The most powerful empire in history. The "longest" states and empires in history

Incredible facts

Throughout human history, we have seen empires rise and fall into oblivion over decades, centuries, and even millennia. If it is true that history repeats itself, then perhaps we can learn from the mistakes and better understand the achievements of the world's most powerful and longest-lived empires.

Empire is a difficult word to define. Although this term is thrown around very often, it is nevertheless often used in the wrong context and misrepresents the political location of the country. The simplest definition describes a political unit that exercises control over another political body. Basically, these are countries or groups of people who control the political decisions of a smaller unit.

The term "hegemony" is often used along with empire, but there are significant differences between the two, just as there are obvious differences between the concepts of "leader" and "bully". Hegemony operates as an agreed upon set of international rules, while empire produces and implements those same rules. Hegemony represents the dominant influence of one group over other groups, however, it requires the consent of the majority in order for that leading group to remain in power.

Which empires in history lasted the longest, and what can we learn from them? Below we look at these past kingdoms, how they formed, and the factors that ultimately led to their downfall.

10. Portuguese Empire

The Portuguese Empire is remembered for having one of the strongest navies the world has ever seen. A lesser-known fact is that it did not “disappear” from the face of the earth until 1999. The kingdom lasted for 584 years. It was the first global empire in history, spanning four continents, and began in 1415 when the Portuguese captured the Muslim North African city of Cueta. Expansion continued as they moved into Africa, India, Asia and the Americas.

After World War II, decolonization efforts intensified in many areas, causing many European countries to "embark" from their colonies around the world. This did not happen to Portugal until 1999, when it finally gave up Macau in China, signaling the "end" of the empire.

The Portuguese Empire was able to expand so much because of its superior weapons, naval superiority, and ability to quickly build ports to trade sugar, slaves, and gold. She also had enough strength to conquer new peoples and gain lands. But, as is the case with most empires throughout history, the conquered areas eventually sought to reclaim their lands back.

The Portuguese Empire collapsed for several reasons, including international pressure and economic tension.

9. Ottoman Empire

At the height of its power, the Ottoman Empire spanned three continents, encompassing a wide range of cultures, religions and languages. Despite these differences, the empire was able to flourish for 623 years, from 1299 to 1922.

The Ottoman Empire got its start as a small Turkish state after the weakened Byzantine Empire left the region. Osman I pushed the boundaries of his empire outward, relying on strong judicial, educational, and military systems, as well as a unique method of transferring power. The empire continued to expand and eventually conquered Constantinople in 1453 and spread its influence deep into Europe and North Africa. The civil wars of the early 1900s that immediately followed World War I, as well as the Arab Revolt, signaled the beginning of the end. At the end of World War I, the Treaty of Sèvres divided much of the Ottoman Empire. The final point was the Turkish War of Independence, as a result of which Constantinople fell in 1922.

Inflation, competition and unemployment are cited as key factors in the demise of the Ottoman Empire. Each part of this massive empire was culturally and economically diverse, and their inhabitants ultimately wanted to break free.

8. Khmer Empire

Little is known about the Khmer Empire, however, its capital city of Angkor was said to be very impressive, thanks in large part to Angkor Wat, one of the world's largest religious monuments, built at the zenith of its power. The Khmer Empire began in 802 AD when Jayavarman II was proclaimed king of the region that is now Cambodia. 630 years later, in 1432, the empire came to an end.

Some of what we know about this empire comes from stone murals found in the region, and some information comes from Chinese diplomat Zhou Daguan, who traveled to Angkor in 1296 and published a book about his experiences. Almost the entire existence of the empire, it tried to capture more and more new territories. Angkor was the main home of the nobility during the second period of the empire. When the power of the Khmers began to weaken, neighboring civilizations began to fight for control of Angkor.

There are many theories as to why the empire collapsed. Some believe that the king converted to Buddhism, which led to the loss of workers, degeneration of the water system, and ultimately very poor harvests. Others claim that the Thai kingdom of Sukhothai conquered Angkor in the 1400s. Another theory suggests that the last straw was the transfer of power to the city of Oudong, while Angkor remained abandoned.

