With all the rulers that have gone through history, they all had one common goal…to rule the world. As fate would have it, not all of them were able to achieve this feat, but some were really scary in the way they tried to take over. As time passed, their names became itched in the memory books of life – whether they were good or bad.
For these leaders to have gained the dominance they did, there was so much involved, and a lot of them were focused mainly on achieving their goal at whatever cost. Certainly, there are so many that may still be fresh in your mind as if you knew them while others had their names lost in history. So, let’s learn about a few of them…
The Turkic Khaganate
The Turkic Khaganate has one of the most impressive histories in the world of the most powerful empires ever existed. It was one of the largest in the world as it measured across 2.32 million square miles when at its peak. It was also among the most feared worldwide. However, it got destroyed back in 557 when the civil war started.
If you were to look at the map, you would see just how vast it was – a force to be reckoned with.
The Turkic Khaganate
The Achaemenid Empire
Is also known as the First Persian Empire, was relatively large and existed around 550 BC. Its reign measured over 2.12 million square miles and covered a massive portion of the earth’s space.
In addition to all the fame it possessed, the empire was home to many popular rulers, fighters, and culture men. Even though it had so much power…it too, like many, fell in destruction.
The Achaemenid Empire
The Macedonian Empire
We could easily tell you were on the lookout for the Macedonian Empire as it featured a popular ruler and historical figure – Alexander the Great. The empire covered a massive 3.5% of the earth’s land space. As for Alexander the Great, he was not just an ordinary ruler but was revered by many as a spiritual leader or probably a demi-god.
Alexander the Great dashed many cultural links across history to include films – some real and other just a myth.
The Macedonian Empire
The Akkadian Empire
The Akkadian Empire was practically the first empire to be manifested and was one of the most famous in history’s existence. During the dark ancient era – 2250 BC – the Akkadian Empire was the largest, and as such, its accomplishments were extremely numerous.
For a fact, the dark ancient era presents a somehow mysterious and creepy feeling. There are not many details about this empire as its existence dates back so far.
The Akkadian Empire
The Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was one of the world’s most famous empires and deserved to make it the most influential historical existence. Interestingly, a lot of the war tactics that were created by Roman generals are still used today. This revelation is proof that the leaders of the Roman Empire were tricky and sneaky.
Does the name Caesar sound familiar? Then, you have an idea of what we mean.
The Roman Empire
The Rashidun Caliphate
The Rashidun Caliphate is not as popular as the Roman Empire, but it does have a reach as it once covered an estimated 6% of the earth’s surface. It will surely be a hard task removing it from history, and with the many accomplishments it garnered over the years, we can be sure how powerful it was.
The empire covered areas in the Middle East, Africa, and many other areas. Unfortunately, North America couldn’t be captured so easily, so its spaces remained in those areas.
The Rashidun Caliphate
The Han Imperial Dynasty
The Han Imperial Dynasty was a force to reckon with as it covered an estimated 2.51 million square miles at its height of reign. But, as fate would have it, the empire came crumbling down after their enemies swooped in revolutionary wars and broke them apart. It fell, though, only after its powerful rising.
There was another formed dynasty after this, but it too didn’t last long. This is a history China would not live to forget.
The Han Imperial Dynasty
The Maurya Empire
After the demise of The Great Alexander , the Maurya Empire took over the reins of India and other surrounding lands as they were built on the powerful legacy left by Alexander. This empire turned out to be the largest and most powerful Indian Empire in history and an accomplishment for the people of that time.
With no technology on hand, we have to give them credit for the architectural powers the people created. The buildings are a rich part of this empire’s history.
The Maurya Empire
The Western Han Dynasty
The Western Han Dynasty was Chinese-based and occupied a land space of over 2.32 million square miles. To add to this great number, it was home to more than 57 million people – which for sure is a large number. Let’s look at it…the United States has roughly 325 million people.
So, when fewer people were living on earth, we can definitely say this was a great feat for this region.
