8 of the Largest Empires in History
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Some empires didn’t just make history—they dominated it. Until they didn’t. Here are eight of the largest empires the world has ever seen.
Persian empire
Also known as the Achaemenian Empire, the kingdom created under Cyrus the Great stretched from Iran into Central Asia and Egypt.
Han dynasty
Established in 206 BCE, China’s Han dynasty lasted more than 400 years and expanded from China into Vietnam and Korea.
Umayyad Caliphate
Established following the death of Muhammad in 632 CE, the vast Umayyad dynasty comprised over 4 million square miles, making its empire one of the largest in history.
Mongol empire
One of the largest contiguous land empires in history, the Mongol empire spread throughout the 13th and 14th centuries CE. It rose from a collection of nomadic tribes in central Asia and at its height extended from Central Asia to Central Europe and to the Sea of Japan. The empire’s best-known leader was Genghis Khan, who founded the empire in 1206 CE.
Ottoman Empire
At its height, between the 16th and 17th centuries CE, the Islamic empire of Süleyman the Magnificent covered portions of three continents: Southeastern Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa. The Ottoman Empire collapsed in the early years of the 20th century.
Spanish empire
At its height, in the late 1700s, the Spanish empire comprised 5.3 million square miles and wielded tremendous economic and military power.
Russian Empire
At its greatest extent, in 1895, the Russian Empire reached 8.9 million square miles. Because of its size and influence, the empire had played an integral role in halting Napoleon’s conquest of Europe.
British Empire
At its greatest extent, early in the 20th century, the British Empire comprised nearly a quarter of the planet and an equal percentage of its population. Many of the territories it colonized have since gained independence, though several remain part of what is known as the Commonwealth of Nations today.