To determine the longest-lived empires in history, 24/7 Tempo reviewed numerous articles, encyclopedia entries, and historical and archeological websites, among the Britannica, World History, HistoryFiles, New World Encyclopedia, and Maps of India. Urartu still continues until 635 BC when it is effectively part of Assyria. 350 000 years ago. One of four very large Olmec heads at La Venta, Avenue of the Dead of the Teotihuacans in Mexico. Only one correction: there was no year "zero" the calendar goes from 1BC to 1AD with no gap between. The number of sites has gone over 80,000 now. I suppose all I need to do now is read your list whenever I need help! Unfortunately, little is known about this early civilization. larryfreeman (author) from Fremont, CA on May 08, 2010: I think that you make a good point. They form a loose kingdom called Scythia around 600 BC. Around 200 AD, there empire comes to an end with the invasions by the Kalabhras. china ancient road history chinese silk ducksters dynasty roads qin han wide polo system inventions dynasties where built soldiers civil for Before Common Era. I have a question,if Israel and Judea fell to the Assyrian empire how did Judea become a roman province, guys seriously, but still it was fun to read. The scope is far to wide with many many variables. ( Eastern Roman Empire). Maybe you could add Sparta as well which I believe was about 500 years. I do hope you are right. Perhaps India, China, Arabia, even Central Asia. The Han Dynasty begins officially with the rise of Liu Bang. http://allafrica.com/stories/200812220904.htm larryfreeman (author) from Fremont, CA on January 03, 2011: Thanks, Bard of Ely! That was one of the factors that allowed the Holy Roman Empire to last as long as it did. This period is called the Eastern Zhou period. So, the Sunga Empire lasted 112 years. The Kushite Kingdom began around 800 BC. Currently Im searching for Elam Civilization, Elamite Empire and Parthian Empire. Mahaveer Sanglikar from Pune, India on February 06, 2012: Great Hub. Climate change may have been the cause of the decline. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. Elam under the rule of Kutik-Inshushinak declares itself independent of the Akkadian Empire around 2240 BC. Its capital city is Hao. Its first capital city was originally Rajagriha but later it was Pataliputra. Just technobabling on, for your amusement, the 7" UD 14 nm, 64 bit tablet will change the world more than the printing press, telegraph, telephone, radio, TV, computer, put together, hopefully. From your survey, the question "What are the reasons for collapse of these civilizations?" One of the most notable were the Mississippian mound builders the culture lasted from 1500 C.E. There, I explain in detail how I determine when a civilization starts, when it ends, and when it gets listed in this survey. SmartAssets free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. The empire begins to weaken around 127BC. 
all the credit goes to you once again THANKS!!!!! Therefore labor costs will not be such a great advantage, if the US moves to more elaborately transformed manufactures, as seems likely, then the evil empire (lol,) could strike back. So, it lasts roughly 350 years. Some managed to hold farflung possessions by allowing varying degrees of autonomy. The Nanda Dynasty ruled Magadha from roughly the 5th Century BC to the 4th Century BC . Of all the Dynasties, I would wager that modern China's ascent (and future decline) resembles most to the Ming Dynasty. The Old Assyrian Empire lasted from 2000 BC to 1759 BC. So, the middle period lasted rougly 315 years. on September 24, 2014: In the 5th century B.C. So silly. However, the Aksumite Empire was not only located in today's Ethiopia but also in Eritrea where pre-Aksumite civilization existed. Around 1700 BC begins the next period which is known as the Neopalatial Period. Around 200 AD, the central state was losing power to local authorities. The first and second temples lasted about 400 years each. The dynasty changes significantly in 771 BC when King You decides to leave his queen and marry a concubine. A second center emerges at La Venta around 900 BC. United Kingdom on December 23, 2010: Very interesting, and quite comprehensive, But why do you divide Egypt into several different civilisations, based on rise and fall of groups of rulers? As long as humans have had aspirations to rule, there have been empires. You didn't mention Rome in the East. I would appreciate it, if you would let me know. Over 1,052 sites have been found of cities and community settlements. In fact, if these 40 civilizations are representative of all civilizations, then it seems that civilizations usually don't last 400 years. do yo know the answer to the following question: WHAT DIRECTIONS DID THE STONE ARMY FACE IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE EMPEROR? Earlier estimates said price parity between solar and standard electricity would be reached in 2020. There were kingdoms of David and Solomon, etc. The Scythians were a group of nomadic tribes that settled into a kingdom around the time of Herodotus. Historians call this the Protopalatial Period. Using the author's data, it would be just as logical to argue that a reorganized US government will soon rise to new heights of global domination, soon to be followed by yet a third US dynasty. The same could be said about China as well. Mycenae is an early Greek civilization that lasted from 1600 BC to 1200 BC. These are the16 "Great Kingdoms" of India. There is evidence that the palace was burned down around 1250 BC. The Aksumite Empire was a kingdom that resided in what is today Ethiopia. 
