These Are The Most Long-Lived Empires In History

Studying world history involves learning about the empires that existed and disappeared. An empire is a large group of countries governed by a supreme authority such as an emperor or an empress.   Well-known examples are the British Empire and the Holy Roman Empire. These federations’ rulers had many reasons for extending their spheres of influence.

Most of them demonstrated their desire to expand their territory to acquire more resources, better living standards for their people, and to wield more political influence.   In this latest article by CEOWorld Magazine, readers will discover the empires that lasted for many centuries. They will find that the former groups of territories facilitated the development of cities, arts, governments, trade, science, and religion, among many others.   Empires played a crucial role in the formation of today’s sovereign nations.

In completing this list, CEOWorld Magazine’s researchers reviewed various sources, including information from online encyclopedias and archeology and history portals.   Here are the 50 longest-ruling empires in history:

1. Pandyan Dynasty   The Pandyan Dynasty is the empire that lasted the longest time. It began in 580 BC up to 1345, spanning 1,925 years.   In the centuries beforehand, the Pandyan kings were already present. However, the first-ever Pandyan Dynasty is believed to have started in the early 6th century BC.   Sometime in 960, the Pandyan people were pushed toward Sri Lanka by the Chola Dynasty (Refer to number 3). Nevertheless, the Pandyan Empire gradually recovered.   In the early 1200s, Venetian explorer and merchant Marco Polo recognized the Pandyan Dynasty as the world’s wealthiest empire. However, the battles that lasted for two decades and foreign invasions eventually dissolved the federation.
2. Assyrian Empire   The Assyrian Empire existed for 1,895 years. CEOWorld Magazine’s researchers recorded the commencement and end dates of this federation, which are from 2500 to 605 BC.   The Assyrian Empire was composed of city-states that monumental walls safeguarded. Its imperial reach included present-day Iran in the east and Egypt in the west.   Moreover, the Assyrian Empire consisted of the Fertile Crescent. This region in the Middle East is shaped like a crescent and comprises countries like Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Iraq, and Palestine.   Kuwait’s northern region, Turkey’s southeastern region, and Iran’s western portion are also part of the Fertile Crescent.   The Assyrian Empire’s beginnings predated that of nearly all the other empires. It is considered one of the genuine ancient military superpowers.
3. Chola Empire   The Chola Empire spanned 1,580 years, commencing from 301 BC to 1279. It is among the world’s longest-ruling federations, originating in modern-day southern India.   South Indian Tamil kings helmed the Chola Dynasty. Their political influence stretched from present-day Kanchipuram in the north to the Vaigai River in the south. Besides being skilled managers, the Chola people constructed effective irrigation systems for the empire.
4. Chera Dynasty   From 430 BC to 1102, the Chera Dynasty controlled South India for 1,532 years. The rulers were one of the three of the earliest Tamil dynasties.   The people of the Chera Dynasty were skilled traders. They engaged in business with the people from Persia, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Rome, Saudi Arabia, Greece, and Phoenicia.
5. Kingdom of Kush   In northern Africa’s Nubia, the Kingdom of Kush dominated for 1,420 years, beginning from 1070 BC to 350. The area is considered among the world’s civilization cradles.   Nubia was also ruled by the Egyptians between 1150 and 1070 BC when the Kushite Kingdom was established. Land overuse led to the empire’s deterioration. Furthermore, the Aksumites and Egyptians’ attacks resulted in the Kingdom of Kush’s collapse.
6. Republic of Venice   CEOWorld Magazine included the Republic of Venice as among the world’s longest-ruling empires. After all, this federation’s influence started in 697 until 1797, lasting for 1,100 years.   During the medieval period, the Republic of Venice wielded power over the Aegean islands, including Crete and Cyprus, the Mediterranean, and the Italian peninsula.   This city-state, which was also referred to as the Most Serene Republic of Venice, battled and conducted business with the Republic of Genoa and the Muslims. Venetian merchant Marco Polo was among the Republic of Venice’s world-renowned citizens.
