Which empire was/is the most powerful?

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: tagej
I would leave nukes out of the equation, because just having them doesn't give you anything -- the Soviets/Russians have enough to obliterate the earth as well, but they are not a true military power right now.

I'd have to say Rome under Ceasar and other emperor was the truest dynasty -- they literally conquered, subdued and assimilated pretty much the entire world known at the time. The US might be able to project power right now in a certain spot where needed, but the US in no way shape or form could occupy, subdue and assimilate (and keep control of!) every country in the world. Not even close. Look at how much trouble we have 'holding' on little country like Iraq in line, I don't see how the US would conquer and subdue countries like India, China, Russia etc.

I guess if you looked back in time Ghengis Kahn and his Mongols would have to rank up there as well. If you look at the map at the amount of territory he conquered in his time, it was even larger (in square miles) than what the Romans held.

Have to pretty much agree. Nukes, tanks, stealth aircraft, and aircraft carriers are moot to the arguement. When the Romans ruled, the US and all it's power didn't. I think a major difference between the US and Rome is not so much the capability, but the willingness to use the capability. Rome was far more willing than the US.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: dighn
the british empire

not only did it have colonies on the other side of the earth, it created countries like the us, canada, australia... sooo much influence.

Yup, I don't think the British was the most powerful, but it came close. However, I would say it has been the most influential. Along with the countries you pointed out that are offspring of the British, English is also the dominant(not in numbers) global language being widespread and the most sought after and usefull.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: Citrix
The US is not a Emprie. We have never ever conqured another country to expand our borders or for colonianism. If that was true the Grand Ole' flag would be flying over most of the countries in Europe, Japan, Iraq, Afganistan.

The mighitest empire was the Mongols. They were hard core mofos and if they went head to head with the roman legions the Italians would be eating Mongolian BBQ and speaking chinese.

Though "Empire" doesn't require assimillation of lands within it's borders, I think hundreds of Native tribes might disagree with your claim.

 

[Schadenfreude]

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: Imdmn04
the mongols, they kicked everybodys ass, almost all of europe and all of asia.

The funniest part is that they are so short. * Points finger and laughs *

EDIT: Hell hath no fury like a mongorian.

I'd hafta go with the Mongorians as well . . . but how come no one even bothered to include/mention Alexander the Great?

 

[NoReMoRsE]

USSR Empire. You think they're dead? That's what they wanted you to believe!

<Lenin Zombie>Must...crush...capitalism...</Lenin Zombie>

 

[syzygy]

another vote for the mongols.

the mongols mowed down all who came before them. they ended the abbasid caliphate, destroyed baghdad in 1258, and
forever changed the course of muslim political history.

the only reason the mongols stopped their stroll of death through europe was the death of ogedei, the khan of khans. they
were virtually undefeated. no one could slow them down, much less defeat them. they were the nuclear weapon of their time.

the only reason the mongols lost at ain jalut was, again, because the khan of khans died, in this case, mongke, which
foreced hulegu to return to mongolia to protect his right to the ultimate title. he left behind a smaller force than usual,
a total of 25,000 of combined mongol and allied forces, to sweep against the mamlukes. the malukes defeated this
lesser mongol force and from that point on the mongol surge slowly receded.

if ogedei or mongke had lived a few years longer each, we could all have fallen under the mongol yoke. its unknown
whether any future khans would have shown any restraint against marching into italy and taking rome, and from there
sweeping into the iberian peninsula. what if . . .

 

[UglyCasanova]

Not the largest, but the Persian Empire certainly ranks up there. For a time one could argue for the French under the rule of Napolean Bonapart as well. They did make it all the way to Moscow.

I'm not sure that you could say that a Mongolian Empire ever existed. There were conquered lands, but the Mongols were nomads. Take and Leave. While not covering as much land, other empires such as the Romans had a much greater lasting impact.

 

[Cougar]

I'd hafta go with the Mongorians as well . . . but how come no one even bothered to include/mention Alexander the Great?

Dunno. Alexandar the Great tore some cities up in his day. The Greek empire stretched pretty far and some of the Roman culture was basically a rip-off of the Greek culture if I remember correctly (speaking of gods and such).

Also, the Spartans were pure fighting machines. They were bred from childbirth to be soldiers and they spent their entire lives honing their skills.

 

[dawks]

Originally posted by: dighn
the british empire

not only did it have colonies on the other side of the earth, it created countries like the us, canada, australia... sooo much influence.

Bingo. As much as US citizens wont admit it, in the most basic sense, they ARE a British Coloney. Along with Canada, and Austrailia.. They also had power over parts of China, and Africa..

 

[Luagsch]

i would say the greek empire, but not because of the military empire (was way to short) but because of the intellectual influence they have had until today.

EDIT and where's the poll? /EDIT

 

[Aceshigh]

The United States is the most powerful.

The Mongols were a fearsome fighting force, and their swift conquering of such large amounts of land were impressive. But they were excellent soldiers and below average administrators. It has been said that as their armies took an area and moved on, almost no Mongols were left to administrate or occupy the conquered territory.

 

[everman]

I first thought Galactic Empire, oh well.

I would have to say the Chinese in the point in history when they were sending out huge fleets of ships to explore. They had ships that could just run over anything else in the world and deliver a huge army anywhere. They were really amazing, but screwed up by scraping the whole navy idea. never made it to Europe.