What was the Greatest Empire in History?
A key fact: NO EMPIRE LASTS, so they're not foolproof. but which was the best? Alexander the Great's, Persia, the Assyrians, there are countless others!
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"Look at the British Colonial empire — the most magnificent empire that the world ever saw. The old Spanish boast that the sun never set in their dominions, has been more truly realised amongst ourselves." - Sir Henry Ward, 1839 Side: British Empire
Well sure they did it that way, but the Mongolians used technology to their supreme advantage: Their archers could kill of nearly half an army before their horsemen rushed to meet it. They utilized the ability to shoot arrows from horseback and conquered nearly all of Asia, including China, one of the most technologically advanced in the history of the world! NO OFFENSE TO BRITISH EMPIRE, they were amazing too! Side: Mongolia
Mongolians were herders with an affinity for horseback riding and shooting bows. Not very advanced, only advancement was the superb recurve bow. THeir empire lasted for only a short time because they had no means to control their subjects effectively, not the greatest empire although extremely large. Side: Mongolia
In order to achieve his empire, Alexander conquered Persia, which at the time had been the biggest and most powerful empire in the history of the world. Alexander conquered most of the known world, inspired thousands to follow him, and conquered his country's nemesis, the Greeks. Side: Alexander the Great's
well actually your history is a bit off. Alexander was a Greek, and his dad was a Greek general, Alexander united the Greeks states together. and the Greeks and Alexanders real nemesis was Persia. sry, but i had to correct you, but hey, for you to even know that much about him is amazing enough, most of my friends, say "who's that?" when i mention Alex. Side: Rome
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LOL! It depends how you define a great empire... the largest? most powerful? then that would be mongol or british.. the most technologically, economically, socially advanced? indian or chinese and maybe even arabian empires, those who grew causing the least amount of suffering on the way? I think you mean purely in terms of military dominance and that would be mongol empire. Side: Mongolia
Well for most people on this website it won't be an accurate debate - eurocentricism. Military The Indian empire was one that was barely scratched by the Greek and Roman empires. After 1000years of forces attacking its borders it was the Muslims who managed to break through. Size It wasn't really a united empire until 13th century? But in traditional terms it was still large. Thing is it never went out of its way to attempt to conquer the world. Scientifically The most advance country if not the top 2 (with China) Economically Until 16th century India had the largest GDP (although China did overcome India a couple of times) Socially I'm trying to find a quote an Englishman had before they decided to invade India. Morally Need I go on Nobody knows enough about all the empires to actually consider which is the greatest. My answer is definately contraversial but that's only because you don't know anything about it. Side: Rome
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I just saw this post... Getting kicked around by the Romans for a while and then annexed by them does not make Germany an empire. Rome, Greece, Britain yes they fell, but other than WWI and WWII Germany never had a note worthy empire to begin with. The Holey Roman Empire and Scharlemagne's First Riech doesn't really count, after all it is really a rejuvination of the Roman Empire, hence Holey Roman Empire. If someone were to count being simply a country as you have with germany, than you could say the same thing about the empires of Britain, Greece, and Rome. Additionally you cannot simply say that the HOLEY ROMAN EMPIRE was a German empire. Thats like saying kansas is the ruler of the united states and therefore the US should really be called The Kansan Empire because the United states is centered around it. That is a bit of an extreme example but you get the point. Rome is the best! the built bridges 2000 years ago that are still standing today... u buy a 2000 year old sword or something and you will put it away and never mess with it because you don't want to damage it. Today we drive cars and trucks over 2000 year old roman bridges and they have yet to falter. The aqueducts, yes they weren't that large compared to the great wall of china but they actually had a difficult engineering challenge, not just building a crooked wall that fallows the countryside. The Romans actually found a way to keep a constant grade almost perfectly over large distances to deliver them water without letting stagnate. ROME WINS! OH and they also had plumbing with a sewer system... The mongolians did rule the most massive connected empire in history but Atilla the hun had a tiny palace and usually lived in a tent that burned dried poop to keep it warm... literally. Side: Rome