7. Ethiopian Empire

Considering the duration of the Ethiopian Empire, we know surprisingly little about it. Ethiopia and Liberia were the only African countries that managed to resist the European “Scramble for Africa”. The long existence of the empire began in 1270, when the Solomonid dynasty overthrew the Zagwe dynasty, declaring that they owned the rights to this land, as King Solomon bequeathed. From then on, the dynasty subsequently grew into an empire by uniting new civilizations under its rule.

All this continued until 1895, when Italy declared war on the empire, and that’s when the problems began. In 1935, Benito Mussolini ordered his soldiers to invade Ethiopia and the war raged there for seven months, leading to Italy being declared the winner of the war. From 1936 to 1941, Italians ruled the country.

The Ethiopian Empire did not greatly expand its borders or exhaust its resources, as we saw in previous examples. Rather, Ethiopia's resources have become more powerful, in particular, we are talking about huge coffee plantations. Civil wars contributed to the weakening of the empire, however, at the head of everything, it was still Italy's desire to expand, which led to the fall of Ethiopia.

6. Kanem Empire

We know very little about the Kanem Empire and how its people lived, most of our knowledge comes from a text document discovered in 1851 called Girgam. Over time, Islam became their main religion, however, as expected, the introduction of religion could cause internal strife in the early years of the empire. The Kanem Empire was created around 700 and lasted until 1376. It was located in what is now Chad, Libya and part of Nigeria.

According to a document found, the Zaghawa people founded their capital in 700 in the city of N'jimi. The history of the empire is divided between two dynasties - Duguwa and Sayfawa (which was the driving force that brought Islam). Its expansion continues. and during the period when the king declared a holy war, or jihad, on all the surrounding tribes.

The military system designed to facilitate jihad was based on the state principles of hereditary nobility, in which soldiers received part of the lands they conquered, while the lands remained in their possession for many years, even their sons could dispose of them. This system led to a civil war that weakened the empire and left it vulnerable to attack by external enemies. The Bulala invaders were able to quickly seize control of the capital and eventually take control of the empire in 1376.

The lesson of the Kanem Empire shows how poor decisions create internal conflict that leaves once powerful people defenseless. Similar developments are repeated throughout history.

5. Holy Roman Empire

The Holy Roman Empire was seen as a revival of the Western Roman Empire, and it was also considered a political counterweight to the Roman Catholic Church. Its name, however, comes from the fact that the emperor was chosen by voters, but he was crowned by the pope in Rome. The empire lasted from 962 to 1806 and occupied a fairly vast territory, which is now Central Europe, primarily including most of Germany.

The Empire began when Otto I was proclaimed King of Germany, however, he later became known as the first Holy Roman Emperor. The Empire consisted of 300 different territories, however, after the Thirty Years' War in 1648, it was fragmented, thereby planting the seeds of independence.

In 1792, there was an uprising in France. By 1806, Napoleon Bonaparte forced the last Holy Roman Emperor, Francis II, to abdicate, after which the empire was renamed the Confederation of the Rhine. Like the Ottoman and Portuguese Empires, the Holy Roman Empire was made up of various ethnic groups and smaller kingdoms. Ultimately, the desire of these kingdoms to gain independence led to the collapse of the empire.

4. Silla Empire

Little is known about the beginnings of the Silla Empire, but by the sixth century it was a highly complex society based on descent, in which lineage decided everything from the clothes a person could wear to the work activities he was allowed to do. . Although this system helped the empire initially acquire large amounts of land, it ultimately led to its demise.

The Silla Empire began in 57 BC. and occupied territory that currently belongs to North and South Korea. Kin Park Hyeokgeose was the first ruler of the empire. During his reign, the empire continually expanded, conquering more and more kingdoms on the Korean Peninsula. Eventually, a monarchy was formed. The Chinese Tang Dynasty and the Silla Empire were at war in the seventh century, however, the dynasty was defeated.

