Great and powerful families have ruled over countless lives since the first civilization was born. There are empires that have stretched across continents and held power over billions of people.

Over the last 100 years, though, almost all of those empires fell. Revolutions around the world have cast out the people who once held that power, stripped them of their wealth, and left them to fend for themselves. Today, heirs to those empires live in ways that are incredibly humbling—and a little bit strange.

10 The Last King Of Rwanda Lives Off Food Stamps In Virginia

King Kigeli, the last king of Rwanda, ruled his nation for a mere nine months before a Hutu revolt in 1959 forced him into exile.

Today, 79-year-old Kigeli receives food stamps and lives in government-subsidized Section 8 housing in Virginia. To get by, he sells knighthoods into the kingdom of Rwanda to anyone willing to pay. Most of his neighbors have no idea that he was once the king of an African country.

Still, Kigeli insists on being treated like a ruler. For example, he refuses to drive himself anywhere. His chauffeur holds the title of Kigeli’s chancellor, although this dignitary has to make ends meet with a part-time job selling mattresses at Sears.

9 The Last Prince Of Italy Was Charged With Pimping

When the Italian monarchy was abolished in 1946, the royal family was forced into exile, forbidden to return for 54 years. Vittorio Emanuele di Savoia, the heir to the throne, was forced to live away from his country and the power his family had enjoyed—and it didn’t turn out well.

In 1978, he inexplicably decided to point a rifle out of his yacht and blindly fire at the darkness. He accidentally hit and killed a German tourist. Vittorio spent 13 years fighting a manslaughter charge of which he was eventually acquitted.

When he reappeared in Italy, he soon found himself working as a pimp for the Sicilian Mafia and was caught supplying prostitutes to its high rollers. The charge finally landed him behind bars.

To his credit, Vittorio keeps his head up. After getting his first taste of prison food, he declared, “In Italy, you can eat well everywhere.”

8 The Last King Of Egypt Shot Two Lions In A Zoo

Although Fuad II was technically the last king of Egypt, he only “reigned” as an infant during 1952–53 after his father, King Farouk, was forced to abdicate in a coup. From 1936 to 1952, however, King Farouk was the last king to actually rule Egypt. Farouk enjoyed all the luxuries of royalty, but it left him a bit disconnected from everyday life—and common sense.

Near the start of World War II, Farouk was plagued with a recurring nightmare in which he was chased by a lion. Troubled, he called his wisest adviser, El-Maraghi, and asked what his dream meant. “You will not rest until you have slain those lions,” El-Maraghi told him.

Farouk took his advice—literally. He grabbed a gun, walked to the local zoo, and shot two lions dead in their cages. Then he returned home and told El-Maraghi what he had done.

El-Maraghi spent the rest of the day explaining to the king what a metaphor is.

7 The Last Emperor Of China Lived As ‘Prisoner No. 981’

Pu Yi became emperor of China when he was two years old. He lost his title three years later, but he was kept in such seclusion inside his palace, surrounded by servants who played out a fantasy kingdom, that he didn’t find out that he wasn’t the emperor for a full 10 years.

He got his position back when Japan made him the emperor of the puppet state of Manchuria. When Japan surrendered, though, Pu Yi was sent to a Chinese prison. He expected to be killed.

Instead, he was sentenced to tend vegetables in a prison. There, he was forced to live as a commoner under the label “Prisoner No. 981.”

Pu Yi was a model prisoner. He impressed the Communist Party enough that they actually let him go. He spent his last years in freedom, working part-time as an assistant gardener.

6 The Emperor Of Korea Manages A Home Shopping Network

Korea no longer bestows the title “Emperor” on the heads of its royal family. If they did, though, it would be held by Yi Won, the adopted son of the last ruler, Yi Gu. In 2005, Yi Gu died and the royal family chose to pass the title to Yi Won.

Before, though, Yi Won wasn’t living as a prince in a castle. He was the general manager of Hyundai’s Home Shopping Network. The Korean royalty today doesn’t pass much on to their children, so the crown prince had to make ends meet by hawking goods through mail order catalogues.

Yi Won’s job, though, was actually lucrative compared to the rest of his family. Another candidate for the throne, Yi Seok, currently runs a liquor store in the US.

5 The Heir To The Ottoman Empire Is A Retired Librarian

For 622 years, the Ottoman royal family ruled an empire that spanned three continents. Then, in 1924, the family was given a one-way passport out of Turkey and told not to return.