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1. Learn to spell. 2. Learn real history, not the bullshit touted in High School textbooks. 3. See if you still have a debate. Getting kicked around by the Romans for a while and then annexed by them does not make Germany an empire. Actually, the history which I've always read insisted that they kicked the Romans around before finally annexing them, the Romans! The Holey Roman Empire and Scharlemagne's First Riech doesn't really count Why? Because that would negate your argument? after all it is really a rejuvination of the Roman Empire What the hell is that supposed to mean? One might say that all nations are "rejuvinations" of previous ones. hence Holey Roman Empire. "The Holy Roman Empire is neither Holy, nor Roman, nor an Empire." (I assume that the debate creator uses the term Empire broadly enough to include Germannia) That is a bit of an extreme example but you get the point. No, I do not. u buy a 2000 year old sword or something and you will put it away and never mess with it because you don't want to damage it What are you talking about? You do know that one can also acquire German antiques, right? The aqueducts, yes they weren't that large compared to the great wall of china but they actually had a difficult engineering challenge, not just building a crooked wall that fallows the countryside. So they were the greatest engineers? Last I checked, the debate said "What was the Greatest Empire in History?" not "Which Empire had the Greatest Engineers in History?" The mongolians did rule the most massive connected empire in history but Atilla the hun had a tiny palace and usually lived in a tent that burned dried poop to keep it warm... literally. So they were a poor empire because they had a lesser quality of living? Side: Rome
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sorry i guess i did sound like an ass in my first post. when trying to establish the Greatest empire how can you not consider the quality of living of the people? How are awesome engineering feats not important? if you were to Consider Scharlemagn's Empire part of the German empire it made little in the way of major accomplishments on the scale of Rome. yes i know he did some amazing things but still nothing on the scale of Rome. If you count the time where Germany was a tribal land, powerful but still ruled by tribes, as an Empire wouldn't you also need to consider The Britons of ancient England? If so you could count back just as far as ancient Germany. Are high school teachers Really filling people full of Crap? And i do suck at spelling... Holy... oops and the antique thing was an attempt to show that most antiques are considered old and frail or found in ruins, while the buildings and monuments of the old roman empire are still robust enough to handle the stresses of tens of tons of traffic all day. Didnt Scharlemagne's Empire adopt roman ideas and culture? we get lots of stuff from ancient rome... the idea of a republic, a senate, things like that, but thats not important? is it? while i admit that you cant really call the Holy roman Empire roman, can you call it German? and not acknowledge the other peoples? What has the ancient German Empire contributed to modern society compared to rome? Didnt Germany fall harder than the other empires at the end of WWI and II? Britain lost its colonies... Didnt Germany loose a massive war and all of its land? Side: Rome
The Roman Empire if for no other reason than it was the first empire built not through conquest but through goodwill and a devotion to doing the right thing no matter the cost. See Empires of Trust by Thomas F. Madden for more information on this somewhat radical historical theory and for a generally great read. Side: Rome
ehhh. weak argument, Rome was very violent in its conquest of land. bur your right, Rome was the greatest empire ever. it owned almost of all the known world at the time. you say Briton was strong because it owned land in all the world and had great commerce, but Rome turned the Mediterranean sea into a giant roman lake by controlling all the land around the sea. Rome owned almost all of Europe, middle east, and parts of Africa and Asia. Rome had the strongest military and navy of its time, and the best economy. it is believed if Rome had not fallen, we would be at least 100 years more advance in technology, thats like us being able to live on mars type of advancement people theorize. Side: Rome
I don't define greatness by the size of military might, nor by the landmass. The land of the Roman Empire was acquired through alliances and good faith. The Romans were known throughout the world, before the fall of the Republic, for their trustworthiness and reluctance for war. I'm not convinced that the fall of the Roman Empire sparked a "dark age" or that the time of the Empire was some golden age. The Medieval Period wasn't at all the Dark Age that it has so long been characterized as. Not that religious zealism and intolerance didn't limit scientific advancement, but there was significant engineering, technological, and scientific advances that took place during this period. But even with that in mind it's pointless to speculate what would have happened if the Roman Empire in the West hadn't collapsed under its own decadence and apathy. Side: Rome
