I think the Romans perfected (or attempted too) some years prior to the UK's Empire. And before that the Byzantines and the Babylonians. The UK's were the large

I think the Romans perfected (or attempted too) some years prior to the UK's Empire. And before that the Byzantines and the Babylonians. The UK's were the largest not because of lack of desire of the others but due to technological advances in communication and transportation.