Biggest Empires

The American empire is the bigest ever in human history by far,so big that the challenges  to its power are limited to regional,rather then state or cultural challenges.Amazing

Rome - In terms of historical significance, legacy and length of time.

Interesting Heroi, but can you be more specific on how it was the biggest in human history?

Thanks

Originally posted by Mixcoatl Originally posted by Kalevipoeg Mongols still kick British ass anywho!!!!!!!!!!!�A united land empire is something else than hundreds of colonies around the world. On the other hand, if you add the amount of sea controlled by the Brits they kick more ass than the Mongols .

Yeah but the question was placed in the time frame before the invention of the hand held gun, so this disqualifies the British.

Originally posted by oracle Originally posted by Illirac They had guns....hahaha....so what?....the mongols had horse archer(and europe didn't used them) so they can not be counted?....come on...the British empire controled the most territories then any other empire(it's not important if they fought rabble armies with spears)....   You can't compare like this. The british could win so easily with their guns. The Mongols had to face with army which were equiped similarly or more equiped and won battles tactically and with thier strategy.   and the british  lose a humiliating defeat at the Battle of Isandlwana    the mongol empire came from nothing and the uncivilized mongol tribes succeeded to build the largest contignous empire ever.

In the 19th century, guns used by the average infantryman in the British Army were not automatic, meaning that you had to reload regularly, and it was a rather slow process. (Though not comparable to say 16th century guns). Even if you have a few thousand gunners, and they fire a volley against 20,000 or so Zulus, not all the Zulus will die. Most will remain and overrun the British by sheer volume. Incidently, just because someone has a gun, he can take out 25 other guys, while reloading a few times in between.
In addition to this, many say "The Zulus didn't have any metal weapons". Firstly, many may have. Secondly, it can still easily kill you if you are whacked over the head with a sharp rock or hit in the face with a spear.

You gave one example of a British defeat, and characterised this as the norm. Also, implying that the British did not use strategy or tactics is quite a distance from the truth.

Yes the Mongols carved out the largest empire before Modern times, and yes they did it with amazing ferocity, excellent tactics and superior strategy - I respect them for this. Truly, they were a monumental empire, and they did "come from nothing". But the British Empire too came from nothing - it hasn't just "always existed". Every empire has a beginning.

Regards,
- Knights -

Originally posted by Pretcov Originally posted by baks And what about with Mayan Empire? )   The largest pre columbian Empires in the America's would be a interesting topic.

Originally posted by Ikki Originally posted by Pretcov Originally posted by baks And what about with Mayan Empire? ) � The largest pre columbian Empires in the America's would be a interesting topic. � � � � � � The mayas didn't build an empire�wich included all the mayans but only city states with differents zone of influence, many could be clasified as regional powers. � The mayor empire of precolumbian�Am�rica was the Inca empire in terms of extension, complexity, organization�and power of the state, in terms of population probably the aztec empire.

If the Spanish did not arrive, the Inca woulda beaten the aztecs hands down! Then they woulda taken care of the plains Indians, then Iriqouis federation, then Japan! If you think about it, in a world without guns the Inca woulda been the major world power

Originally posted by Ponce de Leon .... If the Spanish did not arrive, the Inca woulda beaten the aztecs hands down! Then they woulda taken care of the plains Indians, then Iriqouis federation, then Japan! If you think about it, in a world without guns the Inca woulda been the major world power

The biggest family of Empires were made by East Asians and its relatives (read Turks, Mongols and Amerindians)... Between them there is almost a monopoly in civilizations around the world...

Edited by pinguin - 25-Sep-2007 at 18:36

Originally posted by Illirac i do not understend why you can not accept thet the British empire was the biggest? ...exactly in "the biggest empire" you refer to land controlled, culturally or tehnologicaly advanced?