The Roman Empire was the best! The British Empire was okay, but most of the lands they controlled had little to no means of defending themselves in the first place. Australia - Did the Aborigines resist at all? India - Most of them had probably never seen a gun before. Canada - They beat a few trappers and natives, good job. Get the point? The Romans had to unite Italy, defeat Carthage, conquer Greece, hold of Parthia, and slaughter a whole mess of Barbarians. And the empire lasted 500 years! Side: Rome
umm no your wrong, but i support Rome any way. the Indians invented the word "thug" the Indians in India not America, were rough riders and they have seen a gun. also guess who united India and formed it into one empire almost? the crazy Mongols. India's ancestor were the Mongols, a also rough group. as for Australia, your kinda right, but again Australia was a big prison, so the people there were tough goers. and America, was a blood bath, this time period was considered the 17th century Vietnam. most troops were ill equipped and even relied on Indian weapons and men most of the time to win battles. but yeah rome was better still. Side: Rome
Well, I didn't do a whole lot of research, but I was trying to make a point. The Romans also were more original, coming up with war formations and tactics that could beat the best at the time with the same kind of technology. They also shaped the Mediterranean world in their image with roads and architecture, allowing for other empires to rise in the future. The world was "smaller". Side: Rome
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The British empire was greater in terms of overall size. But the Roman empire lasted a thousand years. It was going strong for 500 years and then took another 500 to decline. Ever since Rome, empires have been lasting a shorter and shorter period of time. Side: British Empire
I think we need to consider the United States of America as a candidate for this title. While not exactly an empire by the traditional definition, it is clear that the US wields power comparable to (or greater than) empires of the past. Before you roll your eyes, consider this: 1) The US navy dominates the worlds oceans in a way that British Empire could only dream of. It is more powerful than all the other navies of the world combined. Other countries do not even attempt to compete with it. 2) The US air force is capable of utterly closing down the airspace over almost any country it chooses. Its nuclear arsenal ensures the total annihilation of any country that would dare threaten the existence of the US through military force. 3) The US ground forces (combined with dominance of the air) are an unstoppable juggernaut in conventional warfare. One needs only review the devastation unleashed on the Iraqi armed forces (the 4th largest in the world at the time) to see what the US military is capable of. 4) The economy of the United States is unparalleled in history. After WWII, the US accounted for 50% of the worlds GDP. Today it stands at 25% not because it has fallen, but rather because other countries have copied many aspects of the American economy and prospered. The US currency is so powerful and respected that other countries peg their own currencies to it and virtually all commodity trade throughout the world is priced in the Dollar. 5) The cultural influence of the United States is immense. Almost anywhere in the world you will find consumer products, fashion, and entertainment that originated in the US. While not a traditional empire of occupation, the United States presides over an economic and cultural empire like the world has never seen. At the same time, it is unassailable militarily while being able project military force anywhere in the world in a way no empire has ever been able to. The only thing the US lacks is longevity. Many of the great empires lasted centuries. While the country is not going anywhere any time soon (it has no real existential threats), it is unclear if it can dominate the world in centuries to come like it has in the most recent one. Side: Rome
OK your right the USA is the current super power but i just have to correct your last bit. North Korea, Iran and China are very likely threats in the future. But Rome was the best empire, although the fact that britain ruled india with less than 1,000 men is impressive Rome is the only empire that was actually ahead of their enemies. All other civilisations had similar technology to their enemies. America has advanced technology but nothing on the scale of how far Rome was ahead of its time. Also the dark ages delayed the expansion of europe for about 1,000 years until the renaissance started Side: Rome
Only reason USA isn't ahead of everybody is that we share with our allies and vice versa, we are ahead of our enemies, example Nuclear capabilities, landing on the moon. Things like airplane car and computer are invented in America and then shared because unlike Rome we have allies and enemies in the world. We share with our allies. Side: Rome
