Is America the Greatest Superpower in History?

[Randarkmaan]

Also despite the fact that the Roman Empire was "smallish" in total area, quite a big portion of the world's population at that time were in fact Roman subjects. In wiki there's a figure of 35.3% of world population in 2nd century AD as Roman subjects. Spanish Empire and various forms of Russia including under the Mongol rule are also very strong contenders.

But it doesn't matter. Sure those countries were great and powerful, sure they have influenced the world in ways we can't imagine, or at least try to. But super power, is by it's definition, a modern phenomenon, hence no super power exists in pre-modern times. It is only by very loose definitions that ancient states are referred to as super powers (usually in popular-history TV documentaries, such as the ones the History Channel broadcast when they are not airing Ax Men or Ice Road Truckers), and this loose definition actually corresponds more or less to the definition for a great power. They use the term super power, because that is sure to cause the attention of viewers, because super power is thought of as "US powerful" in its language, it's the same reason they also use the words weapon of mass destruction and machine-gun, referring to balistae and longbows.

But it is incorrect. Super powers are modern phenomenon, end of story. Rome was a great power, likely the most powerful in its time, but it was not a super power. Because super powers, and what is required for them to form, did not exist at the time.

Only an American would say yes to this poll...

I'm not an American...
Only someone with no understanding of the definition and characteristics of super powers, would suggest any other countries than the US, the Soviet Union and the British Empire as candidates for the "Greatest super power in history".

[Seleucos of Olympia]

I'm not American either, but I voted them for the reasons I explained in my post. "Superpower" is a modern term. While it is a bit of a hyperbole to state the question as "Is America the Greatest Superpower in HISTORY?", with "history" in all capitals, and I see why that in itself would drive people away from voting the USA, the fact of the matter remains that "superpower" does not apply as a term to great powers of the distant past, simply because they were awesomely powerful and influential in their own parts of the world.

[Tiberios]

I would say the British or the Roman.. The US comes pretty close.. I disagree with Alexanders Empire as a superpower, since it din't really outlast it's ruler. While he lived yes, but after, no.. I'd say it was to short lived to be considered a superpower.

[War lord]

I would say the British or the Roman.. The US comes pretty close.. I disagree with Alexanders Empire as a superpower, since it din't really outlast it's ruler. While he lived yes, but after, no.. I'd say it was to short lived to be considered a superpower.

As stated moderen is needed to be a superpower.

[Mithradates]

Back up please.

Rome started small and conquered everything which was worth to be conquered AND lived for 1000 years.

Rome has stood the test of time, even today everyone knows what Rome was, our world is influenced by Rome on many levels, the US is just to "young" to compete with Rome.

Not to mention the US couldnt defeat every country, DEFEND against any country, yes, but not to defeat them simply because the US is a democracy with citizens who want peace and the last thing they want to see is the death of tens of millions of Americans in retarded and pointless wars.

@Randarkmaan

You are right but if you exclude the mayor part of history because only recent countries can qualify for the "superpower" title the whole thread becomes pointless.
(history is not just the last 100 years)

[War lord]

Rome started small and conquered everything which was worth to be conquered AND lived for 1000 years.

Rome has stood the test of time, even today everyone knows what Rome was, our world is influenced by Rome on many levels, the US is just to "young" to compete with Rome.

Not to mention the US couldnt defeat every country, DEFEND against any country, yes, but not to defeat them simply because the US is a democracy with citizens who want peace and the last thing they want to see is the death of tens of millions of Americans in retarded and pointless wars.

@Randarkmaan

You are right but if you exclude the mayor part of history because only recent countries can qualify for the "superpower" title the whole thread becomes pointless.
(history is not just the last 100 years)

Rome fell apart because it defeated too much.

[Mithradates]

Rome fell apart because it defeated too much.

...fell apart after a milennia, something which cant be ignored.

[War lord]

...fell apart after a milennia, something which cant be ignored.

To be a super power you have to be a force on the global stage.Rome didn't know half the world existed.