Prince Bayazid, the current heir to the throne, wasn’t allowed to tell anyone that he was the heir to a dynasty. So he lived a lot like anyone else. He had to fight to get a job at the New York Public Library. Initially, the library ignored the application because it had a foreign name—until Bayazid begged for the job.

When they realized he could speak 15 languages, the library made Bayazid a translator. But he often wasn’t allowed to put his name on his work because the library was worried that a Turkish name on Armenian documents would upset people.

Bayazid worked at the library for 45 years before he retired. He still lives in New York.

4 The Nepalese Royal Family Ended In A Murder-Suicide

In 1990, the Kingdom of Nepal started to come to an end when the People’s Movement put strict limitations on the royal family’s power. It was the crown prince, though, who brought the kingdom to a crashing halt—in a horrific way.

Prince Dipendra had fallen in love with a woman named Devyani Rana whom he had met in England and intended to marry. His family, however, did not approve. His mother threatened to pull him out of the line of succession if he married her, and fights between family members escalated.

On June 1, 2001, Dipendra picked up a gun and massacred 10 members of his family before turning the gun on himself. In the process, he wiped out the entire royal family and its main line of succession. Nepal’s monarchy was abolished shortly afterward.

3 The King Of Cambodia Is A Professional Ballet Dancer

Norodom Sihamoni never wanted to be king of Cambodia. As a young man, he studied cinematography, going to North Korea in pursuit of a better education—which says a lot about the state of Cambodia.

His true passion, though, was ballet. Sihamoni left for France and became a respected dancer, performing classical pieces in theaters until he was called back to the palace. His father had abdicated the throne, and feeling it was his responsibility, Sihamoni took his place on the throne.

Today, Sihamoni is a figurehead with no power. International news has described him as a “puppet king” while the people of Cambodia reportedly describe him as “sad, lonely, and abandoned.” Sihamoni has no children and no heir, and it is expected that the Kingdom of Cambodia will die with him.

2 The Heir To India’s Mughal Empire Lives In A Slum

The fifth emperor of the Mughal Empire built the Taj Mahal, and at their peak, the empire ruled over one-quarter of the world’s population.

Today, the current claimant to the throne is Sultana Begum, the great-granddaughter-in-law of the last Mughal emperor. She married the male heir, Bedar Bukht, who lived in hiding out of fear that British imperialists would have him killed. Bukht sold charms and talismans, earning a wage that Begum called “too meager for survival.”

Since Bukht’s death, Begum has been living in a shack in a slum where she runs a tea shop. She also receives a political pension of 400 rupees a month—the equivalent of $6.

1 The Emperor Of Japan Is An Expert On Goby Fish

In all the world, only one man still enjoys the title of “Emperor”: Emperor Akihito of Japan. Even Akihito, though, is nothing more than a figurehead with a few ceremonial duties.

To pass the time, Akihito studies goby fish. Using a biological lab inside his Imperial Palace, he spends most of his time examining the fish and writing his observations.

Today, Akihito is one of the world’s leading experts on goby fish. He has published 38 peer-reviewed scientific studies on the topic and recently contributed 350 pages on one suborder of goby fish to a book.

With no real power, it’s reasonable to assume that even his position as emperor will fade soon. The Japanese empire will crumble to dust and be swept away, like the ends of countless empires before it.

+Further Reading

The higher you are, the further you have to fall! Here are some recommended lists from the archives for further reading on this fascinating subject:

10 Wild Adventures Of Former Royals
Top 10 Pretenders to the Thrones of Europe
10 Mysteries Surrounding Royal Children
Top 10 Scandals That Rocked Royal Families
10 Mysteries And Secrets Surrounding British Royalty

Most battles are only one of many that help to decide the fate of kingdoms and empires. On occasion, however, there is a battle so epic that its outcome can lead to the complete destruction of civilizations, a decline from which they never recover, or their handing over to a greater force. Here are ten ancient battles that ended empires, destroyed armies, and changed history.

10 The Battle Of Muye
1046 BC

The Battle of Muye was fought between the tribes of Zhou against the Shang Dynasty for control over China. The Zhou army consisted of 50,000 skilled soldiers, while the much stronger Shang forces exceeded 530,000, with an additional 170,000 armed slaves. The Shang slaves defected to the Zhou, which greatly demoralized the remaining soldiers, many of whom also defected. The ensuing battle was fierce, and the Shang forces were easily defeated by the better-trained Zhou.