7. Byzantine Empire   Constantine I founded the Byzantine Empire which lasted for 1,058 years. This Roman emperor’s domain started in 395 and endured up to 1453.   Constantine I, or Constantine The Great, also established Constantinople as the Byzantine Empire’s capital following the Roman Empire’s division into eastern and western sections.   The Byzantine Empire consisted of territories in North Africa, Italy, and Greece. Moreover, it included areas in Asia Minor and the Balkans.   Roman, Greek, and Middle Eastern cultures impacted the way of life of the Byzantine Empire’s people. The empire ended when Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II invaded Constantinople.
8. Silla Kingdom   The Silla Kingdom originated in southeastern Korea, but it expanded when its rulers eventually decided to invade the entire peninsula.   Majestic gilded crowns, stringent hierarchical communities, and centralized authority were among the Silla Kingdom’s notable attributes. This federation lasted for 992 years, commencing in 57 BC until its culmination in 935.
9. Ghana Empire   The Ghana Empire is the namesake of modern-day Ghana, although the two are unrelated. This federation is among the world’s longest-ruling empires, which started in 300 until 1240.   For 940 years, the Ghana Empire stretched across present-day Mali and southern Mauritania. Rainforests to the south and the Sahara Desert to the north were also parts of this group of territories.   The Ghana Empire derived its wealth from its vast copper, gold, and iron deposits and its access to the Senegal and Niger rivers.   Its central government eventually lost its power. Additionally, the rivalry in the trade paths toward the east resulted in the Ghana Empire’s eventual downfall.
10. Tu’i Tonga Empire   Tu’i Tonga was the name that the Tu’i Tonga Empire’s head obtained. This federation was centered on a South Pacific island called Tongatapu.   In the 10th century, the Tu’i Tonga Empire started extending its power all over Oceania. It was at its height of influence from 1200 to 1500.   For 915 years, the Tu’i Tonga Empire was in power beginning in 950. Nonetheless, this federation was dissolved upon the abolition of the ruler’s title in 1865.
11. Holy Roman Empire   The Holy Roman Empire was a multi-ethnic realm. It included many portions of central and western Europe.   From 962 to 1806, the Holy Roman Empire was in power. Frankish monarchs were its first administrators and it was later governed by German kings.   For 844 years, the Holy Roman Empire integrated the features of the old Roman Empire into its territories. The last Holy Roman emperor, Francis II, left his post, leading to the end of the Christian empire in 1806.
12. Aksumite Empire   The Aksumite Empire comprised Eritrea and northern Ethiopia. It was in power for 790 years, beginning in 150 until 940.   The Aksumite Empire made a trade network with the Mediterranean and India. It gained advantages from the alteration in trading paths which supported businesses through the Red Sea.   The Aksumites were in control of the Adulis harbor. This area became the primary port for the exportation of live animals, ivory, gold, and incense.
13. Zhou Dynasty   CEOWorld Magazine’s researchers included the Zhou Dynasty in this list. Besides being one of the world’s longest-ruling empires, this dynasty is also among the oldest, starting from 1046 up to 256 BC.   The Zhou Dynasty spanned 790 years. It was divided into two eras. The Western Zhou existed from 1046 to 771 BC. Meanwhile, the Eastern Zhou was from 771 to 256 BC.   The Zhou Dynasty adopted the important concepts the preceding Shang Dynasty introduced such as the Mandate of Heaven, in which a spiritual supreme being appoints a monarch.   Sun Tzu and Confucius are among the famous Chinese philosophers that existed during the Zhou Dynasty. Moreover, this era witnessed the arts flourish and metallurgy advance in China.
14. Sultanate of Ternate   In Asia, the Sultanate of Ternate is among the ancient Muslim kingdoms. It began in 1258 and has been existent for 765 years as of 2023.   During its height of influence, the Sultanate of Ternate included a section of the southern Philippines and the eastern part of Indonesia. This empire was a competitor of the Sultanate of Tidore (Refer to number 18), which was another major Indonesian power.   The Sultanate of Ternate was well-known as a cloves producer. Today, it does not possess political influence.
15. Ethiopian Empire   The Ethiopian Empire is also known as the Kingdom of Abyssinia. Today, it is the modern-day Ethiopia. From 1270 to 1974, the Ethiopian Empire existed.   The Solomonid Dynasty’s kings, who claimed to be King Solomon’s descendants, established this federation, which lasted for 704 years.   Christianity was adopted in the Ethiopian Empire. This kingdom was built on conquest and trade. Then, in the early 20th century, Italy invaded the Ethiopian Empire.   Nevertheless, this realm was one of the merely two African countries – the other being Liberia – that a European imperial power never officially colonized. The Ethiopian Empire concluded when a coup toppled its monarchy.