[DAVIDE]

But it doesn't matter. Sure those countries were great and powerful, sure they have influenced the world in ways we can't imagine, or at least try to. But super power, is by it's definition, a modern phenomenon, hence no super power exists in pre-modern times. It is only by very loose definitions that ancient states are referred to as super powers (usually in popular-history TV documentaries, such as the ones the History Channel broadcast when they are not airing Ax Men or Ice Road Truckers), and this loose definition actually corresponds more or less to the definition for a great power. They use the term super power, because that is sure to cause the attention of viewers, because super power is thought of as "US powerful" in its language, it's the same reason they also use the words weapon of mass destruction and machine-gun, referring to balistae and longbows.

But it is incorrect. Super powers are modern phenomenon, end of story. Rome was a great power, likely the most powerful in its time, but it was not a super power. Because super powers, and what is required for them to form, did not exist at the time.



I'm not an American...
Only someone with no understanding of the definition and characteristics of super powers, would suggest any other countries than the US, the Soviet Union and the British Empire as candidates for the "Greatest super power in history".

The term was born during ww2 (1944) and during ww2 (1944), the biggest powers where the ones you listed. Obviously, if 3rd Reich wasnt collapsing in 1941, even Nazi Germany could've been grouped as "superpower". This made me think, according to 1944 definition of superpower, as something extremely fickle, simply cuz a battle you lose could've determined who was superpower and who wasnt. At the time of Rome, Rome was the maximum expression of civilization and military strenght. Had no rivals in the whole known world. And even if Romans could've lost a serie of battles, these facts didnt change the Roman "status" of superpower. Simply cuz, as i said before, no ancient nation was able to challenge Rome in

- military field
- economy
- culture
- influence
- territories
etc.

Now a question: Without USSR help, was USA capable to beat 3rd reich alone? NO. This is why i consider Romans more superpower than modern USA

[Mithradates]

To be a super power you have to be a force on the global stage.Rome didn't know half the world existed.

lol?

The US cant be considered as a superpower because it has no influence on races in the galaxy which we dont know yet?

[War lord]

lol?

The US cant be considered as a superpower because it has no influence on races in the galaxy which we dont know yet?

Rome didn't leave earth.

[Tiberios]

Point is that you can't denounce the Roman Empire as a superpower just because they only knew Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle East.. The US hadn't eben been discovered by the Europeans for good.. In the known world of the Romans, they were supreme..

[Mithradates]

Rome didn't leave earth.

Rome didnt leave the world they knew because they tought there is nothing outside of it.

Seriously, you are trolling or what?
Rome failed because they didnt conquered places they didnt even know to exist?

[War lord]

Rome didnt leave the world they knew because they tought there is nothing outside of it.

Seriously, you are trolling or what?
Rome failed because they didnt conquered places they didnt even know to exist?

Have you seen a map of the roman empire they knew about Germany,Scotland,Ireland,The East And Russia they hardly Defeted everybody.

[Mithradates]

Have you seen a map of the roman empire they knew about Germany,Scotland,Ireland,The East And Russia they hardly Defeted everybody.

Rome started small and conquered everything which was worth to be conquered AND lived for 1000 years.

[War lord]

The east was well worth taking.

[DAVIDE]

Have you seen a map of the roman empire they knew about Germany,Scotland,Ireland,The East And Russia they hardly Defeted everybody.

Germany for example, was valueted by Romans as "not economically important". Do u seriously think, Legions werent able to conquer Germania if they wanted it? the most important thing was "roman ruled the ancient known world". Romans didnt know about Australia.. satellites and gps systems has been invented centuries later..

[Mithradates]

And the east WAS taken by Rome, Mesopotamia was part of the Empire.

[Nimthill]

I disagree with those who state that Roma is a lesser power than the USA, simply because they conquered less. In fact, they pretty much conquered their whole known world. When the USA has annexed paris, we'll talk again.

Also, argueing that Roma isn't a super power 'cos it's very old' is argueing semantics. Someone claimed that the term superpower is only applicable to post WOII powers. So what, the poll quite clearly indicates that any power is in the game.

[War lord]

Germany for example, was valueted by Romans as "not economically important". Do u seriously think, Legions werent able to conquer Germania if they wanted it? the most important thing was "roman ruled the ancient known world". Romans didnt know about Australia.. satellites and gps systems has been invented centuries later..

So The Wald didn't change anything?

@Mesopotmia was taken back in a couple of years.