When the battle was over, the Shang Dynasty was destroyed, and the Zhou Dynasty was established. King Di Xin of the Shang Dynasty immolated himself following the defeat, leaving China open for rule by the Zhou. The Zhou Dynasty holds the distinction of being the longest-reigning dynasty in Chinese history.

9 Sicilian Expedition
415–413 BC

As the Peloponnesian War was being fought in Greece, Athens sent an expedition to Syracuse, the most powerful state on the island of Sicily. The expedition began as a light force of 20 ships before being boosted into a naval armada of more than 200 ships with over 10,000 troops. By the time the armada reached Syracuse, the city was already supported by Sparta. The entire fleet and its troops were either killed or surrendered to the Sicilians, resulting in a massive blow to Athenian manpower and morale.

The defeat was so widespread that it became the turning point in the war. It is considered to be the most devastating single loss of any similar expedition in history, and Athens never fully recovered, ensuring Sparta’s victory by the end of the conflict in 404 BC.

8 The Battle Of Changping
262–260 BC

The Battle of Changping was one of the bloodiest battles of China’s Warring States Period. It was fought between the states of Qin and Zhao. The Qin army had a numeric advantage over the Zhao, with the Qin’s force totaling 550,000 men versus Zhao’s 450,000. Nearly all of the Zhao army was killed in the aftermath of the fighting. Approximately 50,000 Zhao were killed in the battle, and an estimated 400,000 were captured and buried alive.

Zhao was unable to recover from the defeat, which only bolstered Qin’s standing among the remaining states, which could not mount a large enough alliance to challenge the Qin. The Warring States period continued for three decades, but the continuous expansion of Qin made the issue of their dominance a certainty. By 221 BC, Qin had successfully unified China.

7 The Battle Of Julu
207 BC

The Battle of Julu was fought between the rebel forces of the insurgent state of Chu and the Qin Dynasty. The rebels amassed a force of between 50,000 to 60,000 men to fight against a Qin army of 200,000. The Chu were commanded by Xiang Yu, who sent his men across the Yellow River with only three days of supplies and no means of procuring more without successfully defeating and pillaging the enemy. What followed were nine bloody engagements that resulted in more than 100,000 Qin deaths.

The crippling defeat forced the Qin commander, General She Jian, to throw himself into a fire rather than surrender. The Chu destroyed the remaining Qin army, leaving 200,000 men as prisoners of war. Not wanting to test their loyalty or the limits of his resources, Xiang Yu had all of the captured Qin soldiers buried alive.

6 The Battle Of Zama
202 BC

The Battle of Zama marked the end of the Second Punic War and resulted in the defeat of Hannibal. Under the command of Scipio, the Romans devised a plan to defeat Hannibal’s war elephants.

Roman skirmishers blew their horns and beat their drums, frightening several of the elephants, which turned and rampaged against the Carthaginian troops. The remaining elephants ran harmlessly through the columns and were easily dispatched. The battle intensified as each line clashed until the Roman cavalry was able to encircle the Carthaginian infantry and win the battle.

Hannibal escaped, though his losses were severe: 20,000 dead and 20,000 more captured. The loss was so devastating to Carthage that they were never able to challenge Rome again.

5 The Battle Of Mobei
119 BC

The Battle of Mobei (or the Battle of the Northern Desert) was a hard-fought military campaign led by the Han Dynasty against the Xiongnu, a nomadic tribe. The Xiongnu were barbarians to the Han, who had maintained a contentious relationship over the years due to the security of their northern borders. Xiongnu strength had increased following the fall of Qin and the Chinese Civil War, but the Han launched an offensive to challenge their strength.

A force of 300,000 men and 140,000 horses attacked a much smaller Xiongu force of 100,000 soldiers and 80,000 horses. The victory was decisive for the Han, but they suffered the loss of most of their horses, which took a toll on their economy.

The Xiongnu suffered a much greater loss and were never able to recover from their defeat. Within a few years, the Xiongnu would be nothing more than a small group of clans.

4 The Siege Of Alesia
52 BC

By September 52 BC, the forces of Julius Caesar were facing a confederation of Gallic tribes commanded by Vercingetorix. In the final engagement between Rome and Gaul, Caesar conducted one of the most tactful sieges in history. With a force of 12 legions (approximately 60,000 men) and 120,000 Gaul allied-auxiliaries, Caesar besieged a Gallic force nearly four times the size of his.

