What is considered an Empire?

An empire is an unequal relationship between a core state and a periphery of one or more states controlled from the core. On the simplest level, control means military occupation or other formal political intervention, but it can also cover informal economic or cultural influence.

At its heart, an empire is ruled by an emperor, even though many states in history without an emperor at their head are called "empires". For example the sovereign of the British Empire was a king or queen, not an emperor or empress.

Empire Timeline

Definition

An empire is a political construct in which one state dominates over another state, or a series of states. At its heart, an empire is ruled by an emperor, even though many states in history without an emperor at their head are called "empires".

More about: Empire

Timeline

2500 BCE
First Dynasty of Lagash under King Eannutum is first empire in Mesopotamia.
2334 BCE - 2279 BCE
Sargon of Akkad (the Great) reigns over Mesopotamia and thus creates the world's first empire.
1504 BCE - 1492 BCE
Egyptian empire reaches greatest extent under Thutmose I.
1500 BCE
Egyptian empire extends to the Euphrates.
1350 BCE - 1250 BCE
The Hittite Empire is at its peak.
1285 BCE
Peak of Hittite power.
188 BCE
Maximum extent of the Pergamon Empire after Apamea peace.
12 Jul 100 BCE - 15 Mar 44 BCE
Life of Gaius Julius Caesar, founder of the Roman Empire.
31 BCE
Greece absorbed into Roman Empire.
60 CE - 61 CE
Boudicca's Revolt in Britain.
83 CE
Battle of Mons Graupius in Scotland.
200 CE - 1000 CE
Tiwanaku Empire flourishes based around Lake Titicaca.
c. 500 CE - 1240 CE
The Ghana Empire dominates West Africa.
802 CE - 1431 CE
Khmer Empire in South East Asia.
c. 1425 CE - 1532 CE
The Inca Empire flourishes in South America.