Empire
|
Origin
|
Capital
|
From
|
To
|
Duration
|
Note
|
Achaemenid Empire
|
Persia
|
Various, including Pasargadae, Ecbatana, Persepolis, Susa, Babylon
|
0000727380518-01-01-0000550 BC
|
0000727380298-01-01-0000330 BC
|
220
|
The first Persian Empire, and the largest one in Classical Antiquity, founded by Cyrus the Great.
|
Afsharid Dynasty
|
Persia
|
Mashhad
|
000000001736-01-01-00001736
|
000000001796-01-01-00001796
|
60
|
|
Akkadian Empire
|
Sumer
|
Akkad
|
0000727382268-01-01-00002300 BC
|
0000727382168-01-01-00002200 BC
|
100
|
|
Aksumite Empire
|
Ethiopia
|
Axum
|
000000000150-01-01-0000150
|
000000000940-01-01-0000940
|
790
|
Succeeded by the Ethiopian Empire.
|
Almohad Dynasty
|
Morocco
|
Marrakech, Seville
|
000000001121-01-01-00001121
|
000000001269-01-01-00001269
|
148
|
|
Almoravid Dynasty
|
Morocco
|
Aghmat (1040–1062), Marrakech (1062–1147)
|
000000001040-01-01-00001040
|
000000001147-01-01-00001147
|
107
|
|
Angevin Empire
|
England, France
|
No official capital. Court was generally held at Angers and Chinon
|
000000001154-01-01-00001154
|
000000001242-01-01-00001242
|
88
|
|
Armenian Empire
|
Armenia
|
Tigranakert
|
0000727380158-01-01-0000190 BC
|
000000000428-01-01-0000428
|
618
|
Tigranes the Great took the title king of kings.
|
Ashanti Empire
|
West Africa
|
Kumasi
|
000000001670-01-01-00001670
|
000000001902-01-01-00001902
|
232
|
|
Austrian Empire
|
Austria
|
Vienna
|
000000001804-01-01-00001804
|
000000001867-01-01-00001867
|
63
|
Preceded by the Holy Roman Empire.
|
Austro-Hungarian Empire
|
Austria, Hungary
|
Vienna, Budapest
|
000000001867-01-01-00001867
|
000000001918-01-01-00001918
|
51
|
Preceded by the Austrian Empire.
|
Ayyubid Dynasty
|
Middle East
|
Cairo, Damascus, Hama
|
000000001171-01-01-00001171
|
000000001341-01-01-00001341
|
170
|
Founded by Saladin, See also List of Muslim empires and dynasties.
|
Aztec Empire
|
Mesoamerica
|
Tenochtitlan
|
000000001428-01-01-00001428
|
000000001521-01-01-00001521
|
93
|
The capital of Mexico, Mexico City, is built on the ruins of Tenochtitlan.
|
Babylonian Empire
|
Mesopotamia
|
Babylon
|
0000727381868-01-01-00001900 BC
|
0000727381568-01-01-00001600 BC
|
300
|
See also Neo-Babylonian Empire.
|
Balhae
|
Northern part of Korean Peninsula, Manchuria
|
Sanggyeong
|
000000000698-01-01-0000698
|
000000000926-01-01-0000926
|
228
|
Successor of the Goguryeo.
|
Belgian Colonial Empire
|
Belgium
|
Brussels
|
000000001901-01-01-00001901
|
000000001962-01-01-00001962
|
61
|
Overseas possessions were referred to as "the colonies" rather than an empire.
|
Benin Empire
|
Nigeria
|
Benin City
|
000000001440-01-01-00001440
|
000000001897-01-01-00001897
|
457
|
|
Bornu Empire
|
Nigeria
|
Ngazargamu
|
000000001387-01-01-00001387
|
000000001893-01-01-00001893
|
506
|
The continuation of the Kanem Empire.
|
Empire of Brazil
|
Brazil
|
Rio de Janeiro
|
000000001822-01-01-00001822
|
000000001889-01-01-00001889
|
67
|
Established after Pedro I of Brazil declared the independence of Brazil from Portugal.
|
Britannic Empire
|
Britain
|
Londinium
|
000000000286-01-01-0000286
|
000000000296-01-01-0000296
|
10
|
Was a break-away state of the Roman Empire. See also Carausian Revolt.
|
British Empire
|
Britain
|
London
|
000000001603-01-01-00001603
|
000000001997-01-01-00001997
|
394
|
The largest Empire in world history. Today it is known as the British Commonwealth.
