Q of the Week - Greatest Empire?

[lentulus]

That's interesting, I didn't know the Roman's were still around in the 15th C.

I think China's acheivements within it's own boundary are good, but it's never really attempted anything on a global scale has it?

Well, what does "attempting on a global scale" really mean?  No-one has tried an empire in which they were not aware of some bit they didn't try to conquer.  The most they try is to get the "good bits".

[Leon]

Well, what does "attempting on a global scale" really mean?  No-one has tried an empire in which they were not aware of some bit they didn't try to conquer.  The most they try is to get the "good bits".

In the sense that England/Britain, and many other European nations, have explored the world, influencing a huge number of different cultures on the way.  Whereas the Chinese Empire never pushed their boundaries to that extent.  It's a different level of ambition.

[lentulus]

In the sense that England/Britain, and many other European nations, have explored the world, influencing a huge number of different cultures on the way.  Whereas the Chinese Empire never pushed their boundaries to that extent.  It's a different level of ambition.

Or a different level of timing.  Who was it said that the British created their Empire in a fit of absent-mindedness?

[Leon]

Or a different level of timing.  Who was it said that the British created their Empire in a fit of absent-mindedness?

I've no idea on that one.

[lentulus]

Ah, here we go:

from http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/article389186.ece

In 1883, Sir John Seeley published The Expansion of England, in which he famously observed that the English (or did he mean the British?) seemed to have acquired their far-flung empire in what he called “a fit of absence of mind”.

[Leon]

Haha!

For a 'fit of absence of mind' they did pretty well though?!