History is filled with the rise and fall of great civilizations, societies that once stood as the pinnacle of human achievement, only to be swallowed by time, war, or nature’s wrath. While the world remembers Rome, Egypt, and China as lasting superpowers, many other extraordinary civilizations flourished, each with the potential to dominate their era and beyond.
Some built vast trade empires, others revolutionized warfare, while a few pioneered technologies still in use today. Their influence shaped the world, yet their empires ultimately crumbled, leaving behind ruins and unanswered questions. Each of these civilizations was a force to be reckoned with, wielding power and resources that could have secured them a place in modern history, if only they had endured. Curious? Click through this gallery to see which empires could have been the greatest of our time.