A century of civil war among high-ranking families, as well as among the defeated kingdoms, left the empire doomed. Eventually, in 935 AD, the empire ceased to exist and became part of the new state of Goryeo, with which it fought a war in the 7th century. Historians do not know the exact circumstances that led to the demise of the Silla Empire, however, the general view is that neighboring countries were unhappy with the continued expansion of the empire through the Korean Peninsula. Numerous theories agree that smaller kingdoms struck to gain sovereignty.

3. Venetian Republic

The pride of the Venetian Republic was its massive navy, which allowed it to quickly prove its power throughout Europe and the Mediterranean by conquering such important historical cities as Cyprus and Crete. The Republic of Venice lasted an amazing 1,100 years, from 697 to 1797. It all started when the Western Roman Empire fought Italy, and when the Venetians declared Paolo Lucio Anafesto their duke. The empire went through several significant changes, however, it gradually expanded and became what is now known as the Republic of Venice, feuding with the Turks and the Ottoman Empire, among others.

A large number of wars significantly weakened the defensive forces of the empire. The city of Piedmont soon submitted to France, and Napoleon Bonaparte captured part of the empire. When Napoleon issued an ultimatum, Doge Ludovico Manin surrendered in 1797, and Napoleon began to rule Venice.

The Republic of Venice is a classic example of how an empire that extends over vast distances is unable to defend its capital. Unlike other empires, it was not civil wars that killed it, but wars with its neighbors. The highly prized Venetian navy, which was once invincible, was spread too far and was unable to defend its own empire.

2. Empire of Kush

The Kush Empire lasted from approximately 1070 BC. to 350 AD and occupied territory that currently belongs to the Republic of Sudan. Throughout its long history, very little information has survived about the political structure of the region, however, there is evidence of monarchies in the last years of its existence. However, the Kush Empire ruled over several smaller countries in the region and managed to retain power. The empire's economy was heavily dependent on the trade in iron and gold.

Some evidence suggests that the empire was attacked by desert tribes, while others believe that over-reliance on iron led to deforestation, forcing the people to disperse.

Other empires fell because they exploited their own people or neighboring countries, however, the deforestation theory believes that the Kush Empire fell because it destroyed its own lands. Both the rise and fall of the empire turned out to be fatally connected with the same industry.

1. Eastern Roman Empire

The Roman Empire is not only one of the most famous in history, it is also the longest lasting empire. It went through several eras, but, in fact, lasted since 27 BC. to 1453 AD – a total of 1480 years. The republics that preceded it were destroyed by civil wars, and Julius Caesar became dictator. The empire expanded into modern-day Italy and much of the Mediterranean region. The empire had great power, but Emperor Diocletian in the third century "introduced" a key factor to ensure the long-term success and prosperity of the empire. He determined that two emperors could rule, thereby easing the stress of taking over large amounts of territory. Thus, the foundations were laid for the possibility of the existence of the Eastern and Western Roman Empires.

The Western Roman Empire dissolved in 476 when German troops rebelled and overthrew Romulus Augustus from the imperial throne. The Eastern Roman Empire continued to flourish after 476, becoming better known as the Byzantine Empire.

Class conflicts led to the civil war of 1341-1347, which not only reduced the number of small states that comprised the Byzantine Empire, but also allowed the short-lived Serbian Empire to rule for a short period of time in some areas of the Byzantine Empire. Social upheaval and plague contributed to the further weakening of the kingdom. Combined with growing unrest in the empire, plague and social unrest, it eventually fell when the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople in 1453.

Despite the strategy of co-emperor Diocletian, which undoubtedly greatly increased the "lifespan" of the Roman Empire, it suffered the same fate as other empires whose massive expansion eventually provoked various ethnic peoples to fight for sovereignty.

These empires lasted the longest in history, but each had its own weak points, be it the use of land or people, none of the empires was able to contain social unrest caused by class divisions, unemployment or lack of resources.

