Empire is a word that indicates a State that is ruled by an emperor or empress.
It can also indicate a vast territory, made up of several nations, peoples who profess different religions, speak different languages, but who live under the same emperor.
The word empire was coined by Russian politician and theorist Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, known as Lenin. The author created the term in the form of critique and explanation of the expansion of capitalism in the context of World War I, when the British and German Empires came into violent hurdles.
the emperors of history
In addition to denoting a large territory, the word empire can also indicate the duration of the emperor's rule.
There are several examples of empires that were ruled by a supreme leader, who was often seen as a divine entity, a god, such as the Pharaohs in Egypt.
One of the characteristics of an empire was the desire to expand its territory and dominate others.
Some of the best known emperors were Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Suleiman the Magnificent, Charles V, Charlemagne and Napoleon Bonaparte.
biggest empires in the world
Some of the largest and most famous empires that have existed in human history were: the British, Russian, Portuguese, Mongolian, Inca, Roman, Byzantine Empire (successor to the Roman Empire).
inca empire: With approximately 2,000,000 km² in 1527, this empire was established in territories that currently occupy Peru, Chile, Bolivia and Ecuador.
Roman Empire: One of the most recognized empires for its expansion into territories such as Greece, Egypt, Macedonia, Palestine, Gaul, Syria and many other places. In 117 it reached a territory of 6.500.000 km².
Ottoman Empire: In the 17th century it reached 5,000,000 km² of territory in North Africa, Southeast Europe and the Middle East.
Portuguese empire: It reached its peak in 1815, with a territory of 10,450,000 km². Its expansion reached Africa, America, Asia and Oceania. Brazil corresponded to a high percentage of that territory.
Spanish Empire: In the 18th century it reached 20,000,000 km² in the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania.
British Empire: In 1920 the territory of this empire was 33,700,000 km² on the continents of Europe, Africa, Asia and America.
Persian Empire: Also known as the Achaemenid empire (the first Persian empire), in 500 BC. Ç. it had 8,000,000 km² in territories in Southwest Asia and North Africa.
Austro-Hungarian Empire: In 1914 it reached a territory of 676,615 km².
See too:
- Characteristics of the Roman Empire;
- Incas;
- Hellenism;
- Aztecs;
- Imperialism;
- Brazil's flag;
- tsar.
