The Largest States in the World in 1 BC
On the world border map for 1 BC, the largest state was Roman Empire, with about 4.27 million km² — some 3% of the world's land. It was followed by Han and Xiongnu.
The 20 largest states in 1 BC
| Rank | State | Area | Share of world land | Rank in 100 BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roman Empire | 4.27 million km² | 2.9% | new |
| 2 | Han | 4.04 million km² | 2.7% | new |
| 3 | Xiongnu | 3.66 million km² | 2.5% | 1 |
| 4 | Parthian Empire | 1.93 million km² | 1.3% | new |
| 5 | Saka Kingdom | 1.21 million km² | 0.8% | new |
| 6 | Hindu kingdoms | 1.18 million km² | 0.8% | – |
| 7 | Suren Kingdom | 920,000 km² | 0.6% | new |
| 8 | Hopewell Culture | 780,000 km² | 0.5% | 7 |
| 9 | Satavahanihara | 650,000 km² | 0.4% | new |
| 10 | Meroe | 600,000 km² | 0.4% | 10 |
| 11 | Himyarite Kingdom | 470,000 km² | 0.3% | new |
| 12 | Maya chiefdoms and states | 360,000 km² | 0.2% | 12 |
| 13 | Kalinga | 320,000 km² | 0.2% | new |
| 14 | Muscat | 280,000 km² | 0.2% | new |
| 15 | Armenia | 200,000 km² | 0.1% | new |
| 16 | Koguryo | 180,000 km² | 0.1% | new |
| 17 | Nabatean Kingdom | 170,000 km² | 0.1% | 20 |
| 18 | Dacia | 120,000 km² | 0.1% | new |
| 19 | Hadramaut | 110,000 km² | 0.1% | – |
| 20 | Moche | 100,000 km² | 0.1% | new |
Areas are measured from the border polygons of the map and are approximate; claimed areas, tributaries and unorganised land are not included.
Largest states by region
Europe
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roman Empire | 4.27 million km² |
| 2 | Parthian Empire | 1.93 million km² |
| 3 | Armenia | 200,000 km² |
| 4 | Dacia | 120,000 km² |
| 5 | Odrysian Kingdom | 70,000 km² |
Asia
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Han | 4.04 million km² |
| 2 | Xiongnu | 3.66 million km² |
| 3 | Saka Kingdom | 1.21 million km² |
| 4 | Hindu kingdoms | 1.18 million km² |
| 5 | Suren Kingdom | 920,000 km² |
Africa
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meroe | 600,000 km² |
| 2 | Himyarite Kingdom | 470,000 km² |
| 3 | Nabatean Kingdom | 170,000 km² |
| 4 | Hadramaut | 110,000 km² |
| 5 | Axum | 90,000 km² |
Americas
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hopewell Culture | 780,000 km² |
| 2 | Maya chiefdoms and states | 360,000 km² |
| 3 | Moche | 100,000 km² |
| 4 | Monte Albán | 60,000 km² |
| 5 | Nazca | 40,000 km² |
Questions
What was the largest country in the world in 1 BC?
Roman Empire, with about 4.27 million km², on the border map for 1 BC.
What were the five largest states in 1 BC?
1. Roman Empire (4.27 million km²); 2. Han (4.04 million km²); 3. Xiongnu (3.66 million km²); 4. Parthian Empire (1.93 million km²); 5. Saka Kingdom (1.21 million km²).
What was the largest state in Europe in 1 BC?
Roman Empire, with about 4.27 million km².
What was the largest state in Asia in 1 BC?
Han, with about 4.04 million km².
What was the largest state in Africa in 1 BC?
Meroe, with about 600,000 km².
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Last updated 10 November 2026. Sources: border data from historical-basemaps, land and rivers from Natural Earth; texts written for Chronica Maps from standard reference works. How we make the maps.