16. Republic of Genoa   The Republic of Genoa was a long-enduring empire spanning 701 years from 1096 until 1797. This city-state was in northwestern Italy on the Mediterranean coast and close to the present-day French border.   A tiny group of clans dominated the Republic of Genoa’s political system. This empire’s maritime tradition provided it with immense influence and wealth. The Catholic Church also supported the Republic of Genoa for taking part in the Crusades.
17. Chavi­n Empire   The Chavin Empire was on the Peruvian coast. This realm was a predecessor of the Incas’ empire. The Chavin Empire spanned 700 years from 900 to 200 BC.   Its name is derived from the archaeological site Chavín de Huántar, which today is a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization or UNESCO World Heritage place. As early as 1200 BC, Chavín de Huántar already had inhabitants.
18. Sultanate of Tidore   The Sultanate of Tidore is in CEOWorld Magazine’s list of the “50 Longest-Ruling Empires in History.” This Islamic kingdom that governed eastern Indonesia was in power for 693 years, commencing from 1274 to 1967.   The Sultanate of Tidore’s primary competitor was the Sultanate of Ternate (Refer to number 14). In the 16th century, this kingdom allied itself with Spain and Portugal.   Although the Sultanate of Tidore stayed sovereign, it needed to resist Dutch intervention in the 17th and 18th centuries.
19. Kanem-Bornu Empire   Africa had many empires and the Kanem-Bornu Empire is among them. This group of territories was one of the longest-lasting in the continent.   The Kanem-Bornu Empire started in 700 and concluded in 1387. For 687 years, this realm encompassed 300,000 square miles.   The Zaghawa people established the Kanem-Bornu Empire. They were prolific in equestrian and iron technology.   The Kanem-Bornu Empire consisted of several African countries including Niger, Chad, and Libya. Additionally, it included sections of Sudan, northern Cameroon, and northeastern Nigeria. When the Kanem-Bornu Empire disintegrated, the Bornu Empire (Refer to number 38) succeeded it.
20. Kingdom of Tondo   In the Philippine island of Luzon, the Kingdom of Tondo existed from 900 to 1587. This federation’s capital was on the Pasig River’s northern part. The Kingdom of Tondo lasted for 687 years. Buddhist and Hindu cultures influenced this empire.   Additionally, in the 14th century, the Kingdom of Tondo established diplomatic ties with China. The two territories developed robust cultural and trade relations.
21. Paekche Kingdom   CEOWorld Magazine’s researchers included the Paekche Kingdom as among the world’s longest-ruling empires since it wielded power for 678 years, beginning in 18 BC until 660 AD.   The Paekche Kingdom was one of the three important empires that dominated Korea for many centuries. This domain ruled the peninsula’s southwestern section and Japan culturally influenced it.   Korea had two other empires in that era that rivaled the Paekche Kingdom. They are Goguryeo and Silla.
22. Carthaginian Empire   The Carthaginian Empire commenced in 814 and lasted until 146 BC. It was a group of Phoenician city-states that surrounded parts of the Mediterranean.   The Carthaginian Empire also consisted of portions of North Africa and Sicily, Corsica, present-day Spain, and Sardinia. It was in power for 668 years.
23. Chalukya Dynasty   For 657 years, the Chalukya Dynasty ruled many parts of southern and central India. The rulers were in power as three closely related yet unique dynasties.   From 543 to 1200, the Chalukya Dynasty integrated cultural aspects from India’s northern and southern parts.
24. Sultanate of Gowa   The Sultanate of Gowa was in South Sulawesi in today’s Indonesia. This empire wielded influence in the area for 645 years, commencing in 1300 and enduring until 1945.   The Sultanate of Gowa possessed a strategic position. Hence, it was a significant trade hub and shipping path. However, in the 20th century, the Dutch imperialists toppled the Sultanate of Gowa.
