Poll: Favorite historical empire

[ChaoticLegion]

Well, this is a very tough question to answer seriously.

In terms of the brutality and destruction that an empire can cause at war, I think the overall victor there has to be the Mongols. No other empire that I can call to mind has in history, been as ruthless or as vicious as them.

In terms of efficiency I would have to say that the Romans were very impressive on that front. Army's that were so well trained a mere handfull could swing the tide of battle just using superiour fighting methods and tactics. Also advancements developed by the Romans are rather astounding, many of which are still used today, such as the advancements of roads, aqueducts, bronze tubing for pumps, cement that could be used underwater, reinforced concrete and massive advancements in the ideals of Law and Order. These are major advancements that we still use today and are by no means anywhere near the full list. A more exhaustive list can be found here (http://www.mariamilani.com/ancient_rome/ancient_roman_inventions.htm#List%20of%20Ancient%20Roman%20Inventions)

And finaly with reguards to size, the undisputed choice has to be the British empire. No other Empire in history has been as large or as expansive as this, a feat that's not easily achieved... as can be seen by the downfall of the empire due to exhaustive war.

Overall these 3 would come at the top of my list for the above stated reasons... but if I were to pick one to top the list, I think it would have to be the Roman Empire. Although not the largest empire it was still vast, and although not as vicious as the Mongol hordes, it was certainly much more efficient in combat. On top of that the above mentioned inventions sway me to choose them.

P.S. These are purely my opinions and current knowledged beliefs, I did no research at all for writing this so if anything is indeed incorrect feel free to correct me.

 

[RyVal]

Even though I voted for the Roman Empire I know that the British Empire to this day is still great because it's still alive since it's beginning.

Unfortunately, the UK is not nearly as powerful at it was even 100 years ago. WWII drained Britain and it is still panting and out of breath to this day.

Au contraire.

Britain is one of the few nations to peacefully dismantle its empire and still retain its position as a prominent world power. We've long since recovered from WWII - 60 years of time passing tends to do that - and we're still a player on the world stage, even if we can no longer lord over our neighbours as much.

And what empire, really? All we have left is the Falklands and a few insignificant islands dotted around the place.

I beg to differ. You have barely recovered at all.

Your ignorance astounds me.

I take it then that absolutely nothing happened between 1945 and 2010, then. It's not like the UK had its 80s economic boom, or the development of the Welfare State, or the move into financial services, or the massive increases in quality of life, or the changes in social mobility, or the 11 years of economic growth since Labour came into power (before the Recession)...

If you honestly believe the UK has "barely recovered" from WWII, then you have a very poor understanding of the modern world.

You may have dismantled your empire peacefully, but it surely wasn't voluntary and you definitely are not as prominent a world player as you think you are.

Who ever dismantles their empire voluntarily?

And really, the UK is a member of the UN Permanent Security Council, as well as a leading member in NATO and the European Union. What, pray tell, is your definition of a "world player"?

Britain is hardly that powerful anymore. You are about as powerful as many other European countries,

Western Europe, of course, being the home of many powerful, first-world, post-empire nations who still retain major influence in their former colonial holdings and play significant roles in regional and world affairs.

despite your position in the UNSC, such permanent positions are determined not by strength, but by status as one of the major Allied Powers.

The UN Security Council contains the world's alleged superpowers - Russia, the USA and the PRC. The UK is able to veto any of their proposals. Membership in the Permanent Security Council is not something to be sniffed at.

Aside from the UNSC, Britain really has nothing special going for it.

Aside from all the aforementioned details.

Now, I'm no patriot, but neither am I someone who will tolerate blatant misinformation.

Not misinformation. An economic boom does not mean you are amazingly powerful. America is the only remaining superpower in the world. Not even China is considered a superpower.

Oh my.

I get the feeling this is a lost case.

Europe, as a whole, is not as powerful as it was in the 1800's.

That still doesn't mean that it isn't powerful. Russia isn't as powerful as it was in the 19th century, but it ain't no pushover.

Britain has left center stage, and has been far from it. Don't get me wrong, you aren't weak, but there's nothing particularly special about Britain as far as influence.

You literally contradict yourself within seconds.

First there was nothing special about the UK except it being a member of the UNSC and it was weak, now there's nothing special about the UK except for its influence and it is isn't weak.

The UK has fallen into the subtle crowd of western European nations, with neither the financial strength or the military strength to do anything it could have done back in 1910.

It managed to successfully invade Afghanistan, something that the apparantly infallible Empire failed to do.

That's all I'm saying is that Britain is weaker than it was, not that it is weak now compared to a lot of people.

