Student Question
What was the largest contiguous empire in history?
Quick answer:
The largest contiguous empire in history was the Mongol Empire, established by Genghis Khan in the early 13th century. At its peak, it spanned approximately 24 million square kilometers, stretching from East Asia to Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The empire was notable for its military prowess and the Silk Road trade network. Despite its vast size and influence, the Mongol Empire eventually fragmented into independent khanates and collapsed in the 14th century.
The largest land-based, contiguous empire in world history would be the Mongol Empire, which spanned approximately 24 million square kilometers (or over 14.9 million square miles). At its height, the Mongol Empire covered a geographic expanse that stretched from East Asia to parts of Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Founded by Ghengis Khan, who died circa 1227 CE, it would later be divided into four Khanates, each acting independently of one another and pursuing their own separate agendas. The Khanates would eventually collapse in the fourteenth century.
Before the rise of the Mongol Empire, history's largest contiguous empire would have belonged to the Islamic Caliphates, with both the Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphates measuring approximately 11.1 million square kilometers (or approximately 6.9 million square miles).
Meanwhile, history's second largest land-based empire would be the Russian Empire, spanning 22.8 million square kilometers or (over 14 million square miles). That being said,...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
if you were to look towards non-contiguous empires, the largest would be the British Empire, which, at its height, controlled approximately 35.5 million square kilometers (approximately 22 million square miles), scattered around the planet.
References
What was the largest contiguous empire in history?
The Mongol Empire was the largest contiguous empire in history. Established by the famed conqueror Genghis Khan in the early thirteenth century ACE., it was based in modern Mongolia. At its height, the empire spanned most of modern Asia, from the Korean peninsula to the modern Middle East and the frontier of Europe.
Like most great empire-builders, the Mongols established their empire through a combination of military force and diplomacy. Their military success was based on the highly mobile and utterly terrifying cavalry forces that Genghis Khan and his successors deployed first against Chinese emperors and then against rivals in Central Asia along the Silk Road. By his death, Genghis Khan had mostly subjugated a series of Chinese rulers, conquered the Khwarezm Empire in Central Asia, and pushed to the modern-day Caucasus, near the borders of the Russian Empire.
Subsequent leaders added to the Great Khan's conquests and generally honored his policy of religious tolerance. The backbone of the empire was the Silk Road, the network of trade routes that linked China to the Middle East and Europe. Though their conquests cost hundreds of thousands of lives, the Mongols also fostered trade, established a census of the empire, and generally observed local customs.
The Mongol Empire declined and ultimately collapsed in the fourteenth century, but its sheer expanse permanently altered the cultural landscape of Asia. Moreover, successive emperors who claimed to be the heirs of the Mongols ruled over much of Central Asia for centuries.
References