|
British Raj
|
Indian Subcontinent
|
Calcutta (1858–1912), New Delhi (1912–1947)
|
000000001858-01-01-00001858
|
000000001947-01-01-00001947
|
89
|
Governed by the Crown and part of the British Empire. Queen Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India in 1876.
|
Bruneian Empire
|
Borneo
|
Not specified, possibly Kota Batu
|
000000000600-01-01-0000600
|
000000001888-01-01-00001888
|
1288
|
Lasted until it became a British protectorate in 1888.
|
First Bulgarian Empire
|
Balkans
|
Pliska (680–893), Preslav (893–972), Skopie (972–992), Ohrid (992–1018)
|
000000000680-01-01-0000680
|
000000001018-01-01-00001018
|
338
|
Founded by Khan Asparukh. Under Tsar Simeon I became the first powerful Slavic Empire. Falls to the Byzantine Empire under Emperor Basil II.
|
Second Bulgarian Empire
|
Balkans
|
Tarnovo
|
000000001185-01-01-00001185
|
000000001422-01-01-00001422
|
237
|
Successor of the First Bulgarian Empire. Under the Tsars Kaloyan and Ivan Asen II became the most powerful state in the Balkans.
|
Buyid Dynasty
|
Persia
|
Shiraz
|
000000000934-01-01-0000934
|
000000001055-01-01-00001055
|
121
|
|
Byzantine Empire
|
Eastern Roman Empire (Greece, Anatolia, Africa, Palestine, Syria, Italy)
|
Constantinople
|
000000000330-01-01-0000330
|
000000001453-01-01-00001453
|
1123
|
Term conventionally used since the 19th century to describe the Greek-speaking Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.
|
Caliphate of Córdoba
|
Iberian Peninsula
|
Córdoba
|
000000000756-01-01-0000756
|
000000001031-01-01-00001031
|
275
|
See also Islamic Empire.
|
Carthaginian Empire
|
North Africa
|
Carthage
|
0000727380618-01-01-0000650 BC
|
0000727380114-01-01-0000146 BC
|
504
|
|
Chagatai Khanate
|
Transoxania
|
Almaliq, Qarshi
|
000000001225-01-01-00001225
|
000000001687-01-01-00001687
|
462
|
Division of the Mongol Empire.
|
Chalukya Dynasty
|
India
|
Badami
|
000000000543-01-01-0000543
|
000000000753-01-01-0000753
|
210
|
|
Chera Dynasty
|
Southern India
|
Vanchi Muthur
|
0000727380268-01-01-0000300 BC
|
000000000300-01-01-0000300
|
600
|
A Tamil Empire.
|
Chola Dynasty
|
Southern India
|
Various, including Poompuhar, Urayur, Pazhaiyaarai, Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram
|
0000727380318-01-01-0000350 BC
|
000000001279-01-01-00001279
|
1629
|
A Tamil Empire.
|
Danish colonial empire
|
Denmark
|
Copenhagen
|
000000001350-01-01-00001350
|
000000001953-01-01-00001953
|
600
|
See also List of former Danish colonies.
|
Delhi Sultanate
|
Indian Subcontinent
|
Delhi
|
000000001206-01-01-00001206
|
000000001527-01-01-00001527
|
321
|
|
Durrani Empire
|
Afghanistan
|
Kandahar, Kabul
|
000000001747-01-01-00001747
|
000000001823-01-01-00001823
|
76
|
|
Dutch Empire
|
Netherlands
|
Amsterdam
|
000000001568-01-01-00001568
|
000000001975-01-01-00001975
|
407
|
See also Dutch East India Company and Dutch West India Company.
|
Egyptian Empire
|
Egypt
|
Various, including Thebes, Akhetaten, Pi-Ramesses, Memphis
|
0000727381538-01-01-00001570 BC
|
0000727381038-01-01-00001070 BC
|
500
|
See also 18th Dynasty, 19th Dynasty & 20th Dynasty.
|
Ethiopian Empire
|
Ethiopia
|
Addis Ababa
|
000000001137-01-01-00001137
|
000000001974-01-01-00001974
|
837
|
|
Fatimid Caliphate
|
Egypt
|
Mahdia (909–969), Cairo (969–1171)
|
000000000909-01-01-0000909
|
000000001171-01-01-00001171
|
262
|
See also Islamic Empire.
|
Second French Empire
|
France
|
Paris
|
000000001852-01-01-00001852
|
000000001870-01-01-00001870
|
18
|
|
French colonial empires
|
France
|
Paris
|
000000001534-01-01-00001534
|
000000001980-01-01-00001980
|
446
|
End of Empire was formally recognized with the end of French presence in condominium of Vanuatu (see New Hebrides).
