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Which historical empire was the largest in world population share?

Answer: The Achaemenid Empire, more commonly known as the Persian Empire. It is estimated to have had a population of around 50 million of the world’s 112 million people in 480 CE, an incredible 44%. This would be equivalent, today, to having around three billion people under the control of the one imperial or government system. By contrast, the world’s largest empire by territory, the British Empire, held sway over around 20% of the world’s population.

Source: The History of Iran by Elton L. Daniel and The Economics of World War II by Mark Harrison

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1908 – King Carlos I of Portugal and his heir, Prince Luis Filipe are assassinated by Republican sympathizers in Lisbon.

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Source: The Wicket Wit of Winston Churchill by Dominique Enright

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