The battle itself is considered to be one of Caesar’s greatest military achievements due to his use of a circumvallation around Alesia. He ordered the construction of numerous, heavily fortified forts to encircle and blockade the city so that he could “starve out” the Gallic forces. His investment paid off, as the Gauls failed to break the Roman defenses despite numerous attempts, further weakening themselves. By the end of the battle, Vercingetorix was surrendered to Caesar. The Siege of Alesia ended Gallic independence from Rome and won a substantial victory for Caesar.

3 The Battle Of Philippi
42 BC

Caesar’s conquest of Gaul created a political crisis in Rome, which lead to civil war. He was soon assassinated by members of the Roman Senate, which sparked a second civil war declared by the Second Triumvirate of Mark Antony and Octavian. The forces of Brutus and Cassius fought their final battle against the Triumvirate at Philippi in 42 BC.

The battle was split into two fronts, which saw Antony face Cassius and Octavian against Brutus. Antony made short work of Cassius and defeated much of his army. Cassius committed suicide on the false report that Brutus’ forces were likewise destroyed, even as those men were forcing their way into Octavian’s legions’ camps. Antony joined Octavian, and the two overwhelmed Brutus, who committed suicide in defeat.

With the last remnants of the old Republic destroyed, the Triumvirate took control of Rome, which soon became a new empire under Caesar Augustus (Octavian).

2 The Battle Of Teutoburg Forest
AD 9

If the Roman Republic and Empire were known for anything, it was their rapid and continuous expansion throughout Europe and Asia. It took mighty armies of unregulated barbarian tribes to put much of this expansion to a final halt in AD 9, after the Battle of Teutoburg Forest. The battle was the result of an ambush made by an alliance of Germanic tribes, who attacked and completely destroyed three Roman legions and their auxiliaries.

The blow was devastating to Roman morale, and despite several successful incursions in the following years, Rome never again attempted to defeat the Germanic tribes north of the Rhine. The Battle of Teutoburg Forest is remembered as one of the worst defeats in Roman history as well as a turning point in their military strategy of northward expansion.

1 The Battle Of Edessa
AD 260

Roman and Persian forces clashed in a devastating defeat for the Romans at the Battle of Edessa in AD 260. Under the command of Emperor Valerian, the Roman Army of 70,000 men attacked the Sassanid forces under the command of Shapur I, king of the kings. The entirety of the Roman army was defeated and captured, including Emperor Valerian—the first time such an event had occurred in Roman history.

Rome never fully recovered from their defeat at Edessa, which had long-lasting impacts on the political climate of the empire. The defeat was one in a long series of crises that afflicted Rome during the third century, which ultimately led to the creation of the Western Roman Empire in 285. Eventually, the Western Roman Empire fell, and Rome continued weakly into the fifth century after the Eastern Roman Empire (aka theByzantine Empire) rose to power in 330.

History is the study of the past through written documents, which means that most people technically didn’t make it into history at all. Traditional historians weren’t very interested in recording the fate of random peasants. But every so often, these forgotten people would force their way into the history books. Some even defied the aristocrats of the time and founded great empires of their own.

10Ya’qub The Coppersmith

Ya’qub al-Saffar (“the Coppersmith”) was an impoverished metalworker who lived in the city of Zaranj in the mid-ninth century. His brother, a mule driver named ‘Amr, lived close by. For most of their lives, eastern Persia was in a state of turmoil as the Abbasid caliphs vied for control with an extremist sect known as the Kharijites. As things descended into anarchy, local self-defense militias sprang up throughout the province. In Zaranj, Ya’qub and ‘Amr volunteered to join one such group.

Over the next few years, Ya’qub took control of the local forces, defeated the bandits plaguing the area, and expanded his power throughout the region. By 876, the Saffarid Empire spanned throughout modern Iran and Afghanistan. Ya’qub himself seemed certain to conquer Baghdad, overthrowing the mighty Abbasid Caliphate.

But it wasn’t to be. The Coppersmith suffered a narrow defeat just 50 miles from Baghdad. Wounded in the battle, he died three years later and was succeeded by his brother ‘Amr, who was unable to hold the empire together and was executed in a Baghdad marketplace.

9Rabih Az-Zubayr

Rabih Az-Zubayr was born in the Sudan at some point in the mid-19th century. Sold into servitude as a child, he became a slave-soldier for a local Sudanese ruler. When this prince was defeated by the Egyptians, Rabih fled into central Africa with around 400 survivors, who would form the kernel of his empire.

