirts, without which it is impossible to manage vast territories. All great empires had large armies: the passion for conquest was almost manic. And the rulers of such states sometimes achieved impressive success, subjugating vast lands on which gigantic empires arose. But time passed, and the giant left the stage of history.
First empire
Egypt. 3000-30 BC
This empire lasted three millennia - longer than any other. The state arose more than 3000 BC. e., and when the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt took place (2686-2181), the so-called Old Kingdom was formed. The whole life of the country was connected with the Nile River, with its fertile valley and delta near the Mediterranean Sea. The pharaoh ruled Egypt, governors and officials sat on the ground. Officers, scribes, surveyors and local priests were ranked among the elite of society. The pharaoh was considered a living deity, and he performed all the most important sacrifices himself.
The Egyptians fanatically believed in the afterlife, cultural objects and majestic buildings - pyramids and temples - were dedicated to it. The walls of the burial chambers, covered with hieroglyphs, told more about the life of the ancient state than other archaeological finds.
The history of Egypt is divided into two periods. The first - from its foundation to 332 BC, when Alexander the Great conquered the country. And the second period - the reign of the Ptolemaic dynasty - the descendants of one of the commanders of Alexander the Great. In 30 BC, Egypt was conquered by a younger and more powerful empire - the Roman Empire.
Cradle of Western culture
Greece. 700-146 BC 
The southern part of the Balkan Peninsula was inhabited by people tens of thousands of years ago. But only from the 7th century BC, one can speak of Greece as a large, culturally homogeneous entity, albeit with reservations: the country was an alliance of city-states that united at the time of an external threat, such as to repel Persian aggression.
Culture, religion and, above all, language were the framework within which the history of this country proceeded. In 510 BC, most of the cities were freed from the autocracy of the kings. Athens soon became a democracy, but only male citizens had the right to vote.
The state structure, culture and science of Greece became a model and an inexhaustible source of wisdom for almost all the later states of Europe. Already the Greek scientists were wondering about life and the universe. It was in Greece that the foundations of such sciences as medicine, mathematics, astronomy and philosophy were laid. Greek culture stopped its development when the Romans took over the country. The decisive battle took place in 146 BC near the city of Corinth, when the troops of the Greek Achaean Union were defeated.
Dominion of the "King of Kings" 
Persia. 600-331 BC
In the 7th century BC, the nomadic tribes of the Iranian Highlands revolted against Assyrian rule. The victors founded the state of Media, which later, together with Babylonia and other neighboring countries, turned into a world power. By the end of the 6th century BC, she, led by Cyrus II, and then his successors, who belonged to the Achaemenid dynasty, continued to conquer. In the west, the lands of the empire went to the Aegean Sea, in the east its border passed along the Indus River, in the south, in Africa, the possessions reached the first rapids of the Nile. (Most of Greece was occupied during the Greco-Persian War by the troops of the Persian king Xerxes in 480 BC.)
The monarch was called the "King of Kings", he stood at the head of the army and was the supreme judge. The possessions were divided into 20 satrapies, where the king's viceroy ruled in his name. The subjects spoke four languages: Old Persian, Babylonian, Elamite and Aramaic.
In 331 BC, Alexander the Great defeated the hordes of Darius II, the last of the Achaemenid dynasty. Thus ended the history of this great empire.
Peace and love - for all
India. 322-185 BC 
Traditions devoted to the history of India and its rulers are very fragmentary. Few information refers to the time when the founder of the religious doctrine of Buddha (566-486 BC), the first real person in the history of India, lived.
In the first half of the 1st millennium BC, many small states arose in the northeastern part of India. One of them - Magadha - rose thanks to successful wars of conquest. King Ashoka, who belonged to the Maurya dynasty, expanded his possessions so much that they already occupied almost all of present-day India, Pakistan and part of Afghanistan. The officials of the administration and a strong army obeyed the king. At first, Ashoka was known as a cruel commander, but, becoming a follower of the Buddha, he preached peace, love and tolerance and received the nickname "Converted". This king built hospitals, fought against deforestation, and pursued a soft policy towards his people. His decrees that have come down to us, carved on rocks, columns, are the oldest, accurately dated epigraphic monuments of India, telling about government, social relations, religion and culture.
Even before his rise, Ashoka divided the population into four castes. The first two were privileged - priests and warriors. The invasion of the Bactrian Greeks and internal strife in the country led the empire to collapse.