Over the past 3 thousand years, the Old World has seen the rise and fall of powerful empires, and their history and past glory could not but influence the culture of the countries and peoples that today occupy the spaces where they dominated. The ruins of large cities, majestic palaces and temples, remaining after the collapse of great civilizations - Persia and the Mediterranean - eloquently testify to the wealth, splendor and power of great empires. Remains of fortresses and roads, palaces and canals, codes of laws carved on rocks and written down on paper, and praises of triumphants tell how they achieved military power, with the help of which they subjugated more and more new territories and maintained control and administration over vast colonies. Ancient empires are significantly different from each other in terms of their existence, differ in size and cultural traditions, but they all have some common features.

What is an empire

Which ancient states can be called empires? Of course, not only the title of the ruler and the official, declared name of the country can serve as the basis for such a division. But still, let’s try to look deeper into the essence of things and understand how they differ from other states. And it doesn’t matter who is in power: the emperor, the senate, the national assembly or a religious figure. The main thing that distinguishes the empire is its supranational character. A republic, despotism, or kingdom become an empire only when they go beyond the state formation of any one people or tribe and unite many cultures and peoples at different stages of development.

Map of the Old World in the 1st century. BC.

It is no coincidence that their era began in the countries of the Old World at approximately the same time, and it is no coincidence that this time is usually called the era of axial civilizations.

It begins at the turn of the 2nd and 1st millennia BC. e. and covers the period before the start of the Great Migration, which put an end to the greatest of. Of course, this provision is quite conditional. The first empires arose earlier than this designated period of time, and some of them survived its end.

It is enough to give just two examples. Egypt of the era of the New Kingdom, i.e. the second half of the 2nd millennium BC. e., can rightfully open a long list of the greatest empires of antiquity. It was during this period that the country of the pharaohs stepped over the boundaries of its national civilization. During this era, Nubia, the legendary “country of Punt” in the south, the flourishing cities and palaces of the Levant were conquered, and the nomadic tribes of the Libyan Desert were conquered and pacified. All these areas were not only forced to recognize, but were included in the economic system, the administrative structure of the country of the pharaohs, and experienced cultural influences from it. Later rulers of Nubia and even Ethiopia traced their ancestry back to the godlike rulers of the Nile.

The Byzantine Empire, the direct successor of ancient Rome, continued officially, and the people were called Romans, i.e. Romans, retained the attributes of empire and multinational character until its death in the middle of the 15th century. And the Ottoman Empire that took its place, with all its dissimilarity from Rome and Byzantium, inherited and preserved many of their traditions and, first of all, remained faithful to the imperial idea for many centuries.

But still, we will dwell on the era when they were just emerging, gaining strength and were at the zenith of their strength.

During this period, i.e. in the 1st millennium BC. e., powerful empires stretched in a wide strip along the geographic latitude from the Strait of Gibraltar in the west to the shores of the Yellow Sea in the east. The strip along which the power of empires spread was limited from the north and south by natural barriers: deserts, forests, seas and mountains.

But not only these barriers caused their formation along this axis. This is where the Old World is: Cretan-Mycenaean, Egyptian, Sumerian, Indus, Chinese. They set the stage for future empires: they created urban networks, built the first roads, and created the first sea routes that linked cities together. created and improved writing, the administrative apparatus, and the army. They discovered new ways of accumulating wealth and improved old ones. It was in this zone that all the achievements of mankind were concentrated, necessary for the emergence of a full-fledged state, their successful growth and development.

In this series of predecessors and heirs stands the Phoenician colonies of the Mediterranean, on the foundation of which arose the Roman Empire, the powers of the Assyrians, Babylonians, Medes and Persians of the Middle East, the Buddhist empires of the Indo-Aryans of the Ganges Valley and the Kushans, and the empires of China.

The New World later, but also went this way from the “classical” urban civilizations of Teotihuacan to the Aztec empire and from the ancient prosperous cultures of the Andean highlands.