Attacking towns and villages as he went, Rabih built his ragged group of survivors into an army of 5,000 trained soldiers, complete with an artillery brigade. In the 1890s, he attacked the once-mighty Bornu Empire and quickly overran it. With impressive efficiency, he formed a tightly controlled empire east in the African interior east of Lake Chad.

Unfortunately for Rabih, his expanding empire ran up against the equally acquisitive French, and his outdated rifles and cannons were no match for the latest European military hardware. He still won several victories, including exterminating a French expedition at Togbao, but he was ultimately defeated and killed on the banks of the Logone River in 1900, bringing his empire to an end after less than a decade.

8Nader Shah

The last of the great Central Asian conquerors was born into a lowly family of herders in eastern Persia. His should have been a humble life, but Nader Shah was driven by a monomaniacal desire for power. He seems to have spent a short time as a slave early in life, before escaping and becoming a bandit. After his armed band helped defeat a local warlord, Nader came to the attention of Prince Tahmasb, a pretender to the throne.

Tahmasb made Nader his commander, which proved to be the best and worst decision he ever made. Nader was one of the greatest generals in history and quickly won numerous victories. But he was also unwilling to be a mere servant and murdered Tahmasb and claimed the throne himself, creating a mighty empire that stretched from Georgia to northern India.

In 1739, Nader launched his famous invasion of the Mughal Empire. After crushing the massive Mughal army, Nader sacked Delhi, making off with unimaginable treasures, including the famed Koh-i-Noor diamond. So much wealth was extracted from Delhi that Nader was able to cancel all taxes in Persia for three years.

Unfortunately, Nader began to show signs of mental degeneration, including bizarre acts of cruelty. In 1741, he had his oldest son blinded, then immediately claimed to regret it. Alarmed by his instability, a group of his own officers assassinated him in 1747, and his empire quickly fell apart.

7Timur The Lame

Nader’s career was impressive, but not that original—-he was merely following in the footsteps of another great and bloody conqueror: Timur the Lame (often known as Tamerlane in the West). Like Nadir, Timur was born to a humble family and became a petty bandit. Early records of his life say that he was once stealing some sheep when an angry shepherd fired arrows into his leg and arm, leaving him with minor disabilities (these injuries were confirmed by archaeologists who opened his tomb in 1941).

Timur took his group into the service of the Chaghatai Khans, then rose through their service and ultimately usurped the throne. He built a massive army of horsemen who raided and conquered in all directions, creating an army that ruled “from Damascus to Delhi.” He defeated the Golden Horde, razed Baghdad, and briefly destroyed the power of the Ottomans (Sultan Bayezid the Thunderbolt died as a prisoner of Timur).

Timur became known for the brutality of his conquests. He built towers of skulls, enslaved thousands, and wiped out ancient cities. He died of a bad cold in 1405, on his way to invade China, leaving his empire to disintegrate in his wake.

6James Brooke

James Brooke was born the son of a reasonably wealthy British judge, and he might have been expected to live out his life in comfortable obscurity. But James never seemed comfortable in 19th-century British society. When his father died, he used the inheritance to buy an armed schooner and sailed east.

In Singapore, he heard that the Sultan of Brunei was struggling to exert control over the island of Borneo. Brooke at once offered to help out, on the condition that he be made governor of Sarawak, a huge territory along the coast of the island. The Sultan was unenthusiastic, but was reluctant to challenge Brooke, who was falsely implying that he worked for the British government. He agreed, only for Brooke to rapidly assert his independence as the “White Rajah” of Sarawak.

Brooke cemented his new kingdom by forming an alliance with the coastal “Sea Dyaks,” who massacred the inland tribes whenever they stepped out of line. Brooke himself funded his operation as a pirate hunter, claiming the Royal Navy’s £20 reward for each pirate killed. This netted him up to £30,000 per expedition, although cynics noted that the dead “pirates” tended to be local opponents of Brooke.

Brooke consistently tried to present himself as a jolly English adventurer, but his rule was founded on bloodshed, including the massacre of 1,500 Chinese in 1857. The state of Sarawak outlived him, passing through the hands of two more “White Rajahs,” before the British bought it in 1946.

