The Persian empire was first, and effectively invented the idea of a world empire, as well as the mechanics of holding it together (at least so long as Cyrus, Darius and Xerxes were alive).  Had it not been for the Persian empire, who knows if Alexander would have ever come up with the idea.  On the other hand, only the Romans figured out how to institutionalize empire so that it survived the death of charismatic emperors, and for that reason it makes number 2.

Between the British and the Mongol empires, it's pretty close.  But the Mongol empire probably had a larger percentage of the world population, and encompassed one of the great world cultures at the time in China.  Other than India, the British Empire largely consisted of out-of-the-way places the Brits got to first (or won from one of the other European imperial countries).  But it didn't include within its territory another major power. That's why I put it just behind at number 4.

How did my top 5 movie post morph into an historical discussion?  

Disco

PS   The sun never sets on the British Empire   #1

DiscoDadda wrote:
PS   The sun never sets on the British Empire  :sunny: #1

I name thee SIR Discodadda  

Ship me somewheres east of Suez, where the best is like the worst,
Where there aren't no Ten Commandments an' a man can raise a thirst;
For the temple-bells are callin', an' it's there that I would be —
By the old Moulmein Pagoda, looking lazy at the sea;
                   On the road to Mandalay,
                   Where the old Flotilla lay,
                   With our sick beneath the awnings when we went to Mandalay!
                   On the road to Mandalay,
                   Where the flyin'-fishes play,
                   An' the dawn comes up like thunder outer China 'crost the Bay!

In deference to the OP, I will decline to explain why I'm right.    Back to the movies.  Anyone know one about empires?

Bracton wrote:In deference to the OP, I will decline to explain why I'm right.  :tongue:  Back to the movies.  

 

Top 5 films about college life:
Animal House
Wonder Boys
St Elmo's Fire
The Dreamers
The Graduate (OK, so it is set just after college, but I love that film)

ha, enjoying the thread, please keep going

red_bus wrote:

DiscoDadda wrote:
PS   The sun never sets on the British Empire  :sunny: #1

I name thee SIR Discodadda  :D

Ship me somewheres east of Suez, where the best is like the worst,
Where there aren't no Ten Commandments an' a man can raise a thirst;
For the temple-bells are callin', an' it's there that I would be —
By the old Moulmein Pagoda, looking lazy at the sea;
                   On the road to Mandalay,
                   Where the old Flotilla lay,
                   With our sick beneath the awnings when we went to Mandalay!
                   On the road to Mandalay,
                   Where the flyin'-fishes play,
                   An' the dawn comes up like thunder outer China 'crost the Bay!

Top 5 Rudyard Kipling Based Movies

The Man Who Would Be King
Gunga Din
Captain Corageous
Jungle Book

Disco

Top 5 Comedies:

Tommy Boy
Something about Mary
The Cable Guy
Road Trip
Office Space

Top 5 Sports Films:

All The Right Moves
Miracle
Youngblood
Hoosiers
Running Brave

Favorite movie of all time was Stand By Me

Others are...

Slap Shot
Young Guns
Star Wars (first three)
Fellowship of the Ring
Clerks
Conans