|
Frankish Empire
|
Western Europe
|
Various, including Soissons, Paris, Reims, Orléans, Metz & Aachen
|
000000000250-01-01-0000250
|
000000000950-01-01-0000950
|
700
|
|
Gallic Empire
|
Rhineland-Palatinate
|
Colonia Agrippina
|
000000000260-01-01-0000260
|
000000000274-01-01-0000274
|
14
|
Broke off from the Roman Empire during the Crisis of the Third Century.
|
German Empire
|
Germany
|
Berlin
|
000000001871-01-01-00001871
|
000000001918-01-01-00001918
|
47
|
See also German Colonial Empire.
|
Ghana Empire
|
Mauritania, and Western Mali
|
Koumbi Saleh
|
000000000790-01-01-0000790
|
000000001240-01-01-00001240
|
450
|
The Empire became known in Europe and Arabia as the "Ghana Empire" by the title of its ruler (meaning "Warrior King").
|
Ghaznavid Dynasty
|
Afghanistan
|
Ghazni later Lahore
|
000000000963-01-01-0000963
|
000000001187-01-01-00001187
|
224
|
|
Ghurid Dynasty
|
Afghanistan
|
Firuzkuh
|
000000001148-01-01-00001148
|
000000001215-01-01-00001215
|
67
|
|
Goguryeo
|
Northern part of Korean Peninsula, Manchuria
|
Jolbon, Gungnae City, Pyongyang
|
0000727380005-01-01-000037 BC
|
000000000668-01-01-0000668
|
705
|
Predecessor of the Balhae.
|
Goryeo
|
Korean Peninsula
|
Gaegyeong, Ganghwa
|
000000000918-01-01-0000918
|
000000001392-01-01-00001392
|
474
|
unification of the Korean Peninsula. State had maintain as empire between 918 and 1274.
|
Gorkha Empire
|
Greater Nepal
|
|
000000001600-01-01-00001600
|
000000001850-01-01-00001850
|
474
|
unification of Greater Nepal. State had maintain as empire between 1600 and 1840.
|
Göktürk Khaganate
|
Inner Asia
|
Ötüken
|
000000000552-01-01-0000552
|
000000000747-01-01-0000747
|
195
|
552–603 First empire, 603–658 Double empire, 658–681 Dark age, 681–747 Second empire.
|
Golden Horde
|
Central Asia
|
Sarai Batu
|
000000001240-01-01-00001240
|
000000001502-01-01-00001502
|
260
|
Break-away state of the Mongol Empire.
|
Empire of Great Fulo
|
Senegal
|
Tekrur
|
000000001514-01-01-00001514
|
000000001776-01-01-00001776
|
262
|
|
Great Moravian Empire
|
Central Europe
|
Mikulčice-Valy
|
000000000833-01-01-0000833
|
000000000900-01-01-0000900
|
67
|
The word "Moravia" did not refer only to present-day Moravia.
|
Great Seljuq Empire
|
Aral Sea, Asia Minor, Persia
|
Nishapur and later on Rey
|
000000001037-01-01-00001037
|
000000001194-01-01-00001194
|
157
|
Turkish empire, Predecessor of the Sultanate of Rum.
|
Gurjara-Pratihara
|
Indian Subcontinent
|
Kannauj
|
000000000600-01-01-0000600
|
000000001136-01-01-00001136
|
660
|
.founded by great king of Gujjars
|
Han Dynasty
|
China
|
Chang'an, Luoyang, Xuchang
|
0000727380174-01-01-0000206 BC
|
000000000220-01-01-0000220
|
426
|
|
Empire of Harsha
|
Northern India
|
Kannauj
|
000000000606-01-01-0000606
|
000000000647-01-01-0000647
|
41
|
Founded by Harshavardhana, collapsed after his death.
|
Hephthalite Empire
|
Afghanistan
|
Kabul
|
000000000420-01-01-0000420
|
000000000567-01-01-0000567
|
147
|
|
Hittite Empire
|
Anatolia
|
Hattusa
|
0000727381428-01-01-00001460 BC
|
0000727381148-01-01-00001180 BC
|
280
|
See also Neo-Hittite.
|
Holy Roman Empire
|
Central Europe
|
no capital city
|
000000000962-01-01-0000962
|
000000001806-01-01-00001806
|
844
|
Officially known as the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation from 1512 on.
