Expert: Mark Smith - 2/11/2009

Question
QUESTION: 1. Is the British Empire the most powerful empire and should take the top spot?

2. What are the major world empires:

Egypt
Assyrian
Achaemenid Empire
Macedonia Empire
Roman Empire
Tang China
Song China
Ming China
British Empire
Mughal
Mongol
Hun
Venetian
Ottomon
French
Spanish
Russian
Arabian

Am I missing any other major empires?


ANSWER: Hello Henry.
Most definately. The British Empire was the largest the world has ever known, it's influence was felt all over the globe.
Other European countries that built overseas empires on a lesser scale were, in addition to those you've already mentioned :
Portugal, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Denmark and Norway.
Mark

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: 1. Can you give me a full list of major world empires?

ANSWER: I don't know much about the ancient empires, it seems to me that any pre-Christian civilization has been called an empire.
In addition to those mentioned above I'd add the Aztec and the Inca in central/south America.
Mark

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Of these, the most powerful empires are?

Answer
All were regional powers, but in terms of global influence the British, French and Spanish were the leaders, but at different times; the Spanish was eclipsed by the French which in turn lost out to the British.
The Mongol empire was a great military power that threatened to overrun Europe in the 13th century.