>that conventional pre-modern empire building would not allow I dunno if I'd say this is truly the case. The Mongol Empire was the largest pre-modern empire, ye

>that conventional pre-modern empire building would not allow I dunno if I'd say this is truly the case. The Mongol Empire was the largest pre-modern empire, yes, but there were other ones spanning millions of square kilometers (multiple pre-horde Chinese dynasties) and several continents (the various caliphates) with these 'conventional' methods.