The beginning of more than two thousand years of history
China. 221-210 BC
During the period called in the history of China Zhanyu, many years of struggle waged by many small kingdoms brought victory to the Qin kingdom. It united the conquered lands and in 221 BC formed the first Chinese empire headed by Qin Shi Huangdi. The emperor carried out reforms that strengthened the young state. The country was divided into districts, military garrisons were established to maintain order and tranquility, a network of roads and canals was being built, the same education was introduced for officials, and a single monetary system operated throughout the kingdom. The monarch approved the order in which people were obliged to work where the interests and needs of the state required it. Even such a curious law was introduced: all wagons must have an equal distance between the wheels so that they move along the same tracks. In the same reign, the Great Wall of China was created: it connected separate sections of defensive structures built earlier by the northern kingdoms.
In 210, Qing Shi Huangdi died. But subsequent dynasties left intact the foundations of empire building laid by its founder. In any case, the last dynasty of emperors of China ceased to exist at the beginning of our century, and the borders of the state remain practically unchanged to this day.
An army that maintains order
Rome. 509 BC - 330 AD 
In 509 BC, the Romans expelled the Etruscan king Tarquinius the Proud from Rome. Rome became a republic. By 264 BC, her troops captured the entire Apennine Peninsula. After that, expansion began in all directions of the world, and by 117 AD, the state stretched its borders from west to east - from the Atlantic Ocean to the Caspian Sea, and from south to north - from the rapids of the Nile and the coast of all of North Africa to the borders with Scotland and along the lower Danube.
For 500 years, Rome was ruled by two annually elected consuls and a senate in charge of state property and finances, foreign policy, military affairs and religion.
In 30 BC, Rome becomes an empire headed by Caesar, and in essence - a monarch. The first Caesar was Augustus. A large and well-trained army participated in the construction of a huge network of roads, their total length is more than 80,000 kilometers. Excellent roads made the army very mobile and made it possible to quickly reach the most remote corners of the empire. The proconsuls appointed by Rome in the provinces - governors and officials loyal to Caesar - also helped to keep the country from disintegration. This was facilitated by the settlements of soldiers who served in the service, located in the conquered lands.
The Roman state, unlike many other giants of the past, fully met the concept of "empire". It also became a model for future contenders for world domination. European countries have inherited a lot from the culture of Rome, as well as the principles of building parliaments and political parties.
The uprisings of peasants, slaves and the urban plebs, the ever-increasing pressure of the Germanic and other barbarian tribes from the north forced Emperor Constantine I to move the capital of the state to the city of Byzantium, later called Constantinople. This happened in 330 AD. After Constantine, the Roman Empire was actually divided into two - Western and Eastern, which were ruled by two emperors.
Christianity - the stronghold of the empire 
Byzantium. 330-1453 AD
Byzantium arose from the eastern remnants of the Roman Empire. The capital was Constantinople, founded by Emperor Constantine I in 324-330 on the site of the colony of Byzantium (hence the name of the state). From that moment began the isolation of Byzantium in the depths of the Roman Empire. An important role in the life of this state was played by the Christian religion, which became the ideological foundation of the empire and the stronghold of Orthodoxy.
Byzantium existed for over a thousand years. It reached its political and military power during the reign of Emperor Justinian I, in the 6th century AD. It was then that, having a strong army, Byzantium conquered the western and southern lands of the former Roman Empire. But within these limits, the empire did not last long. In 1204, Constantinople fell under the blows of the crusaders, which never rose again, and in 1453 the Ottoman Turks captured the capital of Byzantium.
in the name of Allah
Arab Caliphate. 600-1258 AD 
The sermons of the Prophet Muhammad laid the foundation for the religious and political movement in Western Arabia. Called "Islam", it contributed to the creation of a centralized state in Arabia. However, soon as a result of successful conquests, a vast Muslim empire, the Caliphate, was born. The presented map shows the greatest extent of the conquests of the Arabs, who fought under the green banner of Islam. In the East, the Caliphate included the western part of India. The Arab world has left indelible marks in the history of mankind, in literature, mathematics and astronomy.
From the beginning of the 9th century, the Caliphate gradually began to fall apart - the weakness of economic ties, the vastness of the territories subordinated to the Arabs, which had their own culture and traditions, did not contribute to unity. In 1258, the Mongols conquered Baghdad, and the Caliphate broke up into several Arab states.
