Last ancient empire

The Byzantines were the last ancient empire, the sole continuation of the ancient world rather than the transformation of the ancient world as was the case elsewhere. Though Byzantium did, of course, transform into a medieval state, yet with a pecular set of ancient world features continued.

The Ottomans were a state that seemingally came up from no-where. They and the Seljucks were the first Turkic states in Turkey. The Ottomans really began with their capital at Erdine in around the 1300s. They did not have that many links to any other ancient empires and before they were simply Nomadic peoples and tribes from central Asia. An ancient empire seems to me to be an empire that has a direct continuation (As Constantine XI said) with Prior empires and has carried through a culture.

China, i think it is possible to call them an ancient empire as they transgressed and picked up pieces of drior dynasties, but with the huge amount of Migration and invasion that has taken place, it's hard to say. Japan probablly more so, but when nice Mr.Perry came in with his warships and ended their isolation (Before this, Japan was so isolated that i believe that it was an ancient empire) the change was so great, and again after WWII when the Japanese were Westernized more, probably not- but i'm not sure and i do not know that much about Japanese history.

How about the Ethiopian Empire as the prime example for an ancient Empire surviving till the modern age, thus being the last. 

Edited by Komnenos - 21-Jul-2006 at 04:02

The Ottomans do indeed have a long Heritage, but they were not in Turkey until the 1100s- before that they were simply Nomads. They may have founded an empire, but neither they nor their empire has any links with the ancient world.

It depends of your Definition of "Classic"

Ottoman Empire was a feudal medieval empire. I don't see how it can be considered as ancient or classic.

Originally posted by xi_tujue Mabey my question was not that clear. Well I wrote it wrong. � what I ment was the ottomans are the last classic empire. � without collonies just oldfashion addding land to your own. without technology(like I don't know you need to have technologie at some point but you know before the gun was invented the wars didn't change for over 3000 years yeah de blades were sharper arrows quicker armour better but you get the point) the ottomans lost the war to nationalism � how did the modern empires deal w<ith that problem like france in north-afrika, britain in India pakistan etc russia in central asia and east european countries don't forget the dutch in indonesia

How was the British empire different from the Ottoman? Both were driven by interests to conquer and gain wealth. Both hands were constantly bloody. And Britain, thanks to the two cold war rivals, lost most of its areas through nationlism too. The ottoman empire were heavy user of cannon and firearms for a long period of there existance. Maybe more then half. I'd never say they were ancient.

"How was the British empire different from the Ottoman? Both were driven by interests to conquer and gain wealth. Both hands were constantly bloody. And Britain, thanks to the two cold war rivals, lost most of its areas through nationlism too. The ottoman empire were heavy user of cannon and firearms for a long period of there existance. Maybe more then half. I'd never say they were ancient. "