What was History's Greatest Empire?

[New Decius]

In your opinion what was the Greatest Empire in History.

I am torn between the British Empire and German Empire. The British Empire stretched around the world and was the greatest military power in the world for over three centuries with the Royal Navy being the most powerful Naval Force from the late 1600's to mid-1900's. The German Empire stretched around the world as well and was one of the greatest industrial powers in the early twentieth century. Their Imperial High Seas Fleet rivalled that of the British Grand Fleet and their ground army was one of the greatest in the world in training and experience.

What are your opinions on the subject?

[Decreasing nations]

The british empire

[Northern Arcadian Empire]

British Empire!

[Masseau]

I like the Romans as the greatest, or the Mongols.

[-The Unified Earth Governments-]

Roman Empire, and because you did not add it to the poll we must now conquer your city for the glory of Rome.

[Wraland]

Why isn't the Mongolian empire on the poll? It was the second largest.

[KAS SRD]

The British.

[Sdaeriji]

The Roman Empire. Your poll is shit.

[BredBeddles Utopia]

Mongols/Romans or I guess in closer to modern times the french, Napoleon brought a large amount of innovation in a short time that would easily outlive him and his empire.

[Arain]

Is he talking about more recent empires? If not then the Arab Empire.

[Utceforp]

Mongol Empire or Achaemenid Empire, neither of which are on the list. Largest contiguous empire and largest empire by population, respectively. The Mongol Empire had an enormous effect on population, and so thoroughly destroyed the Middle East's population that it is still recovering today. Cyrus the Great was a magnificent bastard and he was one of the first people to actually care about the administration and stability of his realm beyond what would get him the best tribute, unlike the Achaemenid's successors, the Macedonian Empire, which collapsed from overextension after a single succession crisis despite controlling roughly the same amount of territory. Religious freedom was the norm and slavery was banned too, which made the Achaemenid Empire one of the nicest places to live in the ancient world. Plus, they controlled around 40% of the world's population, though admittedly the Middle East was a very highly populated region, until the Mongols stepped in of course.

[Briwen]

roman, macedonian, south american, mongolian empire... there were so many empires......there never was a greatest empire since all empires suck.

[Utceforp]

roman, macedonian, south american, mongolian empire... there were so many empires......there never was a greatest empire since all empires suck.

The Achaemenid Empire was a lot better than most of the states they conquered. Also, I don't think that at any point in history there was a "South American Empire".

This poll is kind of shit though. The Austro-Hungarian Empire is included but not the Roman or Mongol Empires? Really?

[Prezelly]

Romans.
Influenced culture of all western civilization. Built a road system to last thousands of years. One of the longest lasting empires ever.

[Davinhia]

Y U NO ROMAN EMPIRE

[Untaroicht]

The Byzantine Empire

[Utceforp]

The Byzantine Empire

The Byzantines were a rump state that really spent most of their existence losing territory. If you're going to vote for Rome, vote for the continent-spanning empire. That's just common sense.

[BredBeddles Utopia]

The Byzantine Empire

It can be argued that this would be contained in the roman empire, Despite the shift in location. At any rate neither are an option.

[Alexandreon]

Roman Empire, due to its cultural significance. And as a law student, I have to say that without Ancient Rome, the Civil Law system that is so widespread (apart from most Anglo-Saxon and post-British states) would never emerge.

Some of Roman legal institutions exists to this day in almost unchanged shape- Actio Pauliana, definition of "vis maior" from the Corpus Iuris Civilis (I know, I know, it's Byzantine, but based upon the classic law of the imperial period)... Virtually entire legal system of continental Europe is roman heritage, only adopted and altered in two main manners by French Code Civil or German BGB (or rather Pandektenwissenschaft tradition)...

[KAS SRD]

roman, macedonian, south american, mongolian empire... there were so many empires......there never was a greatest empire since all empires suck.

The Achaemenid Empire was a lot better than most of the states they conquered. Also, I don't think that at any point in history there was a "South American Empire".

This poll is kind of shit though. The Austro-Hungarian Empire is included but not the Roman or Mongol Empires? Really?

Obviously the country that constantly suffered from rebellion is *cough*not*cough* more important than the most powerful nation of the ancient world and the second largest one in history.

[Untaroicht]

The Byzantine Empire

The Byzantines were a rump state that really spent most of their existence losing territory. If you're going to vote for Rome, vote for the continent-spanning empire. That's just common sense.

Ever since our rough crusading forefathers first saw Constantinople and met, to their contemptuous disgust, a society where everyone read and wrote, ate food with forks and preferred diplomacy to war

—Steven Runciman, The Emperor Romanus Lecapenus and His Reign: A Study of Tenth-Century Byzantium, 1988

They flourished culturally and scientifically during the medieval era while the rest of Europe was in the dark ages, enough to rival the islamic golden age.

[BredBeddles Utopia]

Roman Empire, due to its cultural significance. And as a law student, I have to say that without Ancient Rome, the Civil Law system that is so widespread (apart from most Anglo-Saxon and post-British states) would never emerge.

Some of Roman legal institutions exists to this day in almost unchanged shape- Actio Pauliana, definition of "vis maior" from the Corpus Iuris Civilis (I know, I know, it's Byzantine, but based upon the classic law of the imperial period)... Virtually entire legal system of continental Europe is roman heritage, only adopted and altered in two main manners by French Code Civil or German BGB (or rather Pandektenwissenschaft tradition)...

Institutes <3

[Alexandreon]

Roman Empire, due to its cultural significance. And as a law student, I have to say that without Ancient Rome, the Civil Law system that is so widespread (apart from most Anglo-Saxon and post-British states) would never emerge.

Some of Roman legal institutions exists to this day in almost unchanged shape- Actio Pauliana, definition of "vis maior" from the Corpus Iuris Civilis (I know, I know, it's Byzantine, but based upon the classic law of the imperial period)... Virtually entire legal system of continental Europe is roman heritage, only adopted and altered in two main manners by French Code Civil or German BGB (or rather Pandektenwissenschaft tradition)...

Institutes <3

Well, one of my beloved mottos are Ius est ars boni et aequi by Celsus and propagated by Ulpian and Praecepta iuris sunt haec: honeste vivere, alterum non laedere, suum cuique tribuere. It is profound and honestly, fitting even modern world...

[Utceforp]

The Byzantines were a rump state that really spent most of their existence losing territory. If you're going to vote for Rome, vote for the continent-spanning empire. That's just common sense.

Ever since our rough crusading forefathers first saw Constantinople and met, to their contemptuous disgust, a society where everyone read and wrote, ate food with forks and preferred diplomacy to war

—Steven Runciman, The Emperor Romanus Lecapenus and His Reign: A Study of Tenth-Century Byzantium, 1988

They flourished culturally and scientifically during the medieval era while the rest of Europe was in the dark ages, enough to rival the islamic golden age.

Okay, good point.

[Vellosia]

In modern times and in respect to size, it would have to be the British Empire without a doubt.

In terms of how enduring their influence? Unquestionably the Roman Empire; it's impact is still felt across the globe to this day.