In the Looking For A Book Recommendation thread created by Husker, the following recommendation is made: The Rise of Rome: The Making of the World's Greatest Empire, by Anthony Everitt.

This got me thinking: What was the world's greatest empire?

I found this list.

The Ottoman's seem a clear winner in terms of longevity but if influence was the primary criterion then I think it would be Rome. In terms of land mass, the world's greatest empire would be the British.

Any thoughts anyone?

Im not gonna criticize the list as the given criteria is so vague

Just so vague thats you can any thing can be taken in account. It seems as if their main criteria was simply geographic expansion

That is a problem. Because just because you are able to take a great deal of land does not in itself make an empire great unless that is the only criteria.

I like the idea of this thread. I think their are several really good GOAT discussions for this board.

I like the discussion they generate an I alway learn a few things as well..... Let the battle for the GOAT Empire begin............

I agree that how long an empire withstands the test of time is an important, if not the most important indicator for the greatest empire of all time.

The ottomans are beaten by like two centuries by the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation though, which therefore is the goat empire.

Not familiar enough with it but is that like those pop band line ups that change over the years?

You have the Eastern and Western Roman Empires and then the Holy Roman Empire of which Voltaire said, "neither holy, nor Roman, nor an empire".

The holy roman empire was anything but an empire; from the Investiture controversy where it lost the ability to appoint bishop and pretty much had at least 1/2 of its ''Governmental apparel'' assigned from Rome, it was always split between church and state; later between protestant church and catholic state. Add to that the constant scabbling between the german principalities and bishopric. From Henry IV, its downhill, all the time. I would even dare to say that it just went downhill from Otto's death, from centralized to decentralization over time.

I always refered to the holy roman empire as if the united states was actually 50 independant countries, but was willing to assign a leader in case of danger from canada or mexico. However most of the time they just attack each other.

I hate giving quotes from wiki, but for lack of written sources right now

Only one answer: the grandeur that was Rome

I think we need to discuss the criteria.

I think the legacy that the Empire leaves would also be significant for example institutions from Greece in the Roman Empire still have significant influence on us 2000 years later.

I'd say in order of least to most important: size, duration, conquests/rival empires, cultural achievements, institutional legacy.

I think people are approaching this the wrong way. What you need to do is to decide which of the empires you wish to be the greatest then design your criteria to fit. As I am British, its clear that the British empire is greatest, if anyone wants I can knock up some reasons. Americans might want to go with the current US 'empire'.

Edit: Oh and is the European union an empire?

Long live the mother Prussian empire, though clearly not the goat if even an empire. I'm a fan of history but not a buff.

India invented the number 0 and advanced themselves hundreds of years over all other civilizations on earth, on top of all else they did. Again, not sure if they qualify for any kind of empire like discussed or what one they were in.

Russian empire obv, survived all the major wars and still going strong (sort of)

No offense but the Russian empire is a terrible candidate for the GOAT.

The Russian Empire existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom system of Russia, and the predecessor of the Soviet Union. Sure it was the second largest contiguous empire in world history, surpassed only by the Mongol Empire, and the third largest empire behind the British Empire and the Mongol Empire. At one point in 1866, it stretched from eastern Europe, across Asia, and into North America.

Pure size it was massive. This is the only GOAT worthy quality as it only excels in one other area compare to others like the Han Dynasty, Rome, Greece, the Persian Empire, Byzantine Empire, British Empire, Mongol Empire. It survived with out being total wiped out of existence. If it wasn't for the Mongols completely running over the area centuries before it probably wouldn't even evolved in it's past form.

Sure it had it's moments including the ability to fend off hostile invaders but but pails in comparison to an empire like Rome and the legacy it left the world.

Most empires that came about in India had their hands full conquering the Indian subcontinent but territories as far away as Iran were subdued.

However, the Indian religions of Hinduism and Buddhism reached out to Mongolia, Japan and Cambodia. Indian cultural hegemony was far more impressive than Indian feat of arms.

Surely, the most important factor is the legacy left by an empire, when it comes to an end? It needs to make a big impact and for that impact to last when the occupation is over.

That opens up an argument for the British Empire. The impact of the spread of English as a dominant language will last for millennia.

^^ pretty much my exact thoughts when I read grip's post. And language is only a fraction of it.
Even not considering the legacy aspect, I'd probably still go with the British.

The Arabs had a pretty sweet empire. Large, long-lasting, and powerful in addition to being the most advanced center of learning in the world for centuries.

Ottoman's Empire certainly..

I hate 'em because of the Armenians. Great? Like sayin Nazi Germany was great. It was, sort of. With a great Minus. I hate the Romans for approximately the same reason. Colosseum tells a story.

Bad news brosef, there aren't really any empires that would be up for a nobel peace prize nomination.

Great in this context does not mean good.

The Achaemenid Persian Empire was pretty substantial. Conquered the entire ancient Near East, taught the Western world how to manage a functioning empire, practiced (relative) religious tolerance and disdained slavery, and at their peak may have held as much as 25% of the world's population within its borders. That is impressive by any stretch of the imagination. Probably more so if you extend the Persian Empire though Alexander (who ruled like a Persian much more than he did like a Greek), the Seleucids, the Parthians, and the Sasanids (the latter two of which effectively checked Roman power in the East and became the nexus through which China, India, and the Mediterranean were connected).

Well, that does account for fully half of the binary code.