Having rallied many tribes and peoples around themselves, they not only successfully applied all the achievements of past centuries, but also created many new things, which distinguishes them from earlier civilizations. Of course, the great empires of antiquity were very different from each other in terms of traditions, forms of expression of their imperial spirit, and destinies. But there is also something that allows you to put them side by side. It was this “something” that gave us the right to call them all in one word - empires. What is this?

Firstly, as already said, all empires- These are supranational entities. And for the effective management of vast spaces with different cultural traditions, religions and ways of life, appropriate institutions and means are needed. With all the variety of approaches to solving the problem of management, they were all based on the same principles: a rigid hierarchy, the inviolability of central authority and, of course, uninterrupted communication between the center and the periphery.

Secondly, it must effectively defend its extensive borders from external enemies, and moreover, in order to confirm its exclusive right to rule many peoples, it must constantly grow. That is why in all empires war and military affairs received exceptional development and occupied a significant place in everyday life and ideology. As it turned out, militarization also became a weak point of almost all empires: changes of rulers, rebellions and the fall of provinces rarely took place without the participation of the military, both in Rome, in the extreme west of the civilized world of the Old World, and in China, in its extreme east.

And thirdly, neither effective governance nor military power are capable of ensuring the stability of any empire without ideological support. It could be a new religion, a real or legendary historical tradition, or, finally, a certain unification of culture, allowing one to contrast oneself, one’s belonging to a civilized empire, with the surrounding barbarians. But the latter soon became the same.

Map of the Roman Empire

From the school history course we know about the emergence of the first states on earth with their unique way of life, culture and art. The distant and largely mysterious life of people of past times excited and awakened 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 occupied on Earth and in the history of mankind.

Ancient empires were characterized by long-term political stability and well-established communications to the most remote outskirts, without which it was 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 successes, subjugating vast lands on which giant empires arose. But time passed, and the giant left the historical stage.

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 entire life of the country was connected with the Nile River, with its fertile valley and delta near the Mediterranean Sea. Egypt was ruled by a pharaoh; governors and officials sat in the seats. The elite of society included officers, scribes, surveyors and local priests. The pharaoh was considered a living deity, and 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 falls into two periods. The first is from its foundation until 332 BC, when the country was conquered by Alexander the Great. And the second period is the reign of the Ptolemaic dynasty - the descendants of one of the generals 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


People settled the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula tens of thousands of years ago. But only from the 7th century BC can we talk about Greece as a large, culturally homogeneous entity, although with reservations: the country was a union of city-states that united during times of external threat, such as, for example, to repel Persian aggression.

Culture, religion and, above all, language were the framework within which the history of this country took place. In 510 BC, most cities were freed from the autocracy of the kings. Athens was soon ruled by democracy, but only male citizens had the right to vote.

The polity, culture and science of Greece became a model and an inexhaustible source of wisdom for almost all later European states. Already Greek scientists wondered 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 ceased to develop when the Romans conquered the country. The decisive battle took place in 146 BC near the city of Corinth, when the troops of the Greek Achaean League were defeated.

The Dominion of the "King of Kings"


Persia. 600-331 BC

In the 7th century BC, the nomadic tribes of the Iranian Highlands rebelled against Assyrian rule. The winners founded the state of Media, which later, together with Babylonia and other neighboring countries, became a world power. By the end of the 6th century BC, it, led by Cyrus II and then his successors belonging to the Achaemenid dynasty, continued its conquests. In the west, the lands of the empire faced the Aegean Sea, in the east its border ran along the Indus River, in the south, in Africa, its 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 domains 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 everyone

India. 322-185 BC

The legends dedicated to the history of India and its rulers are very fragmentary. Little information dates back to the time when the founder of the religious teaching, 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 to prominence thanks to successful wars of conquest. King Ashoka, who belonged to the Maurya dynasty, expanded his possessions so much that they occupied almost all of present-day India, Pakistan and part of Afghanistan. Administrative officials 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 “The Convert.” This king built hospitals, fought deforestation, and pursued a soft policy towards his people. His decrees that have reached us, carved on rocks and 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 to the collapse of the empire.