"1) The US navy dominates the worlds oceans in a way that British Empire could only dream of. It is more powerful than all the other navies of the world combined. Other countries do not even attempt to compete with it." Britain had A giant navy but we had to use it up in the world wars which america was supposed to help in. "2) The US air force is capable of utterly closing down the airspace over almost any country it chooses. Its nuclear arsenal ensures the total annihilation of any country that would dare threaten the existence of the US through military force." The only difference here is that this is the modern day and the British empire was a hundred years ago. "3) The US ground forces (combined with dominance of the air) are an unstoppable juggernaut in conventional warfare. One needs only review the devastation unleashed on the Iraqi armed forces (the 4th largest in the world at the time) to see what the US military is capable of." so was the British Empire at its time "4) The economy of the United States is unparalleled in history. After WWII, the US accounted for 50% of the worlds GDP. Today it stands at 25% not because it has fallen, but rather because other countries have copied many aspects of the American economy and prospered. The US currency is so powerful and respected that other countries peg their own currencies to it and virtually all commodity trade throughout the world is priced in the Dollar." cant disagree with you there "5) The cultural influence of the United States is immense. Almost anywhere in the world you will find consumer products, fashion, and entertainment that originated in the US. While not a traditional empire of occupation, the United States presides over an economic and cultural empire like the world has never seen. At the same time, it is unassailable militarily while being able project military force anywhere in the world in a way no empire has ever been able to." the "americanisation" of the world crapped it up, at least when the British empire spread its culture people were taught to be polite and fit in with the system etc., whereas the American way is to rebel and to be rude etc. "The only thing the US lacks is longevity. Many of the great empires lasted centuries. While the country is not going anywhere any time soon (it has no real existential threats), it is unclear if it can dominate the world in centuries to come like it has in the most recent one." the apparent U.S "empire" can't come close to the amount of land the British Empire, seeing as how the U.S used to be one of the British colonies Side: British Empire
The US is a massive country third largest in the world and by the way America did help in world wars. We supplied them with ships weaponry everything they couldn't make enough of. And money. We then sent troops and basically everytime the US jumped in the war ended soon after. Side: British Empire
I think we need to consider the United States of America as a candidate for this title. While not exactly an empire by the traditional definition, it is clear that the US wields power comparable to (or greater than) empires of the past. Before you roll your eyes, consider this: 1) The US navy dominates the worlds oceans in a way that British Empire could only dream of. It is more powerful than all the other navies of the world combined. Other countries do not even attempt to compete with it. A) Totally wrong, Britain dominated the seas for over 200 years, it was the foundation for their military might Britain had the largest military force the world has ever seen) 2) The US air force is capable of utterly closing down the airspace over almost any country it chooses. Its nuclear arsenal ensures the total annihilation of any country that would dare threaten the existence of the US through military force. A) With regards to nuclear annihilation, this is a moot point as it is a zero sum game (Britain also has a significant nuclear arsenal and as such if it really came down to it could devastate the US) 3) The US ground forces (combined with dominance of the air) are an unstoppable juggernaut in conventional warfare. One needs only review the devastation unleashed on the Iraqi armed forces (the 4th largest in the world at the time) to see what the US military is capable of. A) The US to my recollection have never won a war unaided (Iraq was an allied operation) Vietnam was a disaster and the so called war of independence was a skirmish in military terms 4) The economy of the United States is unparalleled in history. After WWII, the US accounted for 50% of the worlds GDP. Today it stands at 25% not because it has fallen, but rather because other countries have copied many aspects of the American economy and prospered. The US currency is so powerful and respected that other countries peg their own currencies to it and virtually all commodity trade throughout the world is priced in the Dollar. A) The US is a declining economic power after only 70 or 80 years at the forefront China will be the next true economic superpower 5) The cultural influence of the United States is immense. Almost anywhere in the world you will find consumer products, fashion, and entertainment that originated in the US. While not a traditional empire of occupation, the United States presides over an economic and cultural empire like the world has never seen. At the same time, it is unassailable militarily while being able project military force anywhere in the world in a way no empire has ever been able to. The only thing the US lacks is longevity. Many of the great empires lasted centuries. While the country is not going anywhere any time soon (it has no real existential threats), it is unclear if it can dominate the world in centuries to come like it has in the most recent one. A) Amazing take on US importance and influence of the US in world history... For clarity I will help you out on how the US has copied Britain - The US speaks English - Your democracy and political structure is based on the British model - Your banking structure is based on the British/European model - Your founding fathers were largely of British origin Side: Rome
