Check out another 5 of the greatest empires that ever existed in history.

You may recall a story we posted here in Mega Curious about some of the greatest empires that ever existed - you can access it via this link - in which we talk a little bit about Ancient Macedonia, the Ottoman Empire, the Mongol the Archemenid and on the Umayyad Caliphate.

For, as we explained in the previous article, there were several great empires that have left their mark throughout history. So, continuing the theme, we selected another five - and a bonus at the end! - for you to check. See below:

1 - Portuguese Empire

It is impossible to speak of the Portuguese Empire without mentioning that it commanded one of the most powerful sea fleets the world has ever seen. With its weapons, naval superiority, and incredible ability to quickly establish ports for the sugar, gold and slave trade, the empire still had the manpower needed to dominate peoples and conquer new territories.

Considered as the first global empire in history - occupying the four continents at its height - as well as the longest of modern European colonial empires, its reign prevailed for nearly six centuries. The Portuguese Empire began with the conquest of Ceuta in North Africa in 1415, and the expansion continued as the Portuguese conquered parts of the African continent, India, Asia, and finally the Americas.

Its dissolution began after World War II, when the process of decolonization began in various parts of the world, and several European countries began to recognize the independence of their colonies.

However, the Portuguese Empire officially saw its end only after giving in to international pressure and suffering from the economic tension caused by the wars - and recognizing Macao's independence, which was only "returned" to China in 1999 and grant sovereignty to Timor-Leste in 2002. Brazil was undoubtedly its most valuable colony and, as you know, gained its independence in 1822.

2 - Spanish Empire

Covering an area of ​​over 19 million square kilometers - or the equivalent of over 13% of the entire continental area of ​​the planet - the Spanish Empire was “born” in 1492 with the travels of Christopher Columbus, and lasted until 1975, when finally granted its last colonies in America and Africa their independence.

The Spanish Empire was, together with the Portuguese, one of the first global empires in history, and has remained one of the most important economic and political powers in the world for centuries. At the height of its existence, it came to dominate territories and establish colonies in Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas, but began to lose strength when the French and British entered the competition for world domination.

His greatest contributions - or not, depending on his point of view - were the "discovery" of the New World and the spread of Christianity, factors that dramatically altered the world geopolitical dynamic and laid the foundation for the rise of modern Western civilization.

3 - Russian Empire

Russia was the last absolute monarchy in Europe, and before World War I, it was one of the five great powers of the continent. With a population of over 175 million people in 1913 - or nearly 10% of the world's population at the time - the Russian Empire was spread over 20 million square kilometers, accounting for more than 15% of the world's population. continental area of ​​the earth.

The Russian Empire was founded in 1721, when it succeeded the Russian Tsar, and was the second largest contiguous empire in the world - coming just after the Mongol Empire - occupying eastern European territories, passing through Asia and North America. Its collapse occurred as a result of the Russian Revolution in 1917, giving rise to the Soviet Union in 1922 which, in turn, was dissolved in 1991.

4 - British Empire

Established between the 16th and early 18th centuries, in its heyday, the British Empire covered nearly 34 million square kilometers - or nearly a quarter of the Earth's entire continental area - and in 1938 comprised more than 20% of the world's population (or over 500 million people).

In fact, thanks to his enormous dominance, which spread from east to west and from north to south of the planet - including Antarctica -, it was said that the sun never set in the British Empire, as the star was always shining in the air. least one of its many territories. The empire began through the establishment of colonies and trading points in various parts of the world and thereafter began to control protectorates, domains and mandates.

The beginning of the end came after World War I, due to the economic stress caused by the conflict, and the final dissolution came with the Japanese occupation of their territories during World War II, and the “loss” of India in 1947. The British It still retains the dominance of some territories, such as Gibraltar, and islands such as the Maldives, for example, but today the sun definitely sets in the Empire.

5 - French Colonial Empire

More than 12 million square kilometers long, in its heyday the French Colonial Empire came to occupy territories and establish colonies in Africa, the Americas, Oceania, and Asia, and during the 19th and 20th centuries, it was the second largest. empire of the planet, coming only after the British.

The French Empire lasted from 1534 to 1980, and its fall occurred just as it did with so many other empires, that is, after the loss of territories to other emerging nations - in this case, especially the British -, and the resulting economic pressure. participation in the two great world wars.

Still, the French continued to retain control of some parts of their territory - and they continue to this day - but basically the dissolution of the "Empire" came even after Algeria was granted independence in 1962 and Vanuatu in 1980. Its influence has made the French language one of the most widely spoken in the world for a period, as well as bringing its architecture, cuisine and culture to the four corners of the planet.

Bonus

Roman Empire

There were few stories that we here of Mega Curious posted about the Roman Empire. However, in light of the suggestions our readers made in the previous article, we decided to include a brief description of the power and legacy of this unique empire.

No empire that has existed in history has been as studied and researched as the Roman Empire. Dominating the Mediterranean and much of Europe, it was established in 27 BC and lasted until no less than 1453, meaning it existed for almost 1, 500 years! Its founding came when, after a period of great instability, the senators granted Octavian the title of Augustus - ending the Roman Republic.

The Roman Empire dominated the Mediterranean and much of Europe, and one of the factors contributing to its success was a determination introduced by the Diocletian Emperor, who appointed “co-emperors” with whom to share the authority and stress of carrying on the enormous expansion of its territory. This determination, in fact, served as the basis for the founding of the empires of East and West.

The Roman Empire began to fragment in the 5th century with the collapse of the Western Empire, when Romulus Augustus was overthrown by the Germans. The Eastern Empire - better known as the Byzantine Empire - continued to thrive until the mid-14th century, but began to gradually lose its grip on its territory, and finally disappeared with the death of Constantine, the last Byzantine emperor.

The fall culminated when the Ottomans conquered Constantinople under the command of Sultan Mehmed II. But, of course, by the time this happened, the empire had been in decline for a long time, and was no longer even controlled from Rome.

Interestingly, the Roman Empire was neither the largest nor the longest in history. However, its profound impact on Western culture is unquestionable, especially with regard to literature, engineering, medicine, architecture, language development, the arts, etc. His legacy is so important that it is simply impossible to imagine what our world would look like if it had not been "shaped" by the Romans during so many centuries of rule.

* Originally posted on 28/04/2015.