The beginning of more than two thousand years of history

China. 221-210 BC

During the period called Zhanyu in the history of China, many years of struggle waged by many small kingdoms brought victory to the kingdom of Qin. It united the conquered lands and in 221 BC formed the first Chinese empire led by Qin Shi Huang. 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 built, equal education was introduced for officials, and a single monetary system operated throughout the kingdom. The monarch established an 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 carts must have an equal distance between the wheels so that they move along the same tracks. During 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 Huang died. But subsequent dynasties left intact the foundations for building an empire laid by its founder. In any case, the last dynasty of Chinese emperors ceased to exist at the beginning of this 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 Tarquin the Proud from Rome. Rome became a republic. By 264 BC, her troops captured the entire Apennine Peninsula. After this, 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 reaches of the Danube.

For 500 years, Rome was governed by two annually elected consuls and a senate, which was in charge of state property and finances, foreign policy, military affairs and religion.

In 30 BC, Rome became an empire led by Caesar, and essentially 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 being more than 80,000 kilometers. Excellent roads made the army very mobile and allowed it 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 keep the country from collapse. This was facilitated by the settlements of soldiers who had served in the conquered lands.

The Roman state, unlike many other giants of the past, fully corresponded to the concept of “empire”. It also became a model for future contenders for world domination. European countries inherited a lot from the culture of Rome, as well as the principles of building parliaments and political parties.

Uprisings of peasants, slaves and urban plebs, and the increasing pressure of 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, ruled by two emperors.

Christianity is the stronghold of the empire


Byzantium. 330-1453 AD

Byzantium arose from the eastern remnants of the Roman Empire. The capital became Constantinople, founded by Emperor Constantine I in 324-330 on the site of the Byzantine colony (hence the name of the state). From that moment on, the isolation of Byzantium in the bowels of the Roman Empire began. The Christian religion played a major role in the life of this state, becoming the ideological foundation of the empire and the stronghold of Orthodoxy.

Byzantium existed for more than 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 to the attacks of the crusaders, which never rose again, and in 1453 the capital of Byzantium was captured by the Ottoman Turks.

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 was born - the Caliphate. The presented map shows the greatest scope 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 on human history, 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 subjugated by 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.

The history of mankind is a continuous struggle for territorial dominance. 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 behind them.

Persian Empire (Achaemenid Empire, 550 – 330 BC)

Cyrus II is considered the founder of the Persian Empire. He began his conquests in 550 BC. e. with 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.

While conquering neighboring territories, the Persians tried not to destroy the conquered cities, but, if possible, to preserve them. Cyrus restored captured Jerusalem, like many Phoenician cities, facilitating the return of Jews from Babylonian captivity.

The Persian Empire under Cyrus extended 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 peak under Darius I, who switched from conquests to internal politics. In particular, the king divided the empire into 20 satrapies, which completely coincided with the territories of the captured states.
In 330 BC. 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. Beginning with Octavian Augustus, the 500-year history of the Roman Empire had a direct impact on European civilization and also left a cultural mark on 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.

At the height of the Roman Empire, its territories extended from the British Isles to the Persian Gulf. According to historians, by 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 government of Ancient Rome - this is what the foundation of the entire European civilization is based on. It was in imperial Rome that Christianity accepted the status of a state religion and began its 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 was a kind of connecting link between the civilizations of the East and West, influencing both the states of Europe and Asia Minor.

But if Western European and Middle Eastern countries inherited the rich 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 open for the Turks.

Arab Caliphate (632-1258)

As a result of Muslim conquests in the 7th–9th centuries, the theocratic Islamic state of the Arab Caliphate arose in the entire Middle Eastern region, as well as in certain regions of Transcaucasia, Central Asia, North Africa and Spain. The period of the Caliphate went down in history as the “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 prohibiting them from owning 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 was disastrous for the Caliphate, but the defeat of the Islamic state was completed by the Mongols.