|
Hotaki Dynasty
|
Afghanistan
|
Isfahan
|
000000001709-01-01-00001709
|
000000001738-01-01-00001738
|
29
|
|
Hoysala Empire
|
India
|
Belur, Halebidu
|
000000001026-01-01-00001026
|
000000001343-01-01-00001343
|
317
|
|
Hunnic Empire
|
Eurasia
|
Not specified
|
000000000370-01-01-0000370
|
000000000469-01-01-0000469
|
99
|
|
Ilkhanate
|
Persia
|
Maragheh, Tabriz, Soltaniyeh
|
000000001256-01-01-00001256
|
000000001335-01-01-00001335
|
79
|
Division of the Mongol Empire.
|
Imperial State of Iran
|
Persia
|
Tehran
|
000000001925-01-01-00001925
|
000000001979-01-01-00001979
|
54
|
Was the last Imperial dynasty of Iran.
|
Inca Empire (Tawantinsuyo)
|
Andes (Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, parts of Chile, Argentina and Colombia)
|
Cusco
|
000000001438-01-01-00001438
|
000000001533-01-01-00001533
|
95
|
The largest empire in pre-Columbian America.
|
Italian Colonial Empire
|
Italy
|
Rome
|
000000001885-01-01-00001885
|
000000001943-01-01-00001943
|
58
|
See also Imperial Italy (fascist).
|
Empire of Japan
|
Japan
|
Tokyo
|
000000001868-01-01-00001868
|
000000001947-01-01-00001947
|
79
|
Emperor's government took control of the country in 1868. Regional hegemony in East Asia ended in 1945. The new constitution of 1947 formally abolished the empire.[1]
|
Jin Dynasty (265–420)
|
China
|
Luoyang (265–311), Chang'an (312–316), Jiankang (317–420)
|
000000000265-01-01-0000265
|
000000000420-01-01-0000420
|
155
|
Subdivided into two dynasties. Western Jìn Dynasty, (265–316) Eastern Jìn Dynasty (317–420).
|
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
|
Northern China, Manchuria
|
Huining, Zhongdu, Kaifeng
|
000000001115-01-01-00001115
|
000000001234-01-01-00001234
|
119
|
Also known as the Jurchens, were the ancestors of the Manchus who established the Qing Dynasty.
|
Kanem Empire
|
Chad
|
Njimi
|
000000000700-01-01-0000700
|
000000001387-01-01-00001387
|
687
|
|
Kara-Khanid Khanate
|
Turkistan
|
Kashgar
|
000000000840-01-01-0000840
|
000000001212-01-01-00001212
|
372
|
First Turkic dynasty to embrace Islam.
|
Khazar Khaganate
|
Pontic steppe, North Caucasus
|
Balanjar, later Atil
|
000000000700-01-01-0000700
|
000000001000-01-01-00001000
|
300
|
Founded by Western Turks, the members of the royal family embraced Judaism.
|
Khmer Empire
|
Cambodia
|
Hariharalaya (802–889), Angkor (889–1431)
|
000000000802-01-01-0000802
|
000000001431-01-01-00001431
|
629
|
Succeeded from the kingdom of Chenla.
|
Khilji Dynasty
|
Afghanistan
|
Kabul, Delhi
|
000000001290-01-01-00001290
|
000000001320-01-01-00001320
|
30
|
|
Khwarezmid Dynasty
|
Persia
|
Urgench
|
000000001077-01-01-00001077
|
000000001221-01-01-00001221
|
144
|
|
Korean Empire
|
Korean Peninsula
|
Hanseong
|
000000001897-01-01-00001897
|
000000001910-01-01-00001910
|
13
|
Was the last ruling Korean dynasties.
|
Kushan Empire
|
Afghanistan
|
Various, including Mathura, Peshawar, Begram, Taxila
|
000000000030-01-01-000030
|
000000000345-01-01-0000345
|
315
|
|
Kushite Empire
|
Egypt, Nubia
|
Not specified
|
0000727380728-01-01-0000760 BC
|
0000727380624-01-01-0000656 BC
|
104
|
|
Latin Empire
|
Thrace, Asia Minor
|
Constantinople
|
000000001204-01-01-00001204
|
000000001261-01-01-00001261
|
57
|
See also Latinokratia.
