The Strongest Country Of Each Century

Undoubtedly, United States is the most powerful country today, but have you ever wondered about the list of strongest countries of each century? I have curated a list.

Pre-Islam

• 1^st Century : Roman Empire (Italy)
  • The Roman Empire controlled vast territories in 1st century. It includes most of Europe, North Africa, and Middle East (Egypt, Syria, Turkey). King Augustus (27 BC – AD 14) was the most successful emperor.
• 2^nd  Century : Han Dynasty (China)
  • The Han Dynasty spread across whole of China, Mongolia, some parts of Korean Peninsula and modern day Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. Emperor Wu (Liu-Che) (141-87 BC) extended the empire to its greatest extent.
• 3^rd  Century : Sassanian Empire (Iran)
  • Originated in Iran, the Sassanian Empire (also known as Sassanid Empire) controlled parts of several countries. This includes Iran, Iraq, Armenia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Zoroastrianism flourished under powerful emperors like Ardashir I and Shapur I.  
• 4^th  Century : Gupta Empire (India)
  • Gupta Empire’s reign is also known as Golden Age of India. Its flourished from 320 to 550 AD. At its prime, the empire controlled all the parts of Northern, Eastern, Western and Central India. Chandragupta II (Chandragupta Vikramaditya) is regarded as the most successful King. The famous Poet Kalidasa and Mathematician Aryabhatta were his contemporary.
• 5^th  Century : Byzantine Empire (Italy)
  • Their Territories included Greece, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Egypt, North Africa and Italy. Emperor Theodosius II (408-450 AD) was the crusader. He fppunded the University of Constantinople, The Theodosian Code built defense-wall “Theodosian Walls of Constantinople”.
• 6^th  Century : Sui Dynasty (China)
  • They controlled most of the China and Vietnam. Emperor Wen (Yang Jian) is the most successful Sui emperor. He initiated the construction of The Grand Canal.

After Origin of Islam

• 7^th  Century : Arab Caliphates
  • With rise of Islam religion, Rashidun Caliphate (632–661 AD) expanded the Arab Empire in almost all of the middle East region and North Africa. Abu Bakr was the 1^st Caliph after death of Prophet Muhammad. Later on, Kings of Umayyad Caliphate (661–750 AD) expanded further to Spain, parts of Central Asia and Indian Subcontinent.
• 8^th  Century : Tang Dynasty (China)
  • Its expanded from China to outer Mongolia, Central Asia and parts of Northern Vietnam. Noted Emperor is  Xuanzong (712–756 AD).
• 9^th  Century : Abbasid Caliphate (Iraq)
  • Their territories included whole of Middle East, Central Asia and North Africa. Most Successful Caliphs were Harun al-Rashid (786–809 AD) and Al-Ma’mun (813–833 AD).
• 10^th  Century : Byzantine Empire (Turkey)
  • They reigned on countries like Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Southern Italy, Syria, Lebanon, Armenia, Cyprus and Israel/Palestine. Basil II, also known as “Basil the Bulgar Slayer,” is one of the most famous and successful Byzantine emperors.
• 11^th Century : Song Dynasty (China)
  • Song Dynasty’s regions included China and South East Coast. Their prudent Emperor was Zhenzong (997–1022 AD).
• 12^th Century : Holy Roman Empire (Germany)
  • The Holy Roman Empires territory in the 12^th Century included Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Most successful emperors include Emperor Henry V (1111–1125 AD), Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa (1155–1190 AD) and Emperor Henry VI (1191–1197 AD).
• 13^th Century : Mongol Empire (Mongolia)
  • Genghis Khan (Temüjin) (c. 1162–1227 AD) founded Mongol Empire and expanded across Asia and Europe.
• 14^th Century : Ming Dynasty (China)
  • The Ming Dynasty ended Mongol dominance and reestablished Chinese rule. It controlled whole of China, parts of Northern Vietnam and inner Mongolia. Zhu Yuanzhang founded Ming Dynasty and is considered as one of the most prominent rulers in Chinese history.

Rise of Ottoman Empire

• 15^th Century : Ottoman Empire (Turkey)
  • The Ottoman Empire spread across South-East Europe, Middle East, North Africa, Eastern European countries and Black Sea coast. Mehmed II, also known as “Mehmed the Conquerer” was the most successful emperor who captured Constantinople in 1453, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire and transforming the city into the Ottoman capital, Istanbul.
• 16^th Century : Spanish Empire
  • Colonization initiated by Spanish Empire in Americas, Caribbean, Philippines, parts of Indonesia, northern coast of Africa and some parts of Algeria. King Charles V and Philip II were top Monarchs.
• 17^th Century : Mughal Empire (India)
  • Mughal Dynasty covered most of India. Mohammad Akbar (reigned 1556–1605 AD) was prominent King followed by Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb.

The Rise and Fall of British Kingdom

• 18^th Century : British empire (UK)
  • The British Empire’s territories expanded across North America, Canada, The Caribbean, India, Africa, Australia and Pacific and some parts of Europe. King George III is notable for the American revolution, the Industrial Revolution, expansion in India and leading Britain during the Napoleonic Wars. The Great Britain was the strongest country in 18th Century..
• 19^th Century : Russian Empire (Russia)
  • The Russian Empire included European Russia, Siberia, Central Asia, Alaska and Eastern Europe. Top Tsars includes Alexander I, he played an important role in defeat of Napoleon.
• 20^th Century : British Empire
  • 20^th Century was a period of both rise and fall of British Empire. It begun as the largest empire in History but shrunk after World War II. Their territories included major parts of British Isles, North America, Caribbean, Africa, South Asia, Middle East, Australasia, and Pacific Islands. British colonization flourished under King Edward VII (reigned 1901–1910 AD).
• 21^st Century : United States
  • Well, you already know why USA is the strongest country in 21st Century. 😉