The Orontid Dynasty begins around 612 BC after the fall of Urartu to the Medians and the Scythians. I just did a class project/documentary film that talks about how todaythe time for empires is over. Their expansions ended around the 7th century BC when the Assyrians entered Egypt. Initially, their capital city was in Nepata. But of course this is another discussion all together. In 410 AD, the Visigoths successfully destroyed much of Rome. There appears to be some universal shelf-life to all civilizations. I divide up Egypt and China because historians divide up Egypt and China. The Xia Dynasty is the first dynasty mentioned in traditional histories. Around 2600 BC, the Indus Valley civilization had city centers including Harappa, Mohenjo Daro, and Lothal. So, they lasted for roughly 400 years. After the invasion by the Gutians, there was a resurgence of the Sumerian Kingdom around 2050 BC. Later! The Satavahanas took power after the death of Ashoka. The civilizations that lasted the longest seem to be the Aksumite Empire which lasted 1100 years and the Vedic Period of India which lasted 1000 years. 
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon: One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It is also sometimes difficult to pinpoint the exact end of a declining empire unless it was conquered definitively. The only civilization he mentioned, that lasted to Mohammed's day was, the 3 kingdoms of Korea. The main cities were Ashur, Ninevah, and Nimrud with Ashur still the capital. How long will this present Western civilisation last? This is the time when the Palace at Knossos is believed to have begun. The Romans invated Nepata in 23 BC but decided to withdraw instead of colonize. 1081181@online.sd71.bc.ca on February 17, 2017: I was interested in your article and was wondering how lifestyle and living was like during the Assyrian Empire time. It is completely arbitrary and as you accurately point out may not be a valid indication of an "end" of a civilization. Nice summary of civilizations. larryfreeman (author) from Fremont, CA on November 15, 2010: Feel free to post a link to the research. The republic lasted until 44 BC when Julius Caesar was assassinated. In 771 BC, a war is fought between King You and the family of his former queen. Sometime ago you asked me to post a link to my sources. The Kingdom of Goguryeo was founded by Jumong in 37 BC. Natural disasters notwithstanding, all pursued similar social, fiscal, foreign policies that led to their relative success and but also eventual demise. So, the Chaldean Dynasty lasted roughly 80 years. economically they say the real econ power of china will pass U.S by 2016. As far as I have learnt Rome Empire is moved to Constantinople giving continuity to the roman empire for another 1000 years. The New Kingdom lasted from 1570-1070 BC. This is the period of Tutankhamun, Akhenaten, and Ramses II. My goal is to analyze some well known civilizations and see how long they lasted. Their rule began with their successful invasion and ended 108 years later after the Thebans successfully drove the Hyksos out of power. The Old Kingdom fell due to rising power of the regional governors and due to a severe drought that occurred 2200 to 2150 BC. The empire began in 322 with the ascension of Chadragupta Maurya. The same goes for many of the dynasties from India and China that you have listed. Ancient Greece emerges from its dark ages around 776 BC. Harappan Civilization (Indus Valley Civilization). Its capital city was Hattusa. This is the time of Confucius, Lao Tzi, the founder of Daoism. Also, yes being Nubian is the same as being a Kushite. If youre ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. Chogha Zanbil, one of the best preserved ziggurats. Around 200 AD, they were conquered by the Kalabhras. larryfreeman (author) from Fremont, CA on September 23, 2013: My dates are from Wikipedia and some books I own. I will most certainly miss some major civilizations so please add your comments and I will add additional civilizations over time. It lasted until 185 BC when the Sunga Dynasty was founded after the assassination of King Brhadrata. The collapse of the Middle Elamite empire occurs when they they are conquered by Nebuchadnezzar I of Babylonia. Larry, I heared that progress is being made to excavate the ancient Axumite port city of Adulis which is located in Eritrea. The empire lasted roughly 330 years. The empire had begun to fall apart in 232 BC after the death of Ashoka the Great when in-fighting between rulers and invasions from external groups destabilized the empire. Carthage was founded by the Phoenicians in what is today Tunisia. The Hyksos ruled Egypt from1648 BC until 1540 BC. The Acheamenid Empire begins with the rise of Cyrus the Great who won a decisive victory against the Medes in 550 BC. Its so interesting and you did a very good job portraying the theory. The Old Empire fell to Hammurabi's forces. What about another hub on modern empires; Are you going to create one for those as well? The US has large capital flow, technological advantages, whilst it is true that the