|
Later Lê dynasty
|
Vietnam
|
Thang Long,Hanoi
|
000000001428-01-01-00001428
|
000000001789-01-01-00001789
|
361
|
|
Liao Dynasty
|
China
|
Shangjing
|
000000000915-01-01-0000915
|
000000001125-01-01-00001125
|
210
|
|
Lodi Sultanate
|
Afghanistan
|
Delhi
|
000000001451-01-01-00001451
|
000000001526-01-01-00001526
|
75
|
|
Macedonian Empire
|
Macedonian Kingdom
|
Pella
|
0000727380302-01-01-0000334 BC
|
0000727380291-01-01-0000323 BC
|
11
|
Founded by Alexander the Great.
|
Majapahit Empire
|
Malay Archipelago
|
Majapahit, Wilwatikta
|
000000001293-01-01-00001293
|
000000001527-01-01-00001527
|
234
|
|
Mali Empire
|
West Africa
|
Niani, later Ka-ba
|
000000001235-01-01-00001235
|
000000001610-01-01-00001610
|
375
|
A Mandinka empire founded by Sundiata Keita.
|
Mamluk Sultanate
|
Egypt, Syria
|
Cairo
|
000000001250-01-01-00001250
|
000000001517-01-01-00001517
|
267
|
See also Islamic Empire.
|
Manchukuo
|
Manchuria
|
Hsinking
|
000000001932-01-01-00001932
|
000000001945-01-01-00001945
|
13
|
Created as a Puppet state of the Japanese Empire, with Emperor Puyi (the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty) installed as nominal regent and emperor.
|
Maratha Empire
|
Indian Subcontinent
|
Raigad, later Pune
|
000000001674-01-01-00001674
|
000000001818-01-01-00001818
|
144
|
Founded by Shivaji Maharaj, also known as the Maratha Confederacy.
|
Mauryan Empire
|
Ancient India
|
Pataliputra
|
0000727380289-01-01-0000321 BC
|
0000727380153-01-01-0000185 BC
|
136
|
Founded by Chandragupta Maurya. Ashoka the Great transformed it into the first Buddhist empire.
|
Median Empire
|
Persia
|
Ecbatana
|
0000727380593-01-01-0000625 BC
|
0000727380517-01-01-0000549 BC
|
76
|
First Persian Empire, Founded by Deioces.
|
First Mexican Empire
|
Mexico
|
Mexico City
|
000000001821-01-01-00001821
|
000000001823-01-01-00001823
|
2
|
Preceded the Second Mexican Empire which was short lived (1864–1867). See also Mexican Imperial Orders.
|
Second Mexican Empire
|
Mexico
|
Mexico City
|
000000001864-01-01-00001864
|
000000001867-01-01-00001867
|
3
|
Succeeded the First Mexican Empire which was short lived (1821–1823). See also Mexican Imperial Orders.
|
Ming Dynasty
|
China
|
Nanjing (1368–1421), Beijing (1421–1644)
|
000000001368-01-01-00001368
|
000000001644-01-01-00001644
|
276
|
|
Mongol Empire
|
Mongolia
|
Karakorum
|
000000001206-01-01-00001206
|
000000001368-01-01-00001368
|
162
|
Split into four empires (Yuan Dynasty, Ilkhanate, Chagatai Khanate and Golden Horde).
|
Mughal Empire
|
India
|
Agra, Delhi
|
000000001526-01-01-00001526
|
000000001858-01-01-00001858
|
332
|
Founded by Babur. "Mughal" is a Persian word for the Mongols.
|
Nanda Empire
|
Indian Subcontinent
|
Pataliputra
|
0000727380418-01-01-0000450 BC
|
0000727380318-01-01-0000350 BC
|
100
|
Dravidian Empire.
|
Neo-Assyrian Empire
|
Mesopotamia
|
Assur, later Nineveh
|
0000727380902-01-01-0000934 BC
|
0000727380577-01-01-0000609 BC
|
325
|
See also Assyrian Empire.
|
Neo-Babylonian Empire
|
Mesopotamia
|
Babylon
|
0000727380594-01-01-0000626 BC
|
0000727380507-01-01-0000539 BC
|
87
|
See also Babylonian Empire.
|
Nguyễn Dynasty
|
Vietnam
|
Phú Xuân
|
000000001802-01-01-00001802
|
000000001945-01-01-00001945
|
143
|
Was the last ruling Vietnamese Dynasty.
|
Empire of Nicaea
|
Bithynia
|
Nicaea
|
000000001204-01-01-00001204
|
000000001261-01-01-00001261
|
57
|
Successor state of the Byzantine Empire.
|
Northern Yuan Dynasty
|
Mongolia
|
Shangdu, Yingchang, Karakorum
|
000000001368-01-01-00001368
|
000000001635-01-01-00001635
|
267
|
Created after the expulsion of the Yuan Dynasty from China in 1368.