The Western Han Dynasty
The Umayyad Caliphate
The Umayyad Caliphate is ranked among the top five bordering empires in history’s existence but was a standout from the rest due to its excellent administrations, one of the world’s best! During the time, the way it operated had a lot of world leaders looking up to them.
Take some time to think about how great it was to rule an empire with this much influence. We can only imagine how good the feeling must be.
The Umayyad Caliphate
The Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty existed back in the mid-1400s and ruled through more than 2.51 million square miles. It ran successfully for a while before it was struck with natural disasters and bad economic stability. This is common among a lot of empires, but the downward trend didn’t help the situation.
The Ming Dynasty is popular in terms of its cultural influence in art and literature and known for its connection with the Western world.
The Ming Dynasty
The Sasanian Empire
The Sasanian Empire stretched across an average of 2.55 million square miles and was the last Iranian empire to exist before Islam’s establishment. The Islamic Caliphate is said to have been the driving force for the demolition of the historical empire.
There were many water bodies in the Sasanian Empire, which gave them the edge in being deemed rulers of both land and water.
The Sasanian Empire
The Eastern Han Dynasty
The Han Dynasties have a large and influential reach in history, especially seeing the Eastern Han Dynasty lasted for over 200 years. Interestingly, the Eastern Han Dynasty was a standout from the rest as it went through multiple leaders, survived terrible economic hits, and never experienced any form of collapse.
The Eastern Han Dynasty survived after its founding ruler died, which is uncommon among major dynasties who struggle to keep alive in such instances.
The Eastern Han Dynasty
The Russian Empire
During the period 1721 to 1917, the Russian Empire sailed high, it did a lot to make its name known. Intriguingly, the Russian Empire once captured a wide land space that included parts of Europe, Asia, and North America. If you ask us, that is certainly a large area across the map.
Russia is stretched across two continents – Asia and Europe – and has 11 different time zones. This for sure makes Russia the largest country in the world.
The Russian Empire
The Mongol Empire
The Mongol Empire covered more than 22% of the earth’s land space and existed from the 13th to the 14th century. The great Genghis Khan founded it, and based on its massive size, many other empires feared it.
The empire’s ruler Genghis Khan was known to have been the one to unite the northeastern tribes in China. Also, Khan has more than a dozen children and married about eight wives.
The Mongol Empire
The Tibetan Empire
The Tibetan Empire ruled over an average of 3% of the Earth’s surface and existed back in 800 AD. This empire lasted more than 200 years through its successive rulers’ vast knowledge and critical thinking skills. Not many empires last that long.
Checking the map, you can see the numerous landscapes the empire covered. It somehow took control of a lot of the inhabited spaces across the globe.
The Tibetan Empire
The Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty covered an average of 3.6% of the Earth’s land space and ran from 619-907 AD. It played a great role during its reign as it focused highly on art and poetry. Famous poets Li Bai and Du Fu are rumored to have lived under this dynasty.
The name “Tang” might ring a bell, but so to clear the air, it has nothing to do with the 1990s powder we use to make juice.
The Tang Dynasty
The British Empire
The British Empire by far stretched across 33.7 million square miles and was the largest empire in terms of population to ever exist. Interestingly, the British Empire had once recorded an estimated 35.9% GDP, which works out to about 1,111 billion in 1870. This is a great figure, indeed.
This empire is still in existence as it covers a lot to include some Caribbean Islands, Australia, and New Zealand. Long live the queen, perhaps?
The British Empire
The Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire ruled a large portion of the Earth for more than seven centuries and is known for its prolific legal system and introduction of a jurisprudence system. This empire also stretches across three continents. It sure has its name in history.
The Ottoman Empire started back in 1299, and its capital was Constantinople. This major city was known for its stability in creating a hub for global trade and other economic activities.
The Ottoman Empire
The Spanish Empire
During the 15th to the 19th century, the Spanish Empire was born and operated. It covered more than 10% of the Earth’s surface and was known to be the first global empire to be created. The Spanish Empire covered lands in Europe, the New world, and Africa.
The Spaniards were on a mission to capture and own as much land space as possible to have their own dominance over both the land and seas.