US stock market, has an enormous capacity to destroy advantage. I'm glad that you enjoyed the hub. The date ranges given, then, are often approximate, and may be contested. Other empires, such as the Saudeleur Dynasty in what is now Pohnpei island, in the Federated States of Micronesia in the South Pacific, imposed a strong centralized government. Then, in 1500 BC, there was perhaps one of the largest volcanic explosions of all time at Thera. Scythians (Central Asia/Eastern Europe). This is much of the recorded human civilization history. The Eparti Dynasty was founded in 1970 BC by Eparti I. Susa once again is the capital. Click here to see the longest-lived empires in history. This lasted from 684 BC to 320 BC. I would like a map showing their locations on the gobe. For while China has rocketed to 7.5 years education, the US is at a critical 10 years education. Anthony Carlo Quintiliani on August 09, 2017: How could you overlook some of the nicest people ever. In another article, I talk about the definition of "civilization." Finding a qualified financial advisor doesnt have to be hard. It ends in 72 AD when it becomes part of the Roman Empire. Would the Phonecians have spoken Greek or Classical Latin in 220 BC during the second Punic Wars? The information at browser is not clear as we know; If you got any information about Elam or Parthian Empire or you know where to get all the information please advice me..! Lydia emerges at the collapse of the New Hittite Kingdom around 690 BC. Its capital is at Arzashkun. This is certaintly going to help with it, as we need to do a large portion of research on many of the ancient civilizations. According to the Bible, the Kingdom of Israel begins with King Saul around 1020 BC with Jerusalem as its capital. Thank you Larry, for this wonderful hub. The Chaldean dynastry also called the Neo-Babylonian Empire lasted from the rise of power of Nabopolassar in 626 BC to the invasions by Persia in 539 BC. During this type Greece was ruled by the Antigonid Dynasty started by Antigonus I "the One-Eye" who was one of Alexander the Great's generals. no money at that time!!! If you take the idea that the hallmarks of a civilisation is to do with common culture, rather than the vagaries of war and politics, then The Egyptian Civilisation lasted for millennia. Given China's historical constants and variables, I believe we can timeline the shelf-life of the Communist Party of China which, in my opinion, has always been just a 'modern' iteration of past imperial dynasties (with its characteristic authoritarian rule, burgeoning commerce, submissive but materially placated and affluent populace). Very thought provoking. Bronze battle axe from the Shang Dynasty period. I must say, this is based far to much on a mix of extrapolation and assumption. I thought that it would be interesting to explore different empires and see how long they lasted. So, the Akkadian Empire lasted roughly 200 years. In many instances, it is impossible to determine a precise founding date for an empire, either because there are no trustworthy historical records or because some empires come into being slowly, beginning with minor dynasties that may turn into empires. 
The Awan Dynasty lasted from 2240 BC to roughly 2083 BC. Historians traditionally divide up Ancient Egypt into three periods. Egypt's first civilization lasted roughly 550 years. So, the Old Empire lasted roughly 250 years. So, it lasted for roughly 520 years. It will be helpful to my 7th grade class. Over time, the empire began to decline. This period is called the Eastern Han Dynasty. They eventually fell to Satavahanas Dynasty. B.C. Great job. The Phoenicians were conquered by Cyrus the Great in 539 BC. According to legend, it was founded by Queen Dido. The dynasty comes to an end in 1122 BC when the Shang lose a major battle to the Zhou and the last Shang leader Shang Zhou commits suicide. In 83 BC, Tigranes the Great, King of Armenia, invaded Syria. The origins of the Etruscans is not well known but it is believed that they began around 800 BC and were prior to Rome, the major power in the region. :-). While it may be true, we may indeed be doomed, I find it disingenuous to parse civilizations into "dynasties" in order to fit the data into this pre-conceived ideology. FISEHA ASFAW KELELE on November 07, 2010: history is for owner who did it. Looking at all these other countries / civilizations should humble us for sure your years lasted are wrong it was about 1500, Everything didn't start and end at the same time. It lasted from 575 BC until 146 BC. This of course raises additional questions: People are mixing definitions "civilization", "era", "empire", etc., and that creates all sorts of confusions. It rose to power and influence with the rise of Hammurabi. I really need concrete dates for the Aksumite Ethiopian Empire. Recently the price per kilowatt hour for solar halved in one year, anyway if we are conservative and take the earlier guestimate, then in 2025 with solar half the price of standard electricity it will even justify changing the installed base. Numidia begins as a Berber