What do you think are Europe's greatest historical powers? And Why?

Question

RavVid · Accepted Answer

France of course with the headline rulers of Louis XIV & Napoleon but there are few periods where it wasn't a strong force. For durability it probably ranks highest.

As for England is it part of Europe or is it of Europe but not in Europe? Like Prussian kings having the title of King in Prussia but not King of Prussia. They weren't kings outside Prussia. There always seems some ambiguity with England; its foreign policy was to ignore Europe for a significant period.

I think we have to rate England one of the historic great powers.

The Germanic people are awkward because most of the time there wasn't a Germany. But there was the Holy Roman Empire and Austro-Hungary then the German Empire. Charlemagne was shared with France. Despite the German people being weak much of the time it would seem distorting if we don't slot them in somewhere.

The Ottoman/Turkey is also awkward because it had swathes of Europe but was not a European people.

Peter the Great orientated Russia to Europe. Also awkward as it was of but not in Europe for much of the time.

We can't not think of Rome but it fell. Regardless there have been significant Italian power for significant periods - the venetians for example.

There is Spain. Quite a number of states that have been powerful for periods. The Polish-Lithuanian Empire and Sweden were both at the top. Duration has to count in the figuring.

I think it comes down to a short list of France.

NamerOfStars · Accepted Answer

The go-to is Rome, natch. Then Byzantium, whose descendants to this day insist that they were still "the Roman empire" long after they'd ceased to have anything Roman about them. Then Charlemagne's baby, which was even  less  Roman. Then (briefly) Burgundy, followed by the Ottomans, dovetailing into Spain, France, England, Germany 2: the Revengining!, and finally Russia, which has bounced in and out of power and prestige several times over the centuries.

purplepoppy · Accepted Answer

Was England ever a major power? The British empire perhaps but England, nah not convinced. Even the British empire mostly ruled over primitive spear chucking lands. Medieval England was just a bully boy, Kings largely basing their claims to land on their Norman heritage.

France? Sure it had good short run as a competing super power to the British but apart from the short lived success of Napoleon did they really achieve anything other than take over places that hadn't invented the wheel?

Ottoman? Has anyone outside Turkey even heard of them? Spain? Apart from taking over parts of the Americas what have they really achieved?

I'm going to opt for the Roman empire simply because we still see the echoes of it today across Europe 1500 years after it's collapse. Most of Europe speaks a romance language, Napoleon did not replace the Roman days of the week with his own. British towns still bear Roman names. American as apple pie? Nah apples are Roman. Even the width of train tracks worldwide are largely based on the width of roman carts.

Gwendoline · Accepted Answer

Seems each counyry was powerful at different times but

1. The Roman Empire

2. The British empire

3. The Spainish Empire

4. The Holy Roman empire

5. The French Empire

6. The Portuguese empire

7. The German Empire

8. The 3rd Reich

9. The ottoman empire

10. The Russian empire

FreyaRed · Answer

Powers come and powers go, nothing lasts forever. I guess every country in Europe could claim to be a superpower in last 3 millennia of history. There are some countries which suffer from 'after Empire' mindset eternally like Russia does. However it's result of propaganda and ideological indoctrination.

Maybe_Maybe_not · Answer

Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome's legacies seem to live forever, long after the fall. To me, they spawned political philosophy, ethics, laws, urban development, public infrastructure, military strategies.

Thanks to slave labor.

All of this is still in use, to me, upgraded version though. I'm not certain, but I don't see any worthy competitor so far.

strateguy632 · Answer

I disagree about "size indicated power" because russia attacked where few defenders, as it spread east with Peter the great. In contrast to some answers here.

Same for u. k. stealing india australia etc. Only was stronger than primitives, not real strength.

But u. k. navy had actual power.

Levin · Answer

I think that might have to be England. Don't you think?

DrPepper12 · Answer

Gotta give to the OG Charlemagne!

Bbbuuuutttt also gotta give props to Christendom in general. While not an "empire" was obvs highly influential.

Quick shout out to the Sultans too.

If anyone put Holy Roman Empire I think you should look up Voltaire quote on it... They're wanna be's and posers

April_01 · Answer

Depends on time period.  France or Spain have been powerful for centuries, while Austria declined, but UK and Prussia emerged until become mosr powerful countries in the world at some time

KostasKouvalis · Answer

France, UK, Spain and maybe Russia/Soviet Union a little bit. Just the vast amount of territory they had around the world, and their influence and contributions.

CarolinaGirl5 · Answer

Diversity I believe the first interracial relationships were herere-state//background_color_rgba (0, 0, 0, 0), font_color_rgb (77, 77, 77), justifyLeft

jjj101010 · Answer

The British empire was the biggest of all time and at its peak covered 26.35% of the earth, the next biggest European empire was the Russian at 16.92% followed by the Spanish at 10.17%. So I guess there is your top 3

andreasderjuengere · Answer

The Cherusci. We managed to kick out the much superiour Romans. Who else did?  The Scottish :)

NathanDavis · Answer

Spain and England the most spoken languages around the entire globe

Anonymous · Answer

Rome, and the British empire were among the largest in history, the Spanish empire was also huge.

Amur8711 · Answer

In my mind Rome, Spain, France, Great Britain, Germany, maybe Austria-Hungaryre-state//background_color_rgba (0, 0, 0, 0), font_color_rgb (77, 77, 77), justifyLeft

Noodle_fan · Answer

I would say uk , queen victoria had 1/4 of the world on her hand

OddBeMe · Answer

Britain has been the bane of napolean, hitler etc.

Liz1990 · Answer

Germany the lost two world wars. Yet they are one of the richest countries in the world.

Lynx122 · Answer

Roman Empire numba 1 :)

WhitneySnow · Answer

What year is that from?

Dargil · Answer

Britain, Spain.

noohair · Answer

Where is the Roman empire on this map?

Anonymous · Answer

Land force - Russia. Navy force - UK.

TheCoffeeisHot · Answer

France, UK

hornybutterfly69 · Answer

Hector, troy

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