|
Omani Empire
|
Oman
|
Muscat
|
000000001698-01-01-00001698
|
000000001958-01-01-00001958
|
260
|
See Oman.
|
Ottoman Empire
|
Anatolia
|
Söğüt, Bursa, Edirne, Constantinople
|
000000001299-01-01-00001299
|
000000001922-01-01-00001922
|
623
|
Predecessor of the Republic of Turkey.
|
Oyo Empire
|
Southwestern Nigeria
|
Oyo-Ile
|
000000001400-01-01-00001400
|
000000001905-01-01-00001905
|
505
|
|
Pala Empire
|
Bengal, East India
|
Pataliputra
|
000000000750-01-01-0000750
|
000000001174-01-01-00001174
|
424
|
|
Palmyrene Empire
|
Syria
|
Palmyra
|
000000000260-01-01-0000260
|
000000000273-01-01-0000273
|
13
|
Broke off from the Roman Empire during the Crisis of the Third Century.
|
Pandyan Empire
|
Southern India
|
Madurai . Also Tirunelveli , Korkai for few years
|
0000727380468-01-01-0000500 BC
|
000000001350-01-01-00001350
|
1850
|
A Tamil Empire. Considered by contemporary historians as being the richest country in the world.
|
Parthian Empire
|
Persia
|
Various, including Asaak, Hecatompylos, Ecbatana, Ctesiphon, Nisa
|
0000727380215-01-01-0000247 BC
|
000000000224-01-01-0000224
|
471
|
-
|
Pontic Empire
|
Pontus
|
Amaseia, Sinope
|
0000727380088-01-01-0000120 BC
|
0000727380015-01-01-000047 BC
|
73
|
Mithridates VI had the title: King of Kings.
|
Portuguese Empire
|
Portugal
|
Lisbon, Rio de Janeiro (1815–1821)
|
000000001415-01-01-00001415
|
000000001999-01-01-00001999
|
584
|
Was the earliest and longest lived of the colonial Western European empires. See also United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves.
|
Ptolemaic Empire
|
Egypt
|
Alexandria
|
0000727380273-01-01-0000305 BC
|
0000727379998-01-01-000030 BC
|
275
|
See also Diadochi.
|
Qajar Dynasty
|
Persia
|
Tehran
|
000000001794-01-01-00001794
|
000000001925-01-01-00001925
|
131
|
|
Qin Dynasty
|
China
|
Xianyang
|
0000727380189-01-01-0000221 BC
|
0000727380174-01-01-0000206 BC
|
15
|
First dynasty of the Imperial Period.
|
Qing Dynasty
|
China
|
Shenyang, Beijing
|
000000001644-01-01-00001644
|
000000001912-01-01-00001912
|
268
|
Last dynasty of the Imperial Period.
|
Rashidun Caliphate
|
Saudi Arabia
|
Medina, Kufa
|
000000000632-01-01-0000632
|
000000000661-01-01-0000661
|
29
|
Predecessor of the Umayyad Caliphate, See also Islamic Empire.
|
Rashtrakuta Dynasty
|
India
|
Manyakheta
|
000000000753-01-01-0000753
|
000000000982-01-01-0000982
|
229
|
|
Roman Empire
|
Italy
|
Rome
|
0000727379995-01-01-000027 BC
|
000000000476-01-01-0000476
|
503
|
|
Rouran Khaganate
|
Inner China
|
Not specified
|
000000000330-01-01-0000330
|
000000000555-01-01-0000555
|
225
|
|
Russian Empire (Romanov)
|
Russia
|
Saint Petersburg
|
000000001721-01-01-00001721
|
000000001917-01-01-00001917
|
196
|
Successor state of the Tsardom of Russia.
|
Safavid Dynasty
|
Persia
|
Tabriz, Qazvin, Esfahan
|
000000001501-01-01-00001501
|
000000001736-01-01-00001736
|
235
|
|
Saffarid Dynasty
|
Afghanistan
|
Zaranj
|
000000000867-01-01-0000867
|
000000001002-01-01-00001002
|
135
|
|
Sassanid Dynasty
|
Persia
|
Ctesiphon
|
000000000224-01-01-0000224
|
000000000651-01-01-0000651
|
427
|
Fourth Persian Empire.
|
Satavahana Dynasty
|
India
|
Amaravathi village, Guntur district Dharanikota
|
0000727380198-01-01-0000230 BC
|
000000000220-01-01-0000220
|
450
|
An Andhra Dynasty which preceded the Vengi Dynasty of Andhra.
