The Largest States in the World in 500 BC
On the world border map for 500 BC, the largest state was Achaemenid Empire, with about 5.95 million km² — some 4% of the world's land. It was followed by Zhou states and Hindu kingdoms.
The 20 largest states in 500 BC
| Rank | State | Area | Share of world land | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Achaemenid Empire | 5.95 million km² | 4.0% | |
| 2 | Zhou states | 1.55 million km² | 1.0% | |
| 3 | Hindu kingdoms | 1.42 million km² | 1.0% | |
| 4 | Carthaginian Empire | 630,000 km² | 0.4% | |
| 5 | Meroe | 310,000 km² | 0.2% | |
| 6 | Greek city-states | 250,000 km² | 0.2% | |
| 7 | Adena Culture | 230,000 km² | 0.2% | |
| 8 | Magadha | 190,000 km² | 0.1% | |
| 9 | Saba | 100,000 km² | 0.1% | |
| 10 | Chavin | 80,000 km² | 0.1% | |
| 11 | Kuru | 70,000 km² | 0.0% | |
| 12 | Pancala | 70,000 km² | 0.0% | |
| 13 | Simhala | 60,000 km² | 0.0% | |
| 14 | Avanti | 60,000 km² | 0.0% | |
| 15 | Surasena | 50,000 km² | 0.0% | |
| 16 | Olmec | 50,000 km² | 0.0% | |
| 17 | Gandhāra | 40,000 km² | 0.0% | |
| 18 | Boii | 40,000 km² | 0.0% | |
| 19 | Etruscans | 30,000 km² | 0.0% | |
| 20 | Kosala | 30,000 km² | 0.0% |
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 | Achaemenid Empire | 5.95 million km² |
| 2 | Carthaginian Empire | 630,000 km² |
| 3 | Greek city-states | 250,000 km² |
| 4 | Boii | 40,000 km² |
| 5 | Etruscans | 30,000 km² |
Asia
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zhou states | 1.55 million km² |
| 2 | Hindu kingdoms | 1.42 million km² |
| 3 | Magadha | 190,000 km² |
| 4 | Kuru | 70,000 km² |
| 5 | Pancala | 70,000 km² |
Africa
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meroe | 310,000 km² |
| 2 | Saba | 100,000 km² |
Americas
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adena Culture | 230,000 km² |
| 2 | Chavin | 80,000 km² |
| 3 | Olmec | 50,000 km² |
Questions
What was the largest country in the world in 500 BC?
Achaemenid Empire, with about 5.95 million km², on the border map for 500 BC.
What were the five largest states in 500 BC?
1. Achaemenid Empire (5.95 million km²); 2. Zhou states (1.55 million km²); 3. Hindu kingdoms (1.42 million km²); 4. Carthaginian Empire (630,000 km²); 5. Meroe (310,000 km²).
What was the largest state in Europe in 500 BC?
Achaemenid Empire, with about 5.95 million km².
What was the largest state in Asia in 500 BC?
Zhou states, with about 1.55 million km².
What was the largest state in Africa in 500 BC?
Meroe, with about 310,000 km².
Largest states in 400 BC → · Largest empires in history · The world in 500 BC
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.