Worlds most viralent Empire

[JALU3]

Several States have been called Empires, some called Empires at different times in their existastance . . . of those that have been deemed Empires . . . which was the most viralent?

[August]

Several States have been called Empires, some called Empires at different times in their existastance . . . of those that have been deemed Empires . . . which was the most viralent?

Did you mean "virulent"?

[JALU3]

Several States have been called Empires, some called Empires at different times in their existastance . . . of those that have been deemed Empires . . . which was the most viralent?

Did you mean "virulent"?

Yes I am sure I did, just am coming on the end of a long day. Sorry for my spelling errors.

[Jimbuna]

I've plumpt for the British Empire....at one time the sun never set on it. and IMO it was the largest ever in it's heydey :yep:

[August]

Several States have been called Empires, some called Empires at different times in their existastance . . . of those that have been deemed Empires . . . which was the most viralent?
Did you mean "virulent"?
Yes I am sure I did, just am coming on the end of a long day. Sorry for my spelling errors.

oh no problem. I was just making sure as the word is so key to your poll.

[August]

I've plumpt for the British Empire....at one time the sun never set on it. and IMO it was the largest ever in it's heydey :yep:

Just being large doesn't necessarily qualify I think.

vir·u·lent
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin virulentus, from virus poison
1 a : marked by a rapid, severe, and destructive course <a virulent infection> b : able to overcome bodily defensive mechanisms : markedly pathogenic <virulent bacteria>
2 : extremely poisonous or venomous
3 : full of malice : MALIGNANT <virulent racists>
4 : objectionably harsh or strong <virulent criticism>

[Jimbuna]

I've plumpt for the British Empire....at one time the sun never set on it. and IMO it was the largest ever in it's heydey :yep:

Just being large doesn't necessarily qualify I think.

vir·u·lent
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin virulentus, from virus poison
1 a : marked by a rapid, severe, and destructive course <a virulent infection> b : able to overcome bodily defensive mechanisms : markedly pathogenic <virulent bacteria>
2 : extremely poisonous or venomous
3 : full of malice : MALIGNANT <virulent racists>
4 : objectionably harsh or strong <virulent criticism>

Our history teaches us we've been all of those at some time or other :yep:

[Tchocky]

That is a lot of empires, I'm a little intimidated :)

[JALU3]

That is a lot of empires, I'm a little intimidated :)
Well when I looked it up on Wikipedia, this is a list that I found, plus five others not listed on the list, but mentioned. And the British Empire wasn't the only empire which the sun never set on in its hayday . . . and it wasn't the largest in terms of total % of the global population . . . or controlled land mass either.
I won't vote, as the poll originator, until the last day, or near to that.

But I'd love to know why the British Empire has gotten so many votes . . . so far.

[Skybird]

Can'T compute - to many options, but each option described with too little detailed charactericstic concerning why to call it "virulent". Generally said, the majority of empires on that list qualifies for that description.

An empire that does not push to the "outside" (inner pressure) seems to stagnate and finally fall, since there is always outside powers (counter pressure) that work against it. seen that way, an empire cannot afford not to press to the oputside and react to challenges at it'S border perimeter. It's a need deriving from a self-dynamic that has little to do with willing intentions, and plans.

[Yahoshua]

I decided or the British empire as it is the most recent empire to have had the largest influence on the course of world events. Not even Soviet Russia rivaled British influence throughout English colonization.

The British Empire stretched from the East Indies to the 13 American colonies, From South Africa to Egypt, from the British territory of Palestine to Iraq, from India to Hong Kong, the influence of the slow collapse of the British empire has definitively shaped for more than 300 years the events of world politics.

From the division of the middle east along geographic landmarks as opposed to tribal territories, to the independence of the American colonies and of India and the East Indies, to the cessation of Hong Kong to China, to the independence of South Africa and Egypt.

England has shaped the nations that influenced politics of the recent past (50+ years) modern politics (Iraq, Kashmir, West bank and Gaza Strip, South African Apartheid, and the loss of Hong Kong) and although the direct influence of the British Empire is now gone, the remains of that empires' policies will continue to influence the affairs of nations in the decades to come.

[Heibges]

I would say that best defines the Klingon Empire.

[Jimbuna]

LMAO :rotfl:

[Jimbuna]

That is a lot of empires, I'm a little intimidated :)
Well when I looked it up on Wikipedia, this is a list that I found, plus five others not listed on the list, but mentioned. And the British Empire wasn't the only empire which the sun never set on in its hayday . . . and it wasn't the largest in terms of total % of the global population . . . or controlled land mass either.
I won't vote, as the poll originator, until the last day, or near to that.

But I'd love to know why the British Empire has gotten so many votes . . . so far.

I take your point, having looked myself:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_empires

Despite the fact I'm British, I have to agree with Yahoshua :up:

[micky1up]

none of the above how about the insect empire ?