5The Mahdi Of Sudan

Muhammad Ahmad was born on an island in the Nile, not far from Dongola in northern Sudan. His family were humble boat-builders, but he sought a religious education from a young age and became known for intense devotion and arguing with his teachers. In 1881, he called his followers to Aba Island and declared himself the Mahdi, a messianic figure expected to appear before the Day of Judgment in most branches of Islam.

At the time, Sudan was ruled by Egypt, which in turn was effectively a British protectorate. This dual foreign influence was heavily resented, and it was taken as a miracle when the Mahdi’s poorly armed followers defeated an Egyptian attempt to arrest him. His religious movement grew rapidly in strength over the next few years, culminating in the stunning defeat of the British general “Hicks Pasha” in 1883.

In late 1884, the Mahdists launched their famous siege of Khartoum, which was stoutly defended by Charles Gordon, better known as “Chinese Gordon,” an oddball British general who was probably their equal in religious fanaticism. The city fell in 1885, leaving Muhammad Ahmad undisputed ruler of a religious empire stretching across modern Sudan. However, “the Mahdi” fell ill and died six months later. With the heart of their movement gone, his followers were not able to defeat a new Anglo-Egyptian invasion in in 1896.

4Babak Khorramdin

Over 150 years after the Muslim conquest of modern Iran, tensions remained high between the Arab caliphs and their Persian subjects. Many Persians continued to follow the Zoroastrian religion and resented the influence of Arab language and culture. The brewing revolution found a leader in Babak Khorramdin, a zealous follower of the Zoroastrian prophet Mazdak.

Babak began his career as a guerrilla fighter, launching lightning raids to seize isolated mountain fortresses, including his famously impenetrable castle of Ghaleye Babak. As his reputation grew, Persians flocked to his banner and by 819 his forces were capable of fighting pitched battles against the Caliph’s armies. Over the next 16 years, he defeated four Arab armies and gained a reputation as a protector of the poor.

But the might of the Abbasid Caliph was too great, and Babak was ultimately driven from his mountain stronghold and captured. His arms and legs were cut off, and he was allowed to bleed to death. Shortly before his capture, he had famously rejected an offer of amnesty, declaring that it was “better to live a single day as a ruler than 40 years as an abject slave.”

3Mahapadma Nanda

According to the Greek historian Curtius, the mighty ruler Mahapadma started life as the son of “a barber who earned just enough to eat each day. But he had a fine presence and thus gained the queen’s affection. Thanks to her influence, he obtained a position of trust . . . treacherously assassinated the king and, under the pretext of protecting the royal children, usurped the supreme authority.”

Indian sources agree, calling Mahapadma the son of a barber and a prostitute who rose from extremely humble beginnings to become prime minister of a north Indian kingdom, then overthrew the king and established his own dynasty. He was known for slaughtering rival nobles and refusing to follow the aristocratic rules of warfare, to the point that the Puranas dub him “the destroyer of the princely order.” Such ruthless tactics worked well, and by his death in 329 BC, he had expanded his rule to form the most powerful empire India had ever seen.

2The Slave Dynasty Of Delhi

Qutb al-Din Aibak was the founder of the “Slave Dynasty” that ruled northern India in the 13th century. As the name implies, he started life as a slave in Nishapur and was sold to Sultan Muhammad of Ghor. As an adult, he was placed in charge of the royal stables and later became a military commander, where he showed his true talent by conquering Delhi and most of northern India.

After the Sultan was assassinated by unknown assailants, Qutb found himself in the perfect position to seize power, which he duly did. Before he could become sultan, he had to gain his freedom, but his heavily armed soldiers ensured that his new owner was unlikely to refuse. The Mamluk (“Slave”) dynasty he founded would rule the Delhi Sultanate until 1290, when it was replaced by a more aristocratic lineage.

1Temujin

It’s impossible to imagine a worse childhood than that of Temujin, the greatest conqueror the world has ever known. When he was 12, his father was poisoned by his enemies, prompting the tribe to abandon his widow and orphans, leaving them with nothing. His mother, Hoelun, managed to keep the children alive by gathering food along the banks of a river, while the young Temujin hunted rats, marmots, and other small game. At 14, he killed his half-brother after an argument over a small fish.

It only got worse from there. At some point, he was captured by the Tayichiuds and forced to work as a slave. A failed escape attempt resulted in him being placed in a cangue, a stock-like device that left him unable to feed himself. He only survived thanks to the assistance of other slaves, before finally staging a successful escape by hiding in a river overnight.

