Legal Definitions - empire

An empire refers to a large and extensive political entity composed of multiple territories, states, or peoples, all governed and controlled by a single supreme ruler, typically an emperor. It encompasses both the vast geographical area under this ruler's authority and the system of governance through which that authority is exercised.

• The Roman Empire: At its peak, the Roman Empire stretched across much of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, all under the ultimate authority of the Roman Emperor. The emperor's laws, administrative decrees, and military power were supreme throughout this immense territory, from Britannia to Egypt.

  This illustrates the term because it describes a vast region (the dominion) and numerous peoples governed by a single, supreme ruler (the emperor), whose jurisdiction extended over all these diverse lands.

• The Qing Dynasty Empire: During the Qing Dynasty, the Emperor of China held supreme power over a vast territory that included not only modern-day China but also regions like Mongolia, Tibet, and parts of Central Asia. The imperial court in Beijing issued edicts and appointed officials who administered these extensive lands, all subject to the emperor's ultimate authority.

  This example demonstrates an empire as a large collection of territories and populations under the direct and absolute control of an emperor, highlighting both the geographical reach and the centralized political power.

• The Aztec Empire: While not an empire in the European sense of direct territorial rule, the Aztec Empire was a powerful confederation of city-states dominated by Tenochtitlan, whose ruler (often considered an emperor or supreme leader) exerted control and demanded tribute from numerous subject city-states across a significant portion of Mesoamerica. The Aztec military enforced this dominion, ensuring the flow of resources and loyalty to the central power.

  This illustrates an empire by showing a dominant ruler exercising extensive dominion and jurisdiction over a broad region and multiple subordinate entities, even if the control was sometimes indirect through tribute and military might rather than direct administration.