[STEED]

We gave the world cucumber sandwiches and a nice hot cup of tea on the lawn at 4pm in the afternoon. :sunny: And nicked land from the locals who had pointed sticks and we had guns. :nope:

Well no Empire is perfect. :roll:

[Chock]

You are all wrong, the world's most evil empire is this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hackney_Empire

responsible for launching Ben Elton's career, there can be nothing more unforgiveable than that.

:D Chock

[Skybird]

none of the above how about the insect empire ?
Bah, if arguing like that you can only vote for algas. The come up with by far the greatest share of world's bio-mass.

[Tchocky]

Human slaves, in an Insect Nation!

Oh ahh ha ha haaaa!

[Skybird]

I decided or the British empire as it is the most recent empire to have had the largest influence on the course of world events. Not even Soviet Russia rivaled British influence throughout English colonization.

The British Empire stretched from the East Indies to the 13 American colonies, From South Africa to Egypt, from the British territory of Palestine to Iraq, from India to Hong Kong, the influence of the slow collapse of the British empire has definitively shaped for more than 300 years the events of world politics.

From the division of the middle east along geographic landmarks as opposed to tribal territories, to the independence of the American colonies and of India and the East Indies, to the cessation of Hong Kong to China, to the independence of South Africa and Egypt.

England has shaped the nations that influenced politics of the recent past (50+ years) modern politics (Iraq, Kashmir, West bank and Gaza Strip, South African Apartheid, and the loss of Hong Kong) and although the direct influence of the British Empire is now gone, the remains of that empires' policies will continue to influence the affairs of nations in the decades to come.
If thinking in terms or influence and persistence through time, at least two other empries would be needed to ranked higher than the Brits: the Greek cities and Macedonian empire (due to the immense influence Greek philospophy had on the Roman empire and, until today, the modern occident - where would American and European thinking and it's cultural influence on all world - in form of the Brits - be without the Greek ancient philosophy?), and the various empires listed that were part of Islamic factions. What other ideology is there to be mentioned that is vital and alive and still pushing to expand for one and a half millenia?

[Skybird]

Human slaves, in an Insect Nation!

Oh ahh ha ha haaaa!

Frank Herbert: The Green Brain. Novel.

Frank Herbert: Hellstrom's Hive. Novel (Tip!)

Saul Bass (director): Phase IV. Movie (Tip!)

[Tchocky]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IbyWxEq-0c :D

[Jimbuna]

The Empire Strikes Back!! http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/2083/starwarsam4.gif (http://imageshack.us)

[HMCS]

Still not sure what it's polling.

Is this poll asking for which empire was the most influential? Violent? Poisonous?

Not trying to be sarcastic. Just trying to unmuddy the waters.

[Penelope_Grey]

My opinion the most Virulent empires is the fast food, tobacco and porn industries. Never mind the romans, some of those Empires on the list actually did a power of good. So I'm going with my three picks there.

Don't have to be a country to be an Empire.

[STEED]

You are all wrong, the world's most evil empire is this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hackney_Empire

responsible for launching Ben Elton's career, there can be nothing more unforgiveable than that.

:D Chock

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[NefariousKoel]

The Mongols will make a big comeback. You just watch!:rock:

[JALU3]

The Mongols will make a big comeback. You just watch!:rock:

From the present time, that would be an interesting thing to see . . . especially given that they are currently sandwiched in between the Bear and the Dragon . . . I would watch that battle any day . . . and a win from their side, wow! :hmm:

[Reaves]

British Empire is not dead!!! Yet.

The British Commonwealth still exists and together are a group of nations that can rival any other world power in terms of military.

Pitty it's dying.

[JALU3]

British Empire is not dead!!! Yet.

The British Commonwealth still exists and together are a group of nations that can rival any other world power in terms of military.

Pitty it's dying.

It's dying because the Commonwealth stop seeing itself in nationalistic terms, but rather as a loose alliance to play olympic like games. The power of the Union Jack in legal matters within the Commonwealth isn't like what it use to be in its hayday. However, it still holds considerable symbolism. And I'd rather see the old Commonwealth HK flag fly over the new flower flag any day of the week.

[Camaero]

My opinion the most Virulent empires is the fast food, tobacco and porn industries. Never mind the romans, some of those Empires on the list actually did a power of good. So I'm going with my three picks there.

Don't have to be a country to be an Empire.


Did you just diss porn and fast food? :o Damn the Romans, but you go too far on the porn and fast food!

[bradclark1]

Most people think the British empire was bitterly hostile and hateful?

[Tchocky]

Most people think the British empire was bitterly hostile and hateful?

................