25. Khmer Empire   The Khmer Empire ruled over present-day southern Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos for 629 years. From 802 to 1431, its people thrived and developed their proficiencies in building highways, temples, and canals.   The Angkor Wat is the Khmer people’s world-renowned and admirable legacy. This gigantic, 1,000-year-old temple spreads over nearly 500 acres.
26. Ottoman Empire   The Ottoman Empire is one of the world’s longest-ruling federations. Its domination spanned 623 years, starting in 1299 to 1922.   In the 13th century, the Ottoman Empire commenced from a piece of land in modern-day Turkey. With its superior army, this federation successfully grew its influence over the Balkans and Asia Minor.   Nevertheless, the Ottoman Empire’s quest to invade the rest of Europe failed. Then, in the early 20th century, this domain’s fall happened.   The Ottoman Empire had to deal with internal disputes. Additionally, it failed to adapt to economic and technological developments, which resulted in its doom.
27. Armenian Empire   As one of the world’s longest-ruling empires, the Armenian Empire lasted for 618 years, starting from 321 BC to 428.   This primeval federation is believed to have commenced with the Orontid Dynasty’s start. Nonetheless, some historians trace the Armenian Empire’s beginnings to the Hayasa-Azzi culture, which dates back to approximately 1500 BC.   The Armenian Empire was in the south Caucasus. This geographical positioning made its people grapple with the more determined and bigger Roman and Parthian empires.
28. Srivijaya Empire   The Srivijaya Empire was a commercial and seafaring kingdom in modern-day Indonesia. It lasted for 610 years, commencing from 683 to 1293.    China and India forged trade ties with the Srivijaya Empire, which was also a religious hub. The Srivijaya Empire also served as a stopover for Chinese Buddhist pilgrims heading to India.   It is believed to have endured until the late 13th century. After this federation’s collapse, it was largely forgotten by the people, even in Indonesia. Nevertheless, in 1918, French historian George Coedès rediscovered the Srivijaya Empire’s history.
29. Ahom Dynasty   King Sukaphaa established the Ahom Dynasty in the early 13th century. This domain is the present-day Indian state of Assam.   The Ahom Dynasty began in 1228 to 1826. It lasted for 598 years. Its people demonstrated how to cultivate damp rice to the natives, which was a technological advancement at that time.   The Mughals’ incessant assaults and later the Burmese resulted in the Ahom Dynasty’s destabilization. In the early 19th century, the British imperialists conquered the kingdom.
30. Portuguese Empire   The Portuguese Empire endured for 584 years and it became one of the primeval and largest of the European colonial powers. Its prolific mariners powered it to last from 1415 until 1999.   The Portuguese Empire initially captured North Africa’s Ceuta area, which today is a self-governing city Spain owns.   Then, it expanded its holdings across the Americas, Africa, and Asia. In 1999, the Portuguese government’s handover of Macau to China ended the empire.
31. Wadiyar Dynasty   The Wadiyar Dynasty existed from 1399 to 1947, which totals 548 years in power. The Wadiyars ruled the Kingdom of Mysore from its formation until India gained its sovereignty from British imperial rule. They trace their lineage to the supreme god Krishna.
32. Saudeleur Dynasty   The Saudeleur Dynasty was one of the world’s longest-ruling empires, with its power lasting for 528 years. From 1100 to 1628, this empire united the Pohnpei island’s people.   The isle is a component today of the Federated States of Micronesia in the South Pacific. The Saudeleur Dynasty was marked by a robust and sometimes dictatorial centralized governance.
33. Bruneian Empire   The Bruneian Empire existed for 520 years in Southeast Asia, specifically on Borneo’s northern coast. It expanded through the coastal locations of present-day Philippines and Borneo.   The Bruneian Empire lasted from 1368 to 1888. Its decline happened in the 1600s and 1700s, and it eventually became a British territory in the 1800s.
34. Abbasid Caliphate   The Abbasid Caliphate was an empire that commenced in 750 and lasted until 1258. It was formed after the Umayyad caliphate’s ouster. The Umayyads focused on the west, while the Abbasid caliphate’s concentration was on the east.   The Abbasid Caliphate’s capital was established in Baghdad. It endured for 508 years. In 1258, the Abbasid Caliphate ended due to the Mongol invasion.