The Spanish Empire
French Colonial Empire
The French Colonial Empire started back in the early centuries and was reported to have over 110 million people in 1939. This population was stretched across a 4.4 million square mile space and included France’s formerly controlled territories and protectorates. However, 1980 saw the conglomerate’s disestablishment, formerly the French Colonial space, but its effects are evident today. After a short rule, 40 years, we can safely say it was powerful and had lots of influence
French Colonial Empire
Yuan Dynasty
Most of the powerful dynasties in history ruled in the Asian province. The Yuan Dynasty was the first foreign-ruled dynasty governed by Kublai Khan, grandson of the great Genghis Khan. Also known as the Great Khan, it operated from 1271 to 1368.
Kublai Khan ruled over this empire, which was estimated to have an average of 10,000 households and what makes up most of what China is today.
Yuan Dynasty
The Brazilian Empire
The Brazilian Empire started in 1822 and ran for 60 years before it came to a halt. The founding leaders of this empire were the ones to control Brazil and a few territories in Uruguay. Certainly, it was a large land space, and after its independence from Portugal, Brazil formed its own empire.
Pedro II was the first, second, and the last king Brazil had, and the country looks totally different from what it was before.
The Brazilian Empire
The Indo-Greek Kingdom
The Indo-Greek Kingdom consisted of northern Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India and ran from 180 BCE to 10 AD. During its reign, this empire was ruled by more than 30 kings and is called Indo-Greek because of its connection between the Greek and Indian cultures.
The Indo-Greek Empire was quite influential and powerful, and features are evident today, such as the Greco-Buddhist art practice.
The Indo Greek Kingdom
The Empire of Harsha
Emperor Harshvardhana was a part of the Vardhana Dynasty and ruled between 606 CE and 647 CE. During his time as a ruler of this dynasty, Harsha managed to accumulate 5,000 elephants and cavalry of about 20,000. It turned out to be among the nine largest empires to exist in India with this much accomplishment.
Also, the empire leader was quite humble and looked out for the wellbeing of his subjects.
The Empire Of Harsha
The First French Empire
The popular Napoleon Bonaparte ruled the First French Empire that existed around the 19th century. Many people may know this empire as the Greater French Empire or the Napoleonic Empire and comprised over 44 million people. Its military also expanded to Spain, Italy, Germany, and the Duchy of Warsaw.
Bonaparte’s end during the Battle of Waterloo. You may be a fan of his namesake ice cream – Napoleon (chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry mix.)
The First French Empire
The Incan Empire
Before Christopher Columbus came on the scene, the Incan Empire controlled most, if not all, the Americas. This empire also produced resourceful people before the invention of wheels and other tools needed for effective production. However, during the 1500s, the Spanish Empire conquered the Incan Empire.
Most of their operations were a mystery, including their structured political and administrative systems, as they were well organized.
The Incan Empire
The Gupta Empire
India’s Golden Age era saw the running of the Gupta Empire, which had control of most of the subcontinent and was ruled by Chandra Gupta. Chandra got married to a princess and later declared himself as the only king. He managed to rule for ten years and handed the kingship to his son, Samudra. The young Gupta reigned for 45 years.
Samudra was considered a great king who possessed a notable character and catered to his people’s needs.
The Gupta Empire
The Assyrian Empire
The Assyrian Empire was considered the “First True Empire” as they were the first to use unity and great organizational skills to achieve the vast land space they had. Their army was really effective and strong, and they fought long and hard until the Babylonians conquered them. The name was also transferred to the acquiring empire.
The Assyrian Empire lasted from 2500 BC to 609 Bc – a pretty long time for a single empire.
The Assyrian Empire
The First Portuguese Empire
The Portuguese Empire was started from a voyage made by Prince Harry the Voyager, who traveled to Africa, South America, and Asia. He brought with him, too, a lot of explorers. This empire is also known to many as the Portuguese Overseas or the Portuguese Colonial Empire, a well-known empire in western Europe’s history.
The First Portuguese empire started in 1415 and ended in 1999 after the Macau administration reclaimed Ceuta’s North African city.