Kingdom in 202 BC when Massinissa aligns himself with the Rome in its war against Carthage. Its capital was Vanchi Muthur. Its capital city was Kerma. I would be very glad to hear your point of view. I enjoy any discussion of history, but the author seems to have an agenda. Roughly accounts for a total of 7000 years as we popularly know or say it and as we speak(including the 2000 years AD). I am not sure if you have received my comments. Hi, what you are looking is probably Glubb Pashas monograph over this which states the duration of prosperity of a civilization is to the tune of 250 years. It reaches the peak of its power around 1200-1100 BC. This was a kingdom that lasted from 190 BC until 252 AD. When I break the 56 civilizations down into phases (for example, Ancient Egypt has three phases), the total number of "distinct" civilizations is 74. civilization characteristics dynasty shang ancient china Again, thank you so much. According to legend, the dynasty begins around 2100 BC when the rule Shun abdicated in favor of his minister Yu. Sorry for bothering you with this. The earliest records of the Xiongnu Empire comes from Chinese records. He was executed by the Romans in 104 BC. very interesting. Kelley Marks from Sacramento, California on July 20, 2011: This is a tremendous hub! The Middle Hittite Kingdom begins after Telepinu's rule around 1500 BC. As to the fall or rise of the American Empire, verses the Chinese, whereas the US has been in decline for the entire 4 decades of the Great Stagnation. Hi! The dynasty lasted less than 50 years. Royal Ontario Museum and University of Khartoum researchers found a "tool workshop" south of Dongola, Sudan with thousands of paleolithic axes on rows of stones, dating back 70,000 years. The author all but tells us in the introduction that the idea pre-dates the research, then he parses civilizations into pieces that fit said idea. The Scythians migrated from the Steppes of Central Asia to Southern Russia. The Neo-Assyrian Empire lasted from 934-609 BC. I posited that civilizations peak at the conjunctions of Pluto and Neptune and last around 500 years. The empire lasted until 559 BC when Cyrus the Great succeeded in conquering the Medean Empire. Around 1700 BC, the entire center was destroyed. The early kingdom came to an end around 590 BC when Egypt invaded Nepata. Even those that disappear within a few hundred years can make a significant impact, imparting lasting influence on the arts, science, government, commerce, farming techniques, tradesmen crafts, religion, and urban development, among other human endeavors. (These are ancient civilizations destroyed by natural disasters. That used to stand for Before Christ, but now it should be B.C.E. Hi Larry, I wrote twice already. According to legend, Rome was founded in 753 BC by twin brothers Romulus and Remus after escaping the Trojan War. so the city of babylonian empire was Axum, hey thank for the info it suree help my projet:). Let's say 500 B.C.E. The Kingdom of Silla according to legend was started in 57 BC by Bak Hyeokgeose. Some date back more than 4,500 years, almost to the end of the Stone Age. Magadha was one of the sixteen Mahanjanapada kingdoms. It seems that I was correct in saying that most civilizations do not last more than 500 years. Well I looked on the internet and have 2 different dates. The Kerma Civilization had its high point from 2450 BC to 2050 BC. The average length of time that a civilization lasts is 349.2 years. So, the Carthaginian Empire lasted for roughly 425 years. Christopher Antony Meade from Gillingham Kent. larryfreeman (author) from Fremont, CA on December 02, 2010: @Yoni, I'm glad that you enjoyed this hub. The Achaemenid Empire lasted until its military defeat by Alexander the Great in 330 BC. Egypt, Assyria, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and Anglo-America. The early Chola Empire lasted from 300 BC to 200 AD. Where's the Gupta empire which laid down India's biggest empire having biggest impact over world and which destroyed much of then existing empires.. your list is biased and incomplete.. Larry Freeman, thank you so much for responding. If you believe that the cultures are the same, I would encourage you to write a hub where you put forth your reasoning. In the 5th century B.C. The evidence indicates that this culture declined around 200 BC. It is very enlightening. Around 1800 BC, there are signs of a major decline with ost fo the cities abandoned. From this point, Greece enters into a Dark Age. Sinai took the world out of savagery and barbarism? The Kingdoms of Israel and Judea fall to the Assyrians around 722 BC. The last king, Samsu-Ditana was overthrown after a Hittite invasion. The empire lasted roughly 100 years and it fell to Chandragupta Maurya and his Maurya Empire. The more significant question: How long will the present civilization last? The New Kingdom as a result of a diminishing of central power, the rise of the High Priests of Amun, and a series of droughts. we lived a super life. This first period is called the Western Zhou period. Incidentally, if you include