A
global empire involves the extension of a
state's sovereignty over territories all around the
world. For example, because of the
Spanish Empire's territories around the globe, it was often said in the 16th century that "
the sun never sets on the Spanish Empire." This phrase was later applied to the
Russian Empire and
British Empire.
Earlier empires were largely confined to the African and/or Eurasian continents, or to the American continents. Nations such as ancient Egypt, the Aztec Empire, the Roman Empire, the Inca Empire, and China could in one sense be considered early superpowers, but not global empires as herein defined.
Some of these early empires which spread across different continents include
Only after the circumnavigation of the globe by Ferdinand Magellan's expedition (1519-1522) could states begin to truly achieve a global presence.