Caliph An-Nasir, wanting to expand his possessions, turned to Genghis Khan for help, and unknowingly opened the way for the destruction of the Muslim East by a Mongol horde of thousands.

Mongol Empire (1206–1368)

The Mongol Empire is the largest state formation in history by territory.

During the period of its power, towards the end of the 13th century, the empire extended from the Sea of ​​Japan to the banks of the Danube. The total area of ​​the Mongols' possessions reached 38 million square meters. km.

Given the enormous 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 became the Golden Horde.

The economic policy of the Mongols in the occupied lands was primitive: its essence boiled down to the imposition of tribute on the conquered peoples. Everything 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 Genghisids, which not many armies could resist.
Inter-dynastic strife destroyed 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 Karakorum by Ming dynasty troops.

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, as well as 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 the emperors claimed supreme power in the Christian world. However, the struggle with the papal throne and the desire to possess Italy significantly weakened the central power of the empire.
In the 17th century, Austria and Prussia moved to leading positions in the Holy Roman Empire. But very soon the antagonism of two influential members of the empire, which resulted in a policy of conquest, threatened the integrity of their common home. The end of the empire in 1806 was marked by the strengthening 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 marked the date when the Ottoman Empire finally gained a foothold in Europe.

The period of the greatest power of the Ottoman Empire occurred in the 16th-17th centuries, but the state achieved its greatest conquests under Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.

The borders of the empire of Suleiman I extended from Eritrea in the south to the Polish-Lithuanian 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 revolved around Crimea and Transcaucasia. They were brought to an end by the First World War, as a result of which the Ottoman Empire, divided between the Entente countries, 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 scale by the 30s of the 20th century: the land area of ​​the United Kingdom, including its colonies, totaled 34 million 650 thousand square meters. km., which accounted for 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.

The success of British colonial policy was facilitated by many factors: a strong army and navy, developed industry, and the art of diplomacy. The expansion of the empire significantly influenced global geopolitics. First of all, this is the spread of British technology, trade, language, and forms of government throughout the world.
The decolonization of Britain occurred after the end of the Second World War. Although the country was among the victorious states, it found itself on the verge of bankruptcy. It was only thanks to an American loan of $3.5 billion that Great Britain was able to overcome the crisis, but at the same time lost world dominance and all its colonies.

Russian Empire (1721–1917)

The history of the Russian Empire dates back to October 22, 1721, after Peter I accepted the title of All-Russian Emperor. From that time until 1905, the monarch who became the head of the state was endowed with absolute 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 British) in terms of population - about 178 million people.

Constant expansion of 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 Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Ottoman Empire, Persia, and the British Empire.

The growth of the Russian Empire has always been viewed with particular caution by the West. The negative perception of Russia was facilitated by the appearance of the so-called “Testament of Peter the Great,” a document fabricated in 1812 by French political circles. “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.

It is in history that answers to many modern questions can be found. Do you know about the largest empire that ever existed on the planet? TravelAsk will tell you about two world giants of the past.

Largest empire by area

The British Empire is the largest state that has ever existed in the history of mankind. Of course, here we are talking not only about the continent, but also about colonies on all inhabited continents. Just think: this was even less than a hundred years ago. At different times, the area of ​​Britain was different, but the maximum was 42.75 million square meters. km (of which 8.1 million sq. km are territories in Antarctica). This is two and a half times larger than the current territory of Russia. This is 22% of land. The British Empire reached its peak in 1918.

The total population of Britain at its peak was about 480 million (about one-quarter of humanity). This is why English is so widespread. This is a direct legacy of the British Empire.

How the state was born

The British Empire grew over a long period: approximately 200 years. The 20th century marked the culmination of its growth: at this time the state possessed various territories on all continents. For this, it is called the empire “on which the sun never sets.”

And it all began in the 18th century quite peacefully: with trade and diplomacy, and occasionally with colonial conquests.

