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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vast portions of the world’s current civilizations were significantly driven by magnitude influences from some of the biggest empires in history. These empires have extended their powers beyond their origins by becoming the catalysts for cultural, economic, and technological advancement.
This article explores some of the largest and most influential empires in the world, from the ever-majestic British Empire to the dominant Mongol Empire.
6 Biggest Empires in History
The British Empire is widely recognized as the biggest empire in history, ruling over 412 million people or 23 percent of the world’s population in 1913. Read on to delve deeper into the discussion, as taken from World Atlas, Best Diplomats, and Times of India.
1. The British Empire
Conquering most of its possessions through colonization, trade, and war, the British Empire shaped history to become the world's largest empire in terms of both population and territory. From the late 16th century to the mid-20th century, the British Empire maintained a high status that coined the phrase "The sun never sets on the British Empire."
Although the British Empire relinquished much of its territory after World War II, the British Empire left a lasting legacy in today's international affairs through multiple influences, including cultural, economic, political, and social, as reflected in the widespread adoption of the English language.
2. The Mongol Empire
Founded by Genghis Khan in 1206, the Mongol Empire leveraged its dominance by uniting the Mongol tribes, which eventually led to control of much of Eastern Europe and most of Central Asia and China. This robust empire reportedly spread its influence over an estimated 23 million square kilometers of Eurasia.
At its height, the Mongol Empire was a renowned trade hub, facilitating channels for the exchange of goods, technologies, commodities, and ideologies. Most notably, under the leadership of Genghis Khan, new diplomatic relationships were established between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
3. The Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a colossal political catalyst that shaped the global geopolitical landscape due to its territory spanning three continents. Under the ambitious emperor Peter the Great (Peter I), its vast expanse flourished and was second to none, with nearly 125.6 million people under its rule.
Uniting multiple territories, religions, languages, and cultures, the Russian Empire pioneered significant growth in GDP and living standards through rapid industrialization. Today, most of the former territory of the Russian Empire still belongs to the Russian Federation, which is a role model in world affairs.
4. The Spanish Empire
The Spanish Empire, led by Portugal and Spain, was once the most influential colonial empire, covering 5.39 million square miles in the Caribbean, North and South America, Europe, and North Africa.
In addition to the Spanish language, the Spanish Empire was the first to introduce new crops such as potatoes and tomatoes to Europe. This contributed to a remarkable global economic development.
5. The Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty, the last imperial dynasty of China, was founded by the ethnic Manchu Aisin Gioro clan and oversaw the territories of modern-day China, Mongolia, and Taiwan. Throughout its reign, from 1644 to 1922, the Qing Dynasty promoted administrative sophistication and significant cultural advances such as Qing porcelain and the flowering of art and literature.
The Qing Dynasty left a lasting legacy that's still very much alive in China's cultural identity, demonstrating its immense importance in many aspects of life.
6. Umayyad Caliphate
Established after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, the Umayyad Caliphate extended its power throughout the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, Spain, and part of Central Asia. Although the Umayyad Caliphate was short-lived, it was a major force in introducing Islam through art, architecture, and other cultural advances.
The Umayyad Caliphate reached its peak between 661 and 750 when some 4.29 million square miles of the Middle East and North Africa were under its influence.
The legacy of the biggest empires in history lives on in the cultures, languages, and innovations that continue to shape our modern world. Understanding their contributions offers valuable insights into today’s international connections and cultural exchanges.
World Atlas | Times of India | Best Diplomats | Statista | Britannica
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