the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium) with the Western Roman Empire, the Roman Empire lasted nearly 2,000 years! Human nature is so interestingreading some of the comments, so many people want to make sure their opinion (culture/agenda) matters. When Alexander died, Seleucid established his empire in Persia around 312 BC. This began a major resurgence of Hittite power. The other point made by "William", one of the last posters, was absolutely correct, too. The Pyramid of the Sun was finished in 100 AD. Other empires, such as the Saudeleur Dynasty in what is now Pohnpei island, in the Federated States of Micronesia in the South Pacific, imposed a strong centralized government. So, it lasted 1100 years. Around 590 BC, the Kushite Kingdom shifted its capital to Meroe which was more secure. The period comes ot an end in 539 BC when they are conquered by the Assyrian Ashurbanipal. Should we call the end of Ottoman Empire a decade or so after the loss of Budapest/Belgrade or 1918 Treaty of Serves? Among the many African-based empires on the list is Abyssinia (Ethiopian Empire), which succeeded in fending off European colonization. So, it lasted roughly 180 years. From 1200 BC, the Mycenaean Civilization has been destroyed. By 1450 BC, the Mycenae have conquered Crete. thanks soooo much for all this info i just hope it's accurate because it a homework assignment :)))). Culminating in the Global Financial Crisis, with the Chinese civilization rebooting, a couple of factors are worth noting, energy and transportation. The Roman Empire begins in 44 BC when Augustus takes absolute power. It appears that during this period, the Elamite region is divided into separate warring regions. According to Herodotus, the Lydians were the first to have gold and silver coins. The queen's son Ji Yijiu becomes king and the capital is moved to Luoyang. The end of Satavahana Dynasty occurs as small dynasties divide up the territory. Axum was the capital city of the Aksumite Empire (see #7 above). Around 400 BC, they had merged to four major kingdoms. Note these are generally ancient civilizations too, there is no mention of the British, American, French, Japanese, pre and post industrial civilizations. I think that the best analysis that I've seen is found in the book Guns, Steel, and Germs by Jared Diamond. Its center was the city of Akkad. Historians place the rise of the first major period of Ancient Egypt's history, known as the Old Kingdom, at around 2686 BC and say that it lasted until 2134 BC. greece ancient did know i've always wondered how some civilisations lost their power after so many years being the rulers of the times. According to Egyptian lore this was accomplished by Menes around 3000 BC. The Medean Empire was found around 625 BC when Cyaxares succeeded in uniting all the Medean tribes under his rule. Seleucid I was a general under Alexander the Great. In 112 BC, the ruler Jugurtha took on Rome and lost. For the Chinese however, our civilization is measured in the success of dynasties which following the Qin Dynasty had the uncanny expiration date of some 300 years. islam muslims many want reform efforts islamic supremacism muslim he sharia victim survivor kill clip death she behind rejects less (, These are ancient civilizations destroyed by natural disasters, Whatever their lifespan, running an empire was a difficult task. Excellent hub - very well researched! So,we see that it lasted roughly 500 years. The period comes to an end in 668 AD when Silla is able to conquer Goguryeo. Unfortunately, there is very little information regarding this period. I'm writing a fictional piece & want the audience to suspend their disbelief. Is it possiple to skip that cvilization?? larryfreeman (author) from Fremont, CA on February 06, 2012: I mean that the system of government changed. Historians believe that it lasted from 1500 to 1430 BC. Especially to build, in those days, on such a geologically hazardous topography and climatology. One of the longest-lasting empires in South America was the Wari civilization that lasted for 500 years and preceded the arrival of the Spanish by half a millenium. The dynasty comes to an end around 207 BC when the Qin are defeated in the Battle of Julu. 
Margot TollefsonConard from Stratford, IA on April 03, 2019: You may have gotten the 500 years from a blog post I put up on WordPress a few years ago. A nearby discovery at El-Barga shed light on foundations of round buildings, graves and pottery shards from 7,500 BC. How long does a civilization last, we cant tell simply because one civilization may take a thousand years to mature, another, like the Mongols, only a few decades. civilizations. An empire comprises many territories ruled by one centralized governing body, often an emperor or other monarch. Recently, I was talking with a colleague at work and I mentioned that civilizations usually only last 500 years. The Neo-Elamite Period is from 742 BC to 539 BC. This is the beginning of Imperial China. The end came in 46 BC. All questions at the end are very interesting to think and ponder on.
Benleg- Delivering the dream