|
Samanid Dynasty
|
Persia
|
Balkh, Bukhara
|
000000000819-01-01-0000819
|
000000000999-01-01-0000999
|
180
|
|
North Sea Empire
|
Denmark
|
Ribe
|
000000001016-01-01-00001016
|
000000001035-01-01-00001035
|
19
|
See also Viking expansion.
|
Seleucid Empire
|
Persia, Mesopotamia, Syria
|
Seleucia, Antioch
|
0000727380280-01-01-0000312 BC
|
0000727380031-01-01-000063 BC
|
249
|
See also Diadochi.
|
Serbian Empire
|
Serbia
|
Skopje, Prizren
|
000000001346-01-01-00001346
|
000000001371-01-01-00001371
|
25
|
Founded by Stephen Uroš IV (Dušan the Mighty), fell into feudal disarray after his death.
|
Shu Han
|
China
|
Chengdu
|
000000000221-01-01-0000221
|
000000000263-01-01-0000263
|
42
|
See also Three Kingdoms.
|
Siam Empire
|
Thailand
|
Bangkok
|
000000001782-01-01-00001782
|
000000001932-01-01-00001932
|
150
|
|
Sikh Empire
|
Punjab region, India
|
Amritsar
|
000000001733-01-01-00001733
|
000000001849-01-01-00001849
|
116
|
Preceded the British Empire in the Indian subcontinent.
|
Song Dynasty
|
China
|
Bianjing (960–1127), Lin'an (1127–1279)
|
000000000960-01-01-0000960
|
000000001279-01-01-00001279
|
319
|
|
Songhai Empire
|
West Africa
|
Gao
|
000000001340-01-01-00001340
|
000000001591-01-01-00001591
|
251
|
Former vassal of the Mali Empire which became one of the largest African empires in history.
|
Spanish Empire
|
Iberian Peninsula
|
Madrid
|
000000001402-01-01-00001402
|
000000001975-01-01-00001975
|
573
|
Was founded with the conquer of the Canary Islands. It was one of the first global empires.
|
Srivijaya Empire
|
Malay Archipelago
|
Palembang, Mataram
|
000000000683-01-01-0000683
|
000000001293-01-01-00001293
|
610
|
was a powerful ancient thalassocratic Malay empire based on the island of Sumatra, then based on Mataram (Medang Kingdom) under Sailendra's Dynasty
|
Sui Dynasty
|
China
|
Chang'an
|
000000000581-01-01-0000581
|
000000000618-01-01-0000618
|
37
|
|
Shunga Empire
|
Indian Subcontinent
|
Pataliputra, Vidisa
|
0000727380153-01-01-0000185 BC
|
0000727380041-01-01-000073 BC
|
112
|
Magadha dynasty that controlled North-central and Eastern India.
|
Swedish Empire
|
Scandinavia
|
Stockholm
|
000000001611-01-01-00001611
|
000000001718-01-01-00001718
|
107
|
See also Swedish overseas colonies.
|
Tahirid Dynasty
|
Persia
|
Nishapur
|
000000000821-01-01-0000821
|
000000000873-01-01-0000873
|
52
|
|
Tang Dynasty
|
China
|
Chang'an (618–904), Luoyang (904–907)
|
000000000618-01-01-0000618
|
000000000907-01-01-0000907
|
289
|
Founded By Li Yuan (aka. Emperor Gaozu of Tang).
|
Tay Son Dynasty
|
Vietnam
|
Phú Xuân
|
000000001778-01-01-00001778
|
000000001802-01-01-00001802
|
24
|
|
Empire of Thessalonica
|
Epirus, Kingdom of Thessalonica
|
Thessaloniki
|
000000001224-01-01-00001224
|
000000001246-01-01-00001246
|
42
|
Evolved from the Despotate of Epirus.
|
Third Reich
|
Germany
|
Berlin (1933–1945), Flensburg (1945)
|
000000001933-01-01-00001933
|
000000001945-01-01-00001945
|
12
|
Nazi Germany signed a treaty (Tripartite Pact) with the Japanese and Italian Empires.
|
Tibetan Empire
|
Tibet
|
Lhasa
|
000000000755-01-01-0000755
|
000000000870-01-01-0000870
|
115
|
|
Timurid Empire
|
Persia and Central Asia
|
Samarkand, Herat
|
000000001370-01-01-00001370
|
000000001526-01-01-00001526
|
156
|
Persianized form of the Mongolian word kürügän, Turko-Mongol Empire.