The First Portuguese Empire
The First Bulgarian Empire
The First Bulgarian Empire came to an end when it connected to the Byzantine Empire after being in operation during the 7th and 11th centuries. The merger took place in 1185 AD and was led by Khan Asparukh. His leadership led the Bulgars from Central Asia as they were a pagan tribe.
While they were being exiled, they conquered and captured the Province of Moesia, but when the Christian religion grew in Europe, it became too much for them to handle.
The First Bulgarian Empire
The Sumer Empire
Sumer, during its popular days, was the largest city in the world and registered in Iraq. The Mesopotamian empire was versed in its development of the agriculture sector. Records have it that they were the first to conduct draining marshes to use as farmlands and were instrumental in the trading and industries sectors. The empire began in 5400 BC and had an estimated population of close to 60,000.
They also established a script known as Cuneiform, which is a major accomplishment for the empire.
The Sumer Empire
The Lydian Empire
The Lydian Empire is famous for its development and use of coins as they were the first civilization to include gold and silver in their currency. Beginning in 1200 BC and running through to 546 BC, this empire survived in the Iron Age. The Lydian Empire existed in Western Asia close to the Turkish provinces. However, Croesus, the wealthy Lydian ruler running the empire, met his demise when the Persian Empire took control in 546 BC.
This said war is said to have been started by Croesus himself.
The Lydian Empire
The Hunnic Empire
During the 4th and 5th centuries, a large army of equestrians (the Huns) tried to capture most of Europe’s reigns, including the Roman Empire and China. This empire’s origin is unknown but was a strong force of military personnel and horsemen that didn’t seem to have a stable plan. However, it seemed their mission was to confuse their enemies.
There was no king, but the people were led by the chieftains until Attila the Hun was lifted to the leadership spot. After his death, the empire, too, came to a slow halt until it stopped completely
The Hunnic Empire
The Fatimid Dynasty
The Fatimid Dynasty was derived from politics that developed in the Islamic religion. The ultimate mission was to extend the empire to parts of the Middle East and regions in Africa. During its peak, Cairo was born in 969 AD and was the central point for the Islamic-Arabic cultures.
When the Crusades launched their attack on the empire, it crumbled under pressure and lost their position in 1099.
The Fatimid Dynasty
The Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire was established in 1526 and ran through South Asia. Interestingly, this empire lasted more than 300 years and was founded by Zahir-ud-Din Muhammad Babur. At the end of 1690, the empire covered an estimated 4 million square kilometers and consisted of mostly Indian territories.
In 1857, the Mughal Empire came to a halt and eventually crashed after its emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar was arrested for treason.
The Mughal Empire
The Italian Empire
Italy once had the belief that they should gain a huge territory in the world after its empire was built in 1861. The idea was supported by many, including Benito Mussolini. During that time, most empires worldwide were trying to get a piece of Africa under their reign. As it turned out, Italy did get its fair share of Africa and Germany.
World War II saw Mussolini partnering with Hitler to get more land space for his empire. However, the battle was lost, and so was the empire in 1943.
The Italian Empire
The Soviet Union
The Soviet Union was born after Russia’s Czar Nicholas II rule and controlled approximately one-sixth of its existence. This empire was also the first Marxist-Communist state globally and was one of the most powerful empires. It was also the starting point of the Russian Revolution. The Soviet Union’s leader Joseph Stalin was a dictator of the highest level, and sadly, he created a mess when he allowed the worst human-made famine to hit the nation.
In 1991, Stalin allowed the Soviet Union to host a multi-party election, and since then, it was a disaster for the nation that soon led to its demise.
The Soviet Union
The Second German Empire
The Second German Empire began during the time the Nazi Regime had taken control of the German Party. This empire began in 1871 and was also called the Second Reich. The Second German Empire was born after Germany conquered France during the Franco-Prussian War.
The empire’s first Reichskanzler was Otto Von Bismarck, which had full control of Prussia – a region that consisted of more than three-fifths of Germany and the same percentage of the population. Prussia was the stronghold of the empire until it fell during the ending period of World War I.
The Second German Empire