Even as a young adult, Temujin was merely the head of a small band, barely scraping out an existence on the steppe. It was only when his young wife Borte was kidnapped by the Merkids and Temujin put together an expedition to rescue her that he truly started on the path to becoming the immortal Genghis Khan.

From Ancient Egypt to Rome to Britain, history is full of great empires that have had a major impact on the story of human civilization, though we’re not here to talk about them. Instead, we’re more interested in the empires and civilizations that have been left out of history books, probably because many of them existed so long ago that we’ve sort of forgotten about them. 

10. Maurya Empire

Lasting from about 321 to 185 BCE, the Maurya Empire was the first empire to cover most of the Indian subcontinent, with its capital at Pataliputra near modern-day Patna. It was established by Chandragupta Maurya, who was succeeded by his son Bindusara and later by Emperor Ashoka, also sometimes called Ashoka the Great.

The Maurya Empire’s rise to power began after the overthrow of the Nanda dynasty. Under Ashoka’s reign, the empire expanded through military conquest and diplomacy, leading to long periods of relative prosperity for the subcontinent. The region benefited from the efficient Mauryan administrative system, which included a network of officials and an efficient system of taxation. The rulers encouraged trade, particularly along the Silk Road, and engaged in economic activities like agriculture, manufacturing, and commerce on a large scale. 

9. Caliphate Of Córdoba

From January, 929 to 1031, the city of Cordoba in Spain served as the capital of one of the most successful Islamic states in history, also known as the Caliphate of Cordoba. Established after the conquest of the Christian kingdoms in the region, it would grow to be one of the most successful states in the larger Islamic empire, with Cordoba serving as the center of arts and science across the Iberian peninsula. 

The period is regarded as one of the golden ages of Spain, when libraries, colleges, and public schools were established throughout the territory to encourage academic learning. During this time, fields like science, architecture, and poetry flourished in Cordoba, making it one of the centers of education and scholarship in the larger Islamic empire. It was also a successful trading city, turning Spain into the most populous and prosperous country in Europe at the time. 

8. Xiongnu Empire

The Xiongnu Empire was a nomadic empire that existed from the third century BC to the first century AD. It was primarily located in central Asia and stretched across much of the Eurasian Steppe, including present-day Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and parts of China and Russia. The Xiongnu Empire was established by various nomadic tribes, with the Xiongnu people emerging as the dominant force under their leader, Modu Chanyu, who gained power after killing his father in 209 BC.

The empire experienced many periods of prosperity and expansion during its reign. The Xiongnu were skilled horse riders and fierce warriors, enabling them to conquer vast territories and establish a network of tributary states across central Asia for more than 500 years. They controlled key trading hubs, facilitated cultural exchange, and engaged in diplomacy with neighboring powers, like the Han Dynasty of China. The Xiongnu Empire would have a significant impact on Chinese history, too, with frequent conflicts and alliances shaping the geopolitical landscape of the region for years to come.

7. Tiwanaku Empire

Tiwanaku was a pre-Columbian civilization that existed from approximately 400 to 900 AD in the southern Andes region of South America. It was mostly centered around the southern shore of Lake Titicaca, spanning parts of present-day Bolivia, Peru, and Chile. The empire was named after its capital city, Tiwanaku, and was responsible for the construction of impressive architectural structures and intricate stone carvings throughout the Andes region.

It was established by the Tiwanaku people, who created a centralized authority led by priests and nobles, along with an efficient system of administration. The empire experienced significant growth and influence throughout its existence, which helped spread its cultural and economic influence to neighboring societies. The Tiwanaku Empire emerged as a powerful state due to its strategic location along trading locations and its ability to harness agricultural productivity from known techniques. It was so impressive that at its peak, the terraced farms and fields of Tiwanaku could feed more than 60,000 people. 

6. Assyrian Empire

The Assyrian Empire existed as an ancient-Mesopotamian civilization from about 900 to 600 BC, primarily located in what is now northern Iraq and southeastern Turkey. The empire was established and expanded by a succession of powerful Assyrian rulers, including Tiglath-Pileser I, Ashurnasirpal II, and Sargon II.

The Assyrian Empire experienced many golden periods and eras of military dominance over its regional rivals, emerging as one of the most influential civilizations in the region’s history. It established itself as a formidable empire through a series of military conquests and aggressive campaigns, and its success was largely due to its highly-organized military structure. Assyrian armies were adept at employing state-of-the-art tactics and engineering techniques to win wars, especially with their expertise in siege warfare and construction of massive fortified cities.