The Empire helped spread British technology, trade, the English language, and its form of government throughout the world. Of course, the basis of power was the navy, which was used everywhere. He ensured freedom of navigation, fought against slavery and piracy (slavery was abolished in Britain at the beginning of the 19th century). This made the world safer. It turns out that rather than seeking power over a vast interior for the sake of resources, the empire relied on trade and control over strategic points. It was this strategy that made the British Empire the most powerful.

The British Empire was very diverse, containing territories on every continent, creating a great variety of cultures. The state included a very diverse population, which gave it the ability to govern different regions either directly or through local rulers, an excellent skill for government. Just think: British power extended to India, Egypt, Canada, New Zealand and many other countries.

When the decolonization of the United Kingdom began, the British tried to introduce parliamentary democracy and the rule of law in the former colonies, but this was not successful everywhere. Great Britain's influence on its former territories is still noticeable today: most of the colonies decided that the Commonwealth of Nations replaced the Empire for them psychologically. Members of the Commonwealth are all former dominions and colonies of the state. Today it includes 17 countries, including the Bahamas and others. That is, they in fact recognize the monarch of Great Britain as their monarch, but locally his power is represented by the governor general. But it is worth saying that the title of monarch does not imply any political power over the Commonwealth Realms.

Mongol Empire

The second in area (but not in power) is the Mongol Empire. It was formed as a result of the conquests of Genghis Khan. Its area is 38 million square meters. km: this is slightly less than the area of ​​Britain (and if you consider that Britain owned 8 million sq. km in Antarctica, the figure looks even more impressive). The territory of the state stretched from the Danube to the Sea of ​​Japan and from Novgorod to Cambodia. This is the largest continental state in the history of mankind.

The state did not last long: from 1206 to 1368. But this empire influenced the modern world in many ways: it is believed that 8% of the planet's population are descendants of Genghis Khan. And this is quite likely: Temujin’s eldest son alone had 40 sons.

At its height, the Mongol Empire included vast areas of Central Asia, Southern Siberia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, China and Tibet. It was the world's largest land empire.

Its rise is astonishing: a group of Mongol tribes that numbered no more than a million people managed to conquer empires that were literally hundreds of times larger. How did they achieve this? Well-thought-out tactics of action, high mobility, the use of technical and other achievements of the captured peoples, as well as the correct organization of rear and supply.

But here, of course, there could be no talk of any diplomacy. The Mongols completely slaughtered cities that did not want to obey them. More than one city was wiped off the face of the earth. Moreover, Temujin and his descendants destroyed great and ancient states: the state of the Khorezmshahs, the Chinese Empire, the Baghdad Caliphate, the Volga Bulgaria. Modern historians say that up to 50% of the total population died in the occupied territories. Thus, the population of the Chinese dynasties was 120 million people, after the Mongol invasion it decreased to 60 million.

Consequences of the Great Khan's invasions

By 1206, the commander Temujin united all the Mongol tribes and was proclaimed great khan over all tribes, receiving the title “Genghis Khan”. He captured northern China, devastated Central Asia, conquered all of Central Asia and Iran, ruining the entire region.

The descendants of Genghis Khan ruled an empire that captured most of Eurasia, including almost the entire Middle East, parts of Eastern Europe, China and Rus'. Despite all its power, the real threat to the dominance of the Mongol Empire was the enmity between its rulers. The empire split into four khanates. The largest fragments of Great Mongolia were the Yuan Empire, the Ulus of Jochi (Golden Horde), the state of the Hulaguids and the Chagatai Ulus. They, in turn, also failed or were conquered. In the last quarter of the 14th century, the Mongol Empire ceased to exist.

However, despite such a short reign, the Mongol Empire influenced the unification of many regions. For example, the eastern and western parts of Russia and the western regions of China remain united to this day, albeit under different forms of government. Rus' also gained strength: Moscow, during the Tatar-Mongol yoke, was granted the status of tax collector for the Mongols. That is, Russian residents collected tribute and taxes for the Mongols, while the Mongols themselves visited Russian lands extremely rarely. Eventually, the Russian people gained military power, allowing Ivan III to overthrow the Mongols under the Principality of Moscow.