Which empire has been the most successful empire in world history?

Answer 1

I had to laugh reading some of the answers above, the romans didn't come close to half the globe. The Brits and the Mongols were larger. Ghengis Khan's empire was larger than the roman, Alexander's and Hitler's COMBINED..........

Answer 2

Some people state the Roman empire and only look at the British Empire for a couple of hundred years.

But think back to the very beginnings when was invaded by the Normans back to 1066. If you think that England became the main seat of William the conqueror at this time and his possessions in France became exactly that, Possessions.

The beginnings of the Empire in reality started then in 1066 in England.
England had possessions in France for several hundred years and gradually moved out over the years to include Wales and Ireland. This was followed by expansion of the overseas colonies such as the America and Canada and several islands in the Caribbean in the 1500's. Scotland joined in the early 1700's and from there India and a whole host of other places to be at one point the greatest Empire the world had ever seen. Although there is no Empire any more, Britain still has territory abroad even if it's only few scattered Islands around the Caribbean and Pacific. So if you look at it in this light the British Empire lasted around 900-1000 years
Look at the main International language used throughout the world in commerce today it's English!!!!
In most countries today people who want to get ahead in the world learn English!!!!!

Answer 3

The most successful empire in world history was without doubt the British Empire. It covered a quarter of the world's surface. Many of the former nations of that empire are now members of the Commonwealth.

The greatest success for the British, the Jewel in the Crown, is India - the worlds greatest democracy. All done by the Indians themselves lead by Gandhi.

Answer 4

The British Empire by far , greator than the Romans , The British Empire , had control at its hight of its power more land area , and more people than any other power in history, before or since, the Mogols , the Vandels, the Chinese , the Goths , the Russians, Gengas Ghan you must be joking, The Greeks , Romans, All these tichy little Empires paled into insignificance compared to the British empire

Answer 5

I'd say British for the amount of land covered. Or Roman for longevity. It's hard to compare these as the obstacles each overcame were so different.

"The empire of the United states of America.

Why:

1) They can destroy the earth
2) Have most money
3) Most knowledge
4) Can go to war without having the agreement of others
5) Their only enemy is some bearded terrorists in dark caves chanting religous songs"

Just wanted to reply to this.
1) No they couldn't. They could wipe out humanity but that's not the same thing.
2) Most money - they're in debt. How can they have most money when they owe so much?
3) Most knowledge - Can I assume you're an American? ;)
4) Just like everybody else. Although it's been a while since the US bothered declaring war on anybody.
5) Who they can't catch or defeat...

Answer 6

This question actually hinges on your definition of the word "successful". For example, the British Empire covered the most land and ruled the most people, the Roman Empire lasted far longer, and the Chinese and Greek Empires contributed the most to long term human culture.

Answer 7

Probably the British Empire, which owned a quarter of the world's land mass. Before it died on its ar$e.
I don't think it's true that the Roman Empire covered half the globe. That would involve travelling to places like the Americas etc.

Answer 8

The Empire Leicester Square

Answer 9

ummm, china. 3,000 years of progress as a nation, encompasses about 25% of the world population at present

that said there have been many hugely successful empires that most posters seem to forget. perhaps you've heard of the Mongol Empire. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongol_Empire

my personal favorite is Achaemenid Empire, built by Cyrus the Great http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrus_the_great . of interesting note, Cyrus took Babylon (Iraq) without a fight

as for the poster who mentions Darth Vader's empire, he should get a clue. if you wanna go that route better check out the Galactic Empire of Isaac Asimov http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galactic_Empire_%28Asimov%29 a much better story. indeed Lukas "borrowed" the Empire for his Star Wars thingy.

EDIT >>> as for the folks who keep harping about the british empire, 400 years is merely a blink in time. i cannot deem that as successful, more like a fluke of the times.

Answer 10

Read below and follow the link. You might be surprised.


The British Empire was the most extensive empire in world history and for a substantial time was the foremost global power. It was a product of the European age of discovery, which began with the maritime explorations of the 15th century, that sparked the era of the European colonial empires.

By 1913, the British Empire held sway over a population of about 458 million people, approximately one-quarter of the world's population.[1] It covered about 32.6 million km² (14.2 million square miles)[2], about a quarter of Earth's total land area. Though it has now mostly evolved into the Commonwealth of Nations, British influence remains strong throughout the world: in economic practice, legal and governmental systems, society, sports (such as cricket and football), and the English language itself, to name just a few.

Because of its size at the peak of its power, it was often said that "the sun never sets on the British Empire" because the empire's span across the globe ensured that the sun was always shining on at least one of its numerous colonies.