That's quite clearly not what you said.

You said - and I quote - the UK "has barely recovered from WWII".

 

[Teddy Roosevelt]

Even though I voted for the Roman Empire I know that the British Empire to this day is still great because it's still alive since it's beginning.

Unfortunately, the UK is not nearly as powerful at it was even 100 years ago. WWII drained Britain and it is still panting and out of breath to this day.

Au contraire.

Britain is one of the few nations to peacefully dismantle its empire and still retain its position as a prominent world power. We've long since recovered from WWII - 60 years of time passing tends to do that - and we're still a player on the world stage, even if we can no longer lord over our neighbours as much.

And what empire, really? All we have left is the Falklands and a few insignificant islands dotted around the place.

I beg to differ. You have barely recovered at all.

Your ignorance astounds me.

I take it then that absolutely nothing happened between 1945 and 2010, then. It's not like the UK had its 80s economic boom, or the development of the Welfare State, or the move into financial services, or the massive increases in quality of life, or the changes in social mobility, or the 11 years of economic growth since Labour came into power (before the Recession)...

If you honestly believe the UK has "barely recovered" from WWII, then you have a very poor understanding of the modern world.

You may have dismantled your empire peacefully, but it surely wasn't voluntary and you definitely are not as prominent a world player as you think you are.

Who ever dismantles their empire voluntarily?

And really, the UK is a member of the UN Permanent Security Council, as well as a leading member in NATO and the European Union. What, pray tell, is your definition of a "world player"?

Britain is hardly that powerful anymore. You are about as powerful as many other European countries,

Western Europe, of course, being the home of many powerful, first-world, post-empire nations who still retain major influence in their former colonial holdings and play significant roles in regional and world affairs.

despite your position in the UNSC, such permanent positions are determined not by strength, but by status as one of the major Allied Powers.

The UN Security Council contains the world's alleged superpowers - Russia, the USA and the PRC. The UK is able to veto any of their proposals. Membership in the Permanent Security Council is not something to be sniffed at.

Aside from the UNSC, Britain really has nothing special going for it.

Aside from all the aforementioned details.

Now, I'm no patriot, but neither am I someone who will tolerate blatant misinformation.

Not misinformation. An economic boom does not mean you are amazingly powerful. America is the only remaining superpower in the world. Not even China is considered a superpower.

Oh my.

I get the feeling this is a lost case.

Europe, as a whole, is not as powerful as it was in the 1800's.

That still doesn't mean that it isn't powerful. Russia isn't as powerful as it was in the 19th century, but it ain't no pushover.

Britain has left center stage, and has been far from it. Don't get me wrong, you aren't weak, but there's nothing particularly special about Britain as far as influence.

You literally contradict yourself within seconds.

First there was nothing special about the UK except it being a member of the UNSC and it was weak, now there's nothing special about the UK except for its influence and it is isn't weak.

The UK has fallen into the subtle crowd of western European nations, with neither the financial strength or the military strength to do anything it could have done back in 1910.

It managed to successfully invade Afghanistan, something that the apparently infallible Empire failed to do.

That's all I'm saying is that Britain is weaker than it was, not that it is weak now compared to a lot of people.

That's quite clearly not what you said.

You said - and I quote - the UK "has barely recovered from WWII".

Jesus, are you fucking kidding me. Do you have to scrutinize I never specifically said Europe was weak I said they barely recovered which they did. It's not actually debatable I have no idea why you think you're such a smartass. Britain isn't weak but it can get its ass handed to it by a good number of nations which wouldn't happen earlier. Anyway, if you want to think you invaded Afghanistan, it isn't hard. First off, America did, and is still doing, all the dirty work. Second, it isn't hard to invade someone who is already in a civil war. Jesus. Last thing you said... fucking wrong. I never said Britain was considerably weak. I only ever said it was weaker than it was and hasn't gotten back.

 

[Teddy Roosevelt]

No, I'm done with this.

 

[blindthrall]

America is the only remaining superpower in the world. Not even China is considered a superpower.

Give that about 5 years to be proven untrue. Especially when India goes commie. Seriously.

 

[BehattedWanderer]

I'm going to go with the Mughal Empire, followed by the Ayyubid, followed by the Russian, then the Roman. (Yes, the Ayyubid also known as part of the Abbasid empire).

Veni, Vidi, Vici, bitches.

Veni, Vici, Capitulet, Sucker.

 

[blindthrall]

"I came, I saw, I conquered."

And then I came again.

 

[Lord_Panzer]

I like the Roman empire, but I do find myself wondering what they've done for us lately?