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Also to show you how dumb you are, Axmeister, The US didn't spawn from Britain, it evolved from it giving us the constitution, and it evolved because the British never lowered taxes, and other political and economic disputes took place. The US being not even the US at the time was colony's set up by independent settlers, then controlled by the British or funded, so when people finally had enough getting pushed around by the British tax laws and trade restrictions... The sleeping freedom country, US, rose up in revolt, (also Britain try'd to get revenge and failed many times over later becoming the strongest government till this day. Oh and we saved Britain in WW2, and also the queen can suck it! :O Side: Rome
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i support rome because they had the largest social impact out of any single empire without dispute, they controled more than a fith of the worlds population (the mongols may have too, not sure) their tactics were never outdated until gunpower came into warfare, they had some incredible leaders, and under the ceasar dynasty they had one of the largest econimies ever seen, all on top of how they started as a city state, not an allience between 2 already powerful states cough brttian cough Side: Rome
Roman tactics became outdated when heavy cavalry came into existence. Take a look at the battle of Adrianople, Gothic cavalry destroyed Romans and killed Emperor Valens beginning a massive downward spiral for Rome. They should have developed their own German mercenary independent heavy cavalry.Although Roman tactics were superb. Romans won nearly every battle for hundreds of years because their tactics were unmatched in infantry on infantry battles. USA and Britain were not allies, we fought multiple wars until we finally became friends in following the Civil War. Side: Rome
"USA and Britain were not allies, we fought multiple wars until we finally became friends in following the Civil War." What are you talking about we have been allies for ages the only war where you were actually brave enough to fight us was your own revolution. Side: British Empire
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U.S. is really powerful True, but we are not an empire. think about china and japan They are not empires any more. Huge economy, fair army, MASSIVE influence and pretty well rounded. All three of the countries you mentioned has those qualities. Although the US tops China and Japan. The US has $14 trillion GDP, the best equipped, well trained, technologically advanced military in the world, and huge foreign influence. China has rapid growth, but soon they are going to need to catch up with their growth rate and then they will level out. China has a huge military but is incapable of fighting a prolonged conflict in a foreign theater. Japan has been in an economic slump for the past decade. Side: USA
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Military, Economic powerhouse, founded London, Paris and many other cities, therefore it may be possible to say British Empire comes from Rome. Exerted cultural and other influences on huge chunks of the world. Example Roman Legal Code formed the basis for most Western codes. Laws should rule people not a ruler. Out of the Romans also came the Byzantines. Superior to other empires through many means. If not territory then influence. Even the US has been massively influenced by Rome. Our capital's design is based on the design of the Roman forum. Our laws also based on Romans through the British. Other powerful empires like China and India were only kept safe because of factors like distance and disease. Side: Rome
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The largest land empire of all time would be the Mongolian Empire, however the most culturally, socially, politically and scientifically influential empire would have to be, hands down, the Roman Empire. The influence of the Roman Empire is very deep in nearly every western nation on Earth, and many other nations modeled themselves after the Roman Empire. Many capital buildings, universities and judicial buildings use roman architecture. Science uses Latin, the language of the Romans. The Russian word for leader, Czar or Tsar, comes from 'Caesar'. Our calendar is based on a Roman system. The existence of a U.S. senate is modeled after the Roman Senate, and we have two leaders (President and Vice-president) because of the Romans. Side: Mesopotamia