|
Tlemcen
|
Algeria
|
Tlemcen
|
000000001235-01-01-00001235
|
000000001556-01-01-00001556
|
321
|
Zayyanid dynasty
|
Empire of Trebizond
|
Pontus
|
Trebizond
|
000000001204-01-01-00001204
|
000000001461-01-01-00001461
|
257
|
Successor state of the Byzantine Empire.
|
Toltec Empire
|
Mesoamerica
|
Tollan-Xicocotitlan
|
000000000496-01-01-0000496
|
000000001122-01-01-00001122
|
626
|
|
Tu'i Tonga Empire
|
Tonga, Pacific Ocean
|
Mu'a
|
000000000450-01-01-0000450
|
000000001865-01-01-00001865
|
1415
|
See History of Tonga.
|
Turgesh Khaganate
|
Turkistan
|
Balasagun
|
000000000699-01-01-0000699
|
000000000766-01-01-0000766
|
67
|
Founded as a successor of West Turkish empire.
|
Umayyad Caliphate
|
Syria
|
Damascus, Córdoba (Capital-in-exile)
|
000000000661-01-01-0000661
|
000000000750-01-01-0000750
|
89
|
Successor of the Rashidun Caliphate, See also Islamic Empire.
|
Uyunid dynasty
|
Arabian
|
Al-Hasa, Qatif
|
000000001076-01-01-00001076
|
000000001253-01-01-00001253
|
163
|
The Uyunids, were a Sunni Arab dynasty that ruled Bahrain for 163 years, from the 11th to the 13th centuries.
|
Uyghur Khaganate
|
Central Asia
|
Ordubaliq
|
000000000742-01-01-0000742
|
000000000848-01-01-0000848
|
106
|
742–848 Founded as a successor of Göktürk Khaganate, 848–1036 Gansu state, 856–1209 Turfan state.
|
Vijayanagara Empire
|
South India
|
Vijayanagara
|
000000001336-01-01-00001336
|
000000001646-01-01-00001646
|
310
|
The founding of the original kingdom was based on the principality of Anegondi.
|
Wari Empire
|
Peru, Bolivia
|
Huari/Tiwanaku
|
000000000500-01-01-0000500
|
000000001100-01-01-00001100
|
600
|
It is a matter of conflict as to whether it was a real organized state that could be called an empire. If so, it would be considered the first empire in the Americas.
|
Wei Empire
|
China
|
Luoyang
|
000000000220-01-01-0000220
|
000000000265-01-01-0000265
|
45
|
See also Three Kingdoms.
|
Western Chalukya Empire
|
South India
|
Manyakheta, Basavakalyan
|
000000000973-01-01-0000973
|
000000001189-01-01-00001189
|
216
|
|
Western Roman Empire
|
Italy
|
Mediolanum, Ravenna
|
000000000395-01-01-0000395
|
000000000476-01-01-0000476
|
81
|
The western half of the Roman Empire.
|
Eastern Wu
|
China
|
Wuchang, Jianye
|
000000000229-01-01-0000229
|
000000000280-01-01-0000280
|
51
|
See also Three Kingdoms.
|
Western Xia Dynasty
|
China
|
Xingqing
|
000000001038-01-01-00001038
|
000000001227-01-01-00001227
|
189
|
Also called the Tangut Dynasty.
|
Xin Dynasty
|
China
|
Chang'an
|
000000000009-01-01-00009
|
000000000023-01-01-000023
|
14
|
The Xin Dynasty had only one ruling Emperor.
|
Yuan Dynasty
|
China, Mongolia
|
Dadu
|
000000001271-01-01-00001271
|
000000001368-01-01-00001368
|
97
|
Division of the Mongol Empire. The Yuan emperors had nominal supremacy over western khanates.
|
Zand Dynasty
|
Persia
|
Shiraz
|
000000001750-01-01-00001750
|
000000001794-01-01-00001794
|
44
|
|
Zulu Empire
|
South Africa
|
KwaBulawayo, Ulundi
|
000000001818-01-01-00001818
|
000000001897-01-01-00001897
|
79
|
|
These governments, confederations and other entities have sometimes been informally referred to as "empires". Some did not fit the modern definition of empire (e.g. the Delian League), some were self-proclaimed by their first and often last ruler, others were short-lived attempts to turn an existing government into an empire, and there are also instances of the word "empire" being used to refer to unofficial spheres of influence which do not consider themselves empires.