Gotta say, that last bit took me off-guard. Made me laugh the most I have all week.

 

[Chorionicstu]

I would have to go with the third reich. Now before everyone calls me an anti-semite or racist bear in mind that this is a question of your favorite empire and not about who it harmed. Also almost every other empire in history has killed millions of innocent people too.

Anyways, the third reich managed to conquer Europe in roughly 3 years time which is a big deal considering the number of enemies Germany had at the time. Also fighting the top two world powers (USA and USSR) at the same time and managing to hold out for as long as they did takes a lot of skill. Controlling the Balkans alone would've taken a lot of work since it has a history of violence and revolts when conquered.

 

[Lord_Panzer]

Veni, Vidi, Vici, bitches.

...? I know it's what Caesar said, but what does it mean?

"I came, I saw, I conquered."

Pretty much encapsulates the guy.

 

[Lord_Panzer]

Veni, Vidi, Vici, bitches.

...? I know it's what Caesar said, but what does it mean?

"I came, I saw, I conquered."

Pretty much encapsulates the guy.

Thank you. That will also help with my Roman test on Friday at school.

Oh oh oh oh oh!!! Can I take it for you?!?

In a different vein, I suggest you look up the incident where a young Julius Caesar was kidnapped by pirates. It's absolutely hilarious, and also shows just how much of a badass the guy was.

 

[Julianking93]

They got Liam Neeson to play Zeus. He's already like a god, but now, he's the god of gods!

So he's going to be a God that is a God of the God's.

The new Clash of the Titans will be awesome.No exception's,for it has Liam Neeson in it.

It wins again for having Ralph Fiennes as Hades.

 

[Pingieking]

The diffrence between diffrent countries and China would be that they all saw themselves as "China", the legitimate heir to the previous empire.

The Republic of China and the People's Republic of China both claim to be the legitimate heirs to the Qing Dynasty, yet they are radically different and you certainly wouldn't call them the same country.

Actually, neither of them do. Neither of the Chinese republics claim to be any kind of heir to any dynasty. In fact, both republics proudly pronounce the end of the Chinese Empire (the PRC acts like an empire but refuses to recognizes itself as one).

Not to mention the fact that most of the significant dynasties survived for at least a full century (most of them extending beyond 200 years) which puts them ahead of such fragile empires as the "mongol" empire that existed for about a decade.

Still certainly puts them under the Western and Eastern Roman Empires, the British Empire, the Portuguese Empire, the Spanish Empire, the Ottoman Empire, the Persian Empires...

Well, not many dynasties of any empires lasted for over 300 years. No Roman empire dynasty managed to last 5 centuries. Also, China is historically recognized as an empire that lasted a little over 2100 years, which beats the Roman Empire easily, even if you combined the Western Roman and Eastern Roman (Byzantium) empires. If you take China just to the Mongol Conquest, that's still a solid 1500 years of continuous Han imperialism. No one could claim anywhere near the amount of ethnic and cultural dominance that the Chinese had (they even assimilated the guys who conquered them, which is a hell of a lot better than any other empire had managed to do).

If you want to be really picky about it, I could say Ming Dynasty China but the truth is that the Ming Dynasty only percieved themselves as re-establishing the old empire after mongol occupation.

Why the Ming dynasty? They were actually one of the shorter ones.

Except that they weren't. Clocking in at about 270 years, that dynasty wasn't short by any empire's standards. The first 50 years of it was one of the great high points of the Chinese Empire. It was the revival of the empire after the Mongols, and it was also the greatest military and economic superpower in the early 1400s. The dynasty is generally looked down upon by the Chinese, because it's legacy is basically political backstabbing and its multiple secret police agencies.

Besides, civil war is not a disqualifying factor for what constitutes an empire.

It is when the resulting nation is radically different.

And there lies my issue with all your points. Most of the Chinese dynasties are not radically different from each other. The only dynasty to be radically different was the Yuan (Mongolian). The Qing was the Manchurian dynasty, but aside from the ethnicity of the imperial family and the odd fashion sense there wasn't that much difference compared to the Ming dynasty it replaced.

 

[Ocelot GT]

Roman!

I want a toga...and some Roman sandals (actually I got those) and some tunics and armor and gladiator stuff and roar!

srsly, all modern sports are just a primitive form of the gladiatorial arena.

 

[Lord_Panzer]

And about the test, are you blonde and male?

No and yes. Dye your hair brown?

 

[Code Monkey]

I'm going with Greece. The Romans just ripped it off.

Also:

(I couldn't resist.)