Top 10 Ancient Empires That Are a Mess Today

#10: Ancient Greece (c. 800–146 BCE)

Few civilizations shine brighter in Western history books than Ancient Greece. After all, it was the land of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Greece gave us democracy, philosophy, drama, science, and Olympic glory. Yet even in their golden age, it was chaotic – a patchwork of rival city-states that fought almost as often as they flourished. They briefly set aside differences to repel Persia’s mighty Achaemenid Empire, but soon fell back into ruinous civil wars. That fractious legacy still echoes today. Modern Greece is known for political and economic turmoil, from corruption scandals to crippling debt crises. The stability of Ancient Persia and the brilliance of Ancient Greece are now in a turbulent state.

#9: Hittite Empire (c. 1600–1178 BCE)

Three thousand years ago, the Hittites stood shoulder to shoulder with Egypt and Babylon as masters of the ancient world. From their capital at Hattusa, they ruled Anatolia with advanced chariots, early iron weapons, and intricate legal codes. They even brokered history’s first written peace treaty. After a battle with the Egyptians, they made peace with Pharaoh Ramses II. The Hittites were warriors, yes, but also diplomats – a rare mix in a brutal age. Fast-forward to modern Turkey, a progressive country that still wrestles with economic, political and ideological uncertainty. In September 2025, protests rocked its streets anew. The ruins of the Hittite Empire still stand, but their legacy seems to be fading over time.

#8: Kanem–Bornu Empire (c. 700–1900)

For over a millennium, the Kanem–Bornu Empire dominated the central Sahel. At its height, the empire stretched across modern Chad, Libya and Sudan, with an iron grip on trans-Saharan trade routes. This control showered the Empire in wealth. The Sayfawa dynasty claimed ancient Yemeni descent, embraced Islam, and made Bornu a hub of learning, faith and commerce. Today, the lands once united under Kanem–Bornu are fractured and unstable. Chad struggles with coups and poverty. Sudan has faced decades of ethnic and religious conflict, leading to South Sudan’s secession in 2005. Libya has been in an endless cycle of conflict since the fall of Gaddafi.

#7: Greco-Bactrian / Kushan Empires (c. 250 BCE–375 CE)

The war-torn nation of Afghanistan has been in and out of conflict for decades. But once, this land had more agency and stability in its culture shifts. The Greco-Bactrian Kingdom fused Hellenistic and Asian culture, spreading Greek art, language and philosophy deep into Central Asia. Its successor, the Kushan Empire, sat astride the Silk Road and launched Buddhism eastward into China. For centuries, this frontier was rich, cosmopolitan and dynamic. Modern Afghanistan bears little resemblance. A lot has changed, and not often for the best in recent decades.

#6: Ajuran Sultanate (14th–17th Centuries)

From the 14th to the 17th century, the Ajuran Sultanate ruled much of the Horn of Africa. Centered in modern Somalia, it was a powerful Islamic state that controlled sea trade along the Indian Ocean and the river valleys inland. The Ajuran built castles, irrigation systems and mosques. Mogadishu grew into a hub of immense wealth, drawing merchants from Arabia, India and even China. Today, that same city is considered to be one of the most dangerous places on Earth. Somalia has been branded a failed state, plagued by piracy, famine, civil war and terrorism. The prosperity and order of the Ajuran Sultanate survive only in scattered ruins of its golden age.

#5: Kingdom of Kongo (1390–1857)

The Kingdom of Kongo was vast and powerful, one of Africa’s greatest precolonial states. It boasted a centralized government and a thriving trade network. In the 15th century, the royal family converted to Christianity. Its kings corresponded directly with Portugal and the Vatican. The result was a uniquely Kongolese culture blending African traditions with European diplomacy. But centuries of slave raids, colonial meddling and internal strife tore the empire apart. Today, its former lands are among the most unstable on Earth. The Democratic Republic of Congo has endured decades of dictatorship, corruption and war, while Angola suffered one of the longest civil wars of the 20th century. The grandeur of Kongo has been degraded by exploitation and crisis.

#4: Kingdom of Great Zimbabwe (11th–16th Centuries)

Between the 11th and 16th centuries, Great Zimbabwe was the heart of a thriving Southern African empire. Its rulers controlled gold mines and cattle herds. They traded wealth as far as the Middle East, even China. The capital’s massive stone walls and towers still awe archaeologists today, as they were built without mortar. But the grandeur of Great Zimbabwe stands in sharp contrast with the modern nation that bears its name. Zimbabwe is infamous for political repression, economic collapse, and one of the worst cases of hyperinflation in history. In 2008, prices doubled every day. The value of banknotes increased exponentially. From golden trade routes to currency crises, the story of Zimbabwe is a tragic reversal of fortune.

#3: Ancient Carthage (c. 650–146 BCE)

For centuries, Carthage was the jewel of the western Mediterranean. Founded by Phoenician settlers, it grew into a maritime empire that rivaled Rome itself. Carthaginian fleets ruled the seas, and generals like Hannibal terrified the Republic with campaigns that remain legendary. But Rome’s eventual victory in the Punic Wars razed Carthage to the ground. Today, the lands once under its sway - Tunisia, Algeria and Libya - face instability instead of glory. Tunisia wrestles with political unrest, and Libya has been torn apart by civil war since the fall of Gaddafi. Algeria struggles with authoritarian rule and economic stagnation. The proud empire that once battled Rome is now remembered only in the history books.

#2: Kingdom of Aksum (c. 100–960 CE)

The Kingdom of Aksum once ranked among the greatest powers of the ancient world. Stretching across modern Ethiopia and Eritrea, it commanded Red Sea trading routes. Aksum was the hub linking Rome and India. It also minted its own coins and built towering obelisks. In the 4th century, it became one of the first nations to adopt Christianity. Aksumite merchants and diplomats connected Africa to the wider world through religion, philosophy and trade. Today, the lands of Aksum are sadly marked by bloodshed. Ethiopia has been wracked by civil war in Tigray, with hundreds of thousands killed and millions displaced. Modern Ethiopia struggles with famine, ethnic conflict and authoritarian rule. The brilliance of Aksum now only lingers in legend.

#1: Neo-Assyrian Empire (c. 911–609 BCE)

The Neo-Assyrians built the largest empire the world had ever seen at the time. Their holdings stretched from the Persian Gulf to Egypt. Centered in Mesopotamia, they were heirs to the Akkadian Empire. Centuries later, the Akkadians pioneered the very idea of ruling diverse peoples under a centralized state. The Assyrians refined that model with a fearsome bureaucracy and military machine. Their kings pioneered professional armies, iron weapons and mass deportations as tools of control. At its height, Assyria’s capitals dazzled with palaces, libraries and colossal stone guardians. But centuries of rebellion and invasion brought it crashing down in 609 BCE. Today, the land of Mesopotamia is modern Iraq and Syria, still scarred by dictatorship, foreign invasion and sectarian war.

Which fallen empire do you think would be most disappointed by its modern legacy? Let us know in the comments below.