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So the Factors that make an Empire Great are: -Strong Influence on the Modern World -Strong Domination over International Relation Relations -Strong Military -Strong Economic Power -Strong Industrial or Agricultural Power -Strongest trade System -Size -Life Span -Percentage of World Population -Population of the Empire So the Greatest Empire in these factors are: -Strongest Influence on the Modern World: Britain or Rome more likely Britain as Rome's technology was abandoned from 300-1000 years after their empire was invaded by Attila the Hun. -Strongest Domination over International Relations: Britain -Strongest Military: Rome or Britain – Both large, successful, powerful, well trained and well organised except the difference being the Romans focused on Land Power and the British focused on Naval Power. But unlike Britain the Romans were conquered by their enemies. So in conclusion their I would say Britain. -Strongest Economic Power: Britain -Strongest Industrial or Agricultural Power: Britain - Dominated 40% of Total World GDP -Strongest Trade System: Britain followed by the Mongols. -Size: Britain - Owned 25% of World Land Mass (33.7 million square Kilometres) and also her navy owned all the world’s oceans so that taken into account and the fact Britain dominated most of the world economy; Britain ruled the world. -Life Span: Romans or Egyptians with about 600-1000 years. (Fact: Britain's empire lasted longer than the Mongols) -Percentage of World Population: Persian Empire with 45-50% of the World Population -Largest Population within an Empire: Britain with 428 million people (25% of the World Population) Out of the 10 categories that would define the Greatest Empire, Britain dominated 8 of so in my conclusion Britain was the Greatest Empire the world has ever seen. Side: Mesopotamia
On the argument of empires, The Macedonian was by far the greatest in terms of unity, fast growth, cultural mix, and expansion. took only 15 years to create all this, and it the greatest because... before this there was no organized army, freedom, and divinity over an empire this large, (that we know of) and changed the world forever, almost all generals from the Romans to Napoleon, and all the way to Desert storms: Norman Swartzkopf, based themselves off, Alexander The Greats strategy and values. To me making him, and his empire the Greatest to ever exist. Its where he gets the name Alexander The Great, everything he did and was associated with was "Great". Side: Mesopotamia
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom, that had originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. 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 at the time, and covered more than 13,000,000 square miles (33,670,000 km2): approximately a quarter of the Earth’s total land area. As a result, its political, linguistic and cultural legacy is widespread. At the peak of its power, it was often 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. It was the largest empire by landmass covering 33.7 million km2 (1922) It was the largest empire by population. It had the second largest GDP size of $683.3 billion (in 1938) after the US in 1945 It had the largest percent of world GDP 35.9% ($399 billion out of $1,111 billion in 1870) It had the largest military of all times. During the rule, people were quite unsatisfactory with the government and many disputes arose therefore the empire was soon brought done like house of cards as soon as it emerged, therefore although being largest, it is on second number. Side: Mesopotamia
Since the British empire at various times encompassed the whole of North America, parts of South America, , India, Australia, half of Africa and parts of Asia it is impossible to imagine an empire that could be greater in terms of its population and the economic power of its constituent parts. Culturally, the English language is the world language and football the world game. Side: Mesopotamia
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I think hands down Alexander the great who didn't seek blood and lust or wealth only to complete the dream of his farther he was a true warrior not just fight wise but the way he thinks he pushed a small country with nothing but a vision into the limelight pushing to boundary's of the known world and wasn't finished with world conquest his top advisor's and soldiers(supposed friends) refused to push forward due to their exhaustion but his methods created a empire which personally has benefited mankind the most at least from a pre modern era he lead from the front and by example and numerous story's of his heart generosity and the true warrior ism of his self he followed the warriors ethos Alexander the great all the way Side: Mesopotamia
OK, I could've explained better. Japan and China have good commerce and lots of people, but they lack a little gusto. China is huge, and they both have a lot of influence over all the important alliances and countries: U.S.A, EU, Russia, and others.If china and japan reform they will serve a significant threat in the future. Side: Other guys
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