1
Story
The Roman Empire
Begin with the imperial model that shaped law, citizenship, cities and later political memory.
History Explorer
Premium75 min7 steps
Empires: Rise, Peak, Collapse
Compare how empires expand, organise power, reach their height and finally come apart.
This curated path is a Premium route.
You can preview the route shape here. The step-by-step reading, progress tracking and reminders unlock with Premium.
Guided Route
Start here
New to the topic? Start with the essentials. Already know the broad story? Follow the route for the turning points, context and consequences that make each step matter.
75 min
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2
Story
The Mongol Empire
Follow steppe power as it becomes the largest contiguous land empire in history.
3
Story
The Ottoman Empire
Trace a frontier principality into a long-lived empire connecting Europe, Asia and Africa.
4
Story
The Aztec Empire
See tribute, religion and urban power at the heart of Mesoamerican imperial rule.
5
Story
The Qing Dynasty
Explore expansion, multiethnic rule and the pressures facing China's last imperial dynasty.
6
Story
The British Empire
Follow maritime, commercial and industrial power into global empire and decolonisation.
7
Story
The Collapse of the Soviet Union
End with a modern superpower unravelling through strain, reform and loss of confidence.
Featured figures
Start with these figure pages to follow the people, rulers and decision-makers behind the route.
FigureFirst Roman emperor
Augustus
He won Rome's civil wars by outmanoeuvring everyone who tried to destroy him — then spent the next forty years pretending he hadn't changed anything.
FigureFounder of the Mongol Empire
Genghis Khan
He was born Temujin on the Mongolian steppe, survived exile and betrayal, united rival clans through discipline and reward, and founded the Mongol Empire, the largest contiguous land empire in history.
FigureSultan of the Ottoman Empire
Suleiman the Magnificent
He ruled the Ottoman Empire at the height of its power, expanding from Hungary to Iraq while shaping law, court culture and imperial identity.
FigureAztec emperor
Moctezuma II
He ruled Tenochtitlan at the height of Mexica power, faced Hernan Cortes and his Indigenous allies in 1519, and died as Spanish invasion turned imperial strength into sudden crisis.
All figures in this path
A compact index for the wider cast connected to these stories.
35 figures
Augustus
First Roman emperor
63 BC–14
Genghis Khan
Founder of the Mongol Empire
1162–1227
Suleiman the Magnificent
Sultan of the Ottoman Empire
1494–1566
Moctezuma II
Aztec emperor
1466–1520
Trajan
Roman emperor
53–117
Nero
Roman emperor
37–68
Diocletian
Roman emperor
244–311
Constantine the Great
First Roman emperor to convert to Christianity
272–337