35. Joseon Dynasty   The Joseon Dynasty lasted for 505 years, starting in 1392 until 1897. Its founder was Taejo Yi Seong-gye, who established the empire as the Goryeo Kingdom’s (Refer to number 42) replacement.   The Joseon Dynasty was the final dynasty in Korea. Disputes with the Japanese and the Chinese ended it, with the the Joseon court proclaiming the Korean Empire’s formation.   The latter was the Joseon Dynasty’s successor. The Korean Empire lasted until 1910 when the Japanese imperialists effectively annexed Korea with the Japan–Korea Treaty.
36. Wari Empire   One of the longest-ruling empires included in CEOWorld Magazine’s list is the Wari Empire. This federation was in power from 500 to 1000.   The Wari Empire was in South America. Its civilization developed in ancient Peru’s highland and coastal portions. These areas included sections of present-day Peru, Bolivia, and Chile.   The Wari Empire lasted for 500 years. The Inca civilization was influenced by this realm’s artistry, advanced road construction, and administrative capabilities.
37. Funan Empire   In Southeast Asia, the Funan Empire was the first-ever important Hindu country. Its name is derived from “pnom,” which is a Chinese term for mountain.   The Funan Empire comprised sections of current-day Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. India tremendously influenced this domain’s culture. From 50 to 550, the Funan Empire existed, which spanned 500 years.
38. Bornu Empire   The Bornu Empire is the immediate replacement for the earlier Kanem-Bornu Empire (Refer to number 19). For 496 years, this realm existed, which was from 1397 to 1893.   The Bornu Empire included sections of modern-day Chad and Nigeria. This African domain, which is among the longest-ruling, was prominent for its stability and secure and flourishing urban locales.
39. Kachari Kingdom   The Kachari Kingdom spanned 496 years, commencing in 1336 up to 1832.  In the medieval era, this domain was also referred to as the Dimasa Kingdom.   The Kachari Kingdom was in northeastern India. Its leaders initially established a sovereign territory in Assam. Then, in the early 1800s, the British imperialists annexed the empire.  
40. Spanish Empire   In the Age of Discovery, Spain was a leading imperial power. This European empire that lasted for 484 years expanded its influence across the Pacific and Atlantic oceans following its overthrow of the Jews and Moors in 1492.   However, Spain’s influence as a colonial power diminished in the 19th century due to the Spanish-American War and the Napoleonic Wars. This empire lasted until 1975 with the Spanish monarchy’s reinstatement and the end of fascist leader Generalissimo Francisco Franco’s autocracy.
41. Georgian Empire   The Georgian Empire was also known as the Kingdom of Georgia. It was a Eurasian monarchy that lasted for 482 years, commencing from 1008 to 1490.   The Georgian Empire hailed from the medieval period. It reached its peak of influence between the 1000s and the 1200s.   Yet, the Mongols’ invasions destabilized the Georgian Empire. In the late 1400s, the Ottoman Empire’s persistent assaults led to the federation’s fall.
42. Goryeo   Goryeo is an empire that lasted for 474 years. It began in 918 and lasted until 1392. Korea obtained its name from Goryeo’s dynastic kingdom, which was also referred to as Koryo.   Army general Wang Geon united the nation and named it “Goryeo.” This empire became famous for ceramics, printing, and architecture.
43. Egyptian Empire   For 473 years, the Egyptian Empire was dominant, extending from present-day Sudan in the south and Syria in the north. It was also influential in Libya in the west and Jordan in the east.   The Egyptian Empire existed from 1550 to 1077 BC. It also appeared during the New Kingdom’s period, which was from 1570 to 1069 BC.
44. Parthian Empire   The Parthian Empire began with Seleucus I, who was among Alexander the Great’s generals. This domain commenced in 247 BC until 224, spanning 471 years.   The Parthian Empire was expansive. It extended from the Mediterranean Sea to China and India, enabling the Parthian people to be exposed to diverse cultures.
45. Benin Empire    The Benin Empire was among Africa’s longest-ruling indigenous empires, starting in 1440 up to 1897. This federation, which may be the namesake of the country of Benin, yet the two are unrelated, is in current-day southwestern Nigeria.   The Edo people formed the Benin Empire which lasted for 457 years. The domain tremendously benefitted from trading with the Portuguese.