During this period, the region under Assyrian control also became a center of trade and commerce, as it developed a sophisticated administrative and tax-collection system, legal codes, and a well-structured bureaucracy. 

5. Yuan Empire

The Yuan Empire was the continuation of the Mongol empire in China, established after the Mongol defeat of the Song empire in 1271. It was located in East and Central Asia, including  territories that are now part of modern-day China, Mongolia, and other neighboring regions. 

The empire reached its height of power and influence under Kublai Khan, Genghis Khan’s grandson, who successfully conquered China and established the Yuan dynasty, making himself its first emperor. It was characterized by a strong centralized government, with Mongols usually forming the ruling elite and Chinese scholars and bureaucrats serving in administrative roles. 

During this period, China experienced an age of prosperity and cultural exchange due to international trade, particularly along the Silk Road, which connected East Asia with Europe and the Middle East. Sadly, it would be a short-lived empire, as the Yuan dynasty was overthrown in 1368 by a popular rebellion known as the Red Turban Movement.

4. Mali Empire

From about 13th to 16th century BC, the Mali Empire was one of the richest and most prosperous kingdoms in the world. Established by King Sundiata Keita, it was located in what is now the republic of Mali in West Africa, with its influence extending to faraway regions in Africa and beyond.

Mali was a primarily trade-based empire founded by uniting several smaller states into a singular entity. Under Mansa Musa, who ruled in the 14th century, the empire reached its pinnacle of wealth and influence – a period many modern historians recognize as one of the region’s golden ages.

Mali and the general west-African region flourished during this period, as the empire controlled many important trading outposts, particularly along the trans-Saharan route that involved precious items like gold and salt. Mali’s position as a major trading hub allowed for cultural exchange from distant empires, leading to a renaissance in art, science, architecture and other fields. Cities like Timbuktu grew into centers of learning and academia, attracting students and scholars from across the world. 

3. Kingdom Of Kush

The Kingdom of Kush was an ancient African, Nile Valley civilization that existed from approximately 1070 BC to 350 AD, making it one of the longest-living empires in history. It was located in the ancient region now known as Nubia, and comprised present-day Sudan and parts of Egypt. The kingdom was established by the Nubian people after gaining independence from Egypt, with its capital shifting between cities like Napata and Meroe throughout its history.

Kush initially emerged as a powerful state due to its trade along the Nile River, as it benefitted from the exchange of goods and ideas between Sub-Saharan Africa and the Mediterranean region. The kingdom’s influence expanded when it conquered Egypt, creating the 25th Dynasty and ruling as pharaohs from 747-656 BC. 

Throughout this period, the Nile region was known for its wealth, much of it derived from trade in gold, ivory, ebony, and other valuable resources from the region. The kingdom eventually adopted aspects of Egyptian culture and religion while also maintaining its unique Nubian identity. 

2. Khmer Empire

The Khmer Empire was a powerful Hindu-Buddhist civilization in southeast Asia that existed from 802-1431 AD. It was mainly centered in present-day Cambodia, with its influence extending to parts of Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. 

Under Jayavarman II – the founder of the empire – it grew into one of the most prosperous and powerful states in the region, reaching its peak during the reign of Suryavarman II around 1122 AD. The empire’s success was fueled by an advanced agricultural system, including the construction of intricate irrigation networks and reservoirs.

One of the most notable innovations of the Khmer Empire was the construction of Angkor Wat, often called the largest religious monument in the world. The empire’s capital, Angkor, was also renowned for its grand temples, intricate carvings, and sprawling urban infrastructure. 

1. Achaemenid Empire

At its peak, the ancient-Iranian Achaemenid Empire stretched from Egypt and Libya all the way to northern India and central Asia, making it the largest ancient empire we know of. Established around the year 550 BC by Cyrus II – also called Cyrus the Great – it held over 44% of the world’s population around 475 BC, and could even be considered an early example of a global, multi-ethnic empire.

The Achaemenid Empire was known for many great innovations, including and especially its vast and interconnected network of roads. Many cities across the region grew to be sprawling metropolises, largely thanks to the efficient rule of a series of notable kings from the Achaemenid Dynasty. It would remain a stable, formidable power in Eurasia until 331 BC, when the empire was completely conquered by the armies of Alexander.