[dean_acheson]

vir·u·lent http://cache.lexico.com/g/d/premium.gif http://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.pnghttp://cache.lexico.com/g/d/speaker.gif (https://secure.reference.com/premium/login.html?rd=2&u=http%3A%2F%2Fdictionary.reference.com%2Fbrowse%2 Fvirulent) /ˈvɪrhttp://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.pngyəhttp://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.pnglənt, ˈvɪrhttp://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.pngə-/ Pronunciation Key (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/) - Show Spelled Pronunciation (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/)[vir-yuh-luhhttp://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.pngnt, vir-uh-] Pronunciation Key (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/) - Show IPA Pronunciation (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/) –adjective 1.actively poisonous; intensely noxious: a virulent insect bite. 2.Medicine/Medical. highly infective; malignant or deadly. 3.Bacteriology. causing clinical symptoms. 4.violently or spitefully hostile. 5.intensely bitter, spiteful, or malicious: a virulent attack.

Wow, that is some pretty nasty stuff.

The Soviet Empire gets my vote.

[Jimbuna]

IMO the British were far more tolerant and respectful of those it conquered than most :yep:

[STEED]

IMO the British were far more tolerant and respectful of those it conquered than most :yep:

Tell that to the Scots, Zulus, Boers. ;)

[SUBMAN1]

Well, America doesn't belong in the list because the definition of an Empire is a country that goes out, conquers and then claims the land as their own. America has no interest in holding land indefinitely.

Choosing one empire though will be a difficult task. I must study this.

-S

[Jimbuna]

IMO the British were far more tolerant and respectful of those it conquered than most :yep:

Tell that to the Scots, Zulus, Boers. ;)

I did :lol:

[dean_acheson]

Well, America doesn't belong in the list because the definition of an Empire is a country that goes out, conquers and then claims the land as their own. America has no interest in holding land indefinitely.

Choosing one empire though will be a difficult task. I must study this.

-S

well, I think most here know that I am a pretty jingoistic American, but I don't totally agree with this. Our whole system of government was designed to allow for the creation of, and accepting into the nation-state of new states. I do believe the founders expected this country to expand from Atlantic to the Pacific. It was, and is, a continental empire. We just don't really believe in colonies the was traditional empires do.

although some of my southern brethern will disagree with this. ;)

[Tronics]

You forgot very mysterious Sumerian Empire.

The Sumerian Empire is basically the responsible root for influencing the trickledown effect of all modern religions, because from what researchers and historians can tell the Sumerian's regligious views kept shifting between polytheism and monotheism.

Also they had a language that was unlike any other on earth that completly vanished without being inherited into any other languages, and a knowledge of crude steel production....before 4000 BC.

[Skybird]

the definition of an Empire is a country that goes out, conquers and then claims the land as their own.

100% simplifying, try again. Ypour attempt of a definition is not true for Britain, Holland, eventually one could even argue about Athens,and other naval and trade empires who did not depend on gaining ground, but networks of local strongholds at the coast (harbours) to support trade structures that they dominated in traffic, and monopoles on trading goods and trade conditions. The US stands in the traditon of this type of empire, but has become more physically aggressive and "total" than a pure trader or pure naval empire.

Help:
Herfried Münkler - "Empires: The Logic of World Domination from Ancient Rome to the United States."
http://www.amazon.de/Imperien-Herfried-M%C3%BCnkler/dp/3499622130/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/028-0050133-9422147?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1187046120&sr=8-2
German only, an English version rumoured. Wiuld be about time, his works are excellent academic analysis. his writing on Machiavelli's biography is a benchmark work, and his book on the types of socalled "new wars" also is outstanding.

Münkler teaches politics at the Humbold University Berlin.

[Jimbuna]

Great Britain still way out in front :lol:

[August]

100% simplifying, try again. Ypour attempt of a definition is not true for Britain, Holland, eventually one could even argue about Athens,and other naval and trade empires who did not depend on gaining ground, but networks of local strongholds at the coast (harbours) to support trade structures that they dominated in traffic, and monopoles on trading goods and trade conditions. The US stands in the traditon of this type of empire, but has become more physically aggressive and "total" than a pure trader or pure naval empire.

No such extreme has ever existed to my knowledge. The sea trader must be able to defend themselves and a naval power needs an economy to fund it. Both England and Holland had colonies that went far beyond networks of local strongholds which are in themselves conquered territory as defined by Subman.

[HMCS]

The British Empire, with the Romans running a close second, were probably the most influential. And referring to the treatment of the subject peoples, they were probably the most enlightened of the empires.

Their tolerance for 'benignly' ruling over conquere peoples had some long-term effects, but not always for the positive. I use the Canadian experience, for example.

[JALU3]

The British Empire, with the Romans running a close second, were probably the most influential. And referring to the treatment of the subject peoples, they were probably the most enlightened of the empires.

Their tolerance for 'benignly' ruling over conquere peoples had some long-term effects, but not always for the positive. I use the Canadian experience, for example.

Wow . . . unless a massive wave of new voting occurs, it looks like the British Empire has triumphed again.

[Jimbuna]

RULE BRITANNIA :lol:

[Tchocky]

RULE BRITANNIA :lol:Britannia waives the rules