46. Oyo Empire   Beginning in 1400 until 1838, the Oyo Empire exercised power as a Yoruba kingdom. For 438 years, it occupied sections of present-day Nigeria and Benin. The Oyo Empire flourished from the 1600s to the 1800s.   Much of its economic success is due to the slave trade. This successful business of the Oyo Empire was so massive that this area of Africa became well-known as the “Slave Coast.”
47. Roman Empire   The Roman Empire spanned 422 years from 27 BC to 395. It may not be the longest-ruling empire in history.   Nevertheless, the Roman Empire had a massive and enduring impact all over the European continent and beyond. This domain influenced the world’s religions, laws, architecture, arts, language, agriculture, and many other aspects.   In the earlier centuries, the Roman Empire was a force to reckon with as a regional power. Yet, this federation commenced when the Roman Senate recognized Octavian as emperor.   At its peak, the Roman Empire wielded power over most of the European continent. It included Ukraine, England, the Middle East, the North African coast, and portions of Asia Minor.   In 395, the Roman Empire concluded with its separation into two parts. The eastern segment lasted for over a thousand more years as the Byzantine Empire (Refer to number 7). Meanwhile, the western section collapsed fast.
48. British Empire   For 409 years, the British Empire was tremendously influential. British colonial administrator Earl McCartney described it as “the empire on which the sun never sets” for it possessed colonies and other acquisitions on every continent.   The British Empire began from 1588 to 1997, with its height of power happening from the late 16th through the early 18th centuries. Nonetheless, this federation is sometimes believed to have started with the English invasion of Ireland in the latter part of the 12th century.   On the other hand, the Brittanica Encyclopedia traces the British Empire’s commencement to the Spanish Armada’s loss in 1588. This incident established Great Britain as a leading maritime power capable of competing for colonies and trade worldwide.   Hong Kong is the final British colony. In 1997, the United Kingdom handed it over to China, which effectively marked the British Empire’s conclusion.
49. Kingdom of Judah   The Kingdom of Judah is an empire formed from the territories of Benjamin, Simon, and Judah’s tribes. Its establishment happened following the United Kingdom of Israel’s division into two parts and Solomon’s passing around 922 BC.   The Kingdom of Judah lasted for 336 years until 586 BC. Its name is derived from Judah, who was Jacob’s son.   As an empire, the Kingdom of Judah was approximated to include 3,435 square miles. It is sometimes referred to as the Southern Kingdom to differentiate it from the Northern Kingdom, which was created following the division of the two states.
50. Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty   The Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty is an empire that began in 725 and lasted until 1027, spanning 302 years. It dominated a huge part of medieval Northern India.   The Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty’s influence reached its summit in the late 9th and early 10th centuries.

In this list of the world’s 50 longest-ruling empires, CEOWorld Magazine’s researchers demonstrated that domains controlled by one supreme authority can last for over three centuries, like the Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty.   Empires can also endure for almost 2,000 years, as in the case of the Pandyan Dynasty. Various factors contributed to these federations’ prosperity and disintegration.   For instance, the British and Portuguese empires thrived, thanks to their maritime powers.  Meanwhile, conflicts with other groups and territories can lead to a domain’s downfall and destabilization, as in the cases of the Georgian Empire and the Ahom Dynasty.   Invasion by foreign forces also led to the ending of the Byzantine Empire and the Abbasid Caliphate. Empires served as the foundations of today’s independent countries.   Their people contributed to modern civilizations’ various aspects, such as culture, military, trade, technology, politics, philosophy, and so forth, as in the case of the Roman Empire.   Learning about the longest-ruling empires in history is important for these former domains were instrumental in the formation of the national and cultural identities of today’s people.

Have you read?
Revealed: Most Notorious Pirates Throughout History.
Here Are the Extremely Dangerous Jobs the US Military Pays Extra For.
Here Are The Most Notable Prisoner Swaps of Modern Times.
Ranked: These Are The Best War Movies of All Times And Why.
Unveiling Extraordinary Immigrant Achievers: The Impact of Naturalized Citizens.
Imperial Echoes: 22 Leaders, and their Lessons, and Legacies.