Over centuries and millenniums, empires have been forged and empires have fallen. Great empires have risen and left a beneficial mark on humanity and civilization. However, evil empires have also risen, leaving a worse mark on humanity and civilization.  

With empires ranging from the Akkadian Empire to the United States, this ranking will consist of the top four empires. 

 One: The First French Empire

With its military conquests and legislative reforms like the Napoleonic Code, the short-lived but profound Napoleonic Empire (1799–1815) changed the face of Europe. Napoleon’s campaigns influenced contemporary nationalism and state-building by disseminating revolutionary ideas and undermining feudal regimes. His time greatly influenced European history, and his military tactics are still studied in academies around the world. The empire’s influence endured in European political and social reforms even after it fell.

Two: Alexander the Great’s Empire

Stretching from Greece to Egypt and India, Alexander the Great’s dominion (336–323 BCE) was brief but very influential. His conquests blended Greek, Persian, Egyptian, and Indian art, science, and philosophical traditions, expanding Hellenistic civilization. The Greek emphasis on democracy, reason, and the arts laid the foundation of Western culture. Even though the empire fell apart following Alexander’s passing, its cultural impact persisted throughout the Roman Empire and the territories of its successors.

Three: The Roman Empire

From 27 BCE to 476 CE for the Western Empire and until 1453 CE for the Eastern/Byzantine Empire, the Roman Empire was one of the most powerful civilizations in history. With its acceptance and growth of Christianity, it influenced Western architecture, law, government and religion. Roman roads and aqueducts established norms for ages, and the Roman legal system served as the model for many contemporary legal laws. Its extent and history are unmatched due to its enduring impact on politics, language, and culture.

Four: The Ottoman Empire

For centuries, the Ottoman Empire (1299–1922) served as a bridge connecting Europe, Asia and Africa. It was an important part of the medieval and early modern worlds, and its advantageous position promoted trade and cross-cultural interaction. The Renaissance was influenced by the empire’s preservation and dissemination of classical knowledge throughout Europe. Despite its eventual downfall, its cultural, political and architectural legacy remains important in contemporary Turkey and elsewhere.

All Empires will rise and fall. Humans aren’t perfect and neither are the Empires. Every empire has had internal conflict, corruption, and outside forces that have ultimately caused it to fall throughout history. Those in positions of power frequently lose sight of the exact values that brought them to their current position, which leads to an inescapable cycle of creation, dominance, and collapse. Even though empires come and go, their legacy influences future generations.