Buzz
Throughout the vast expanse of history, civilizations have flourished and faded, from China to Zimbabwe, and from Britain to Columbia. Below is a list of the most frightening civilizations, ranked from the least to the most terrifying. With so many civilizations across time, we’re sure there are others you think should be included – feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
10. Celtic Empire
The Celts earned a fierce reputation as headhunters, infamous for displaying the severed heads of their victims on chariots and outside their homes. Many Celtic warriors fought in the nude, surprising their enemies, and were renowned for their formidable iron long swords: 'They cut off the heads of enemies slain in battle and attach them to the necks of their horses. The blood-stained spoils they hand over to their attendants and striking up a paean and singing a song of victory; and they nail up these first fruits upon their houses, just as do those who lay low wild animals in certain kinds of hunting. They embalm in cedar oil the heads of the most distinguished enemies, and preserve them carefully in a chest, and display them with pride to strangers, saying that for this head one of their ancestors, or his father, or the man himself, refused the offer of a large sum of money. They say that some of them boast that they refused the weight of the head in gold.'
9. Maori Civilization
The Maori were the first to settle New Zealand, arriving long before Europeans. Their culture has roots in the early modern era. Known for their brutal customs, they practiced cannibalism during wartime. In October 1809, a group of Maori warriors attacked a European convict ship in retaliation for the mistreatment of a chief’s son. The Maori slaughtered most of the 66 people aboard and dragged the bodies—both dead and alive—back to shore to feast on. A few survivors, hiding inside the ship's mast, were horrified as they watched the Maori feast on their shipmates throughout the night and into the following morning.
8. Mongol Empire
The Mongols were seen as ruthless barbarians, dominating both Europe and Asia, and were led by one of history’s greatest military minds, Genghis Khan. Known for their extraordinary horsemanship, the Mongols were masters at shooting bows and arrows from horseback, using a composite bow powerful enough to pierce armor. They were also skilled with lances and scimitars. Renowned for their psychological warfare tactics and ability to intimidate, they created the second largest empire in history, second only to the British Empire (though the British Empire’s tea and crumpets aren’t exactly terrifying). The story began with Temujin, later known as Genghis Khan, who, in his youth, swore to conquer the world—and almost did. His empire spanned from Vietnam to Hungary, making it the largest contiguous empire ever.
7. Apache Tribes
The Apaches were the stealthy assassins of America. They could silently approach and slit your throat without warning. Armed with primitive weapons made of wood and bone, they were unparalleled knife fighters and also excelled with tomahawks and throwing axes. Terrorizing the American Southwest, even the military had trouble defeating them. Their hit-and-run tactics were legendary, and their descendants have since passed down hand-to-hand combat techniques to modern special forces. The Apaches were also known for scalping their victims.
6. Viking Empire
The Vikings struck fear across Europe with their relentless raids and plundering (though, as we’ve seen on Mytour, not all of them were the same). Fierce in battle, they were formidable warriors who wielded axes, swords, and spears with deadly precision. They were large, brutal, and used their weapons to conquer cities. Their very religion revolved around war, with the belief that those who died in battle would continue to fight in an endless war. They embodied everything you’d expect from a soldier, and their actions on the battlefield left destruction in their wake.
5. North Korea
In North Korea, those caught stealing food during the famine or attempting to flee the country face public execution. Kim continues his extravagant lifestyle and military focus, despite the nation’s collapsing economy. Both he and his father are worshipped, viewed as saviors of the world. 250,000 political dissidents are imprisoned in 're-education camps.' Kim’s reign has also included acts of war against South Korea, including the assassination of South Korean leaders and the bombing of South Korean planes. He is a significant global threat, particularly due to his nuclear ambitions, having secured a nuclear reactor from the Soviet Union in 1984.
4. Roman Empire
While Rome is arguably the greatest empire in history, there were certainly some terrifying aspects. Criminals, slaves, and others were forced to fight to the death in brutal gladiatorial games. Some of history’s most notorious figures were Roman, such as Caligula and Nero. Under Nero’s reign, Christians became the target of horrific persecution in 64 AD. Many were torn apart by wild dogs, while others were set ablaze as human torches. Initially governed by divine kings, Rome later became a republic (arguably its golden age) before eventually transitioning into an empire. The transformation of a group of farmers, once fighting off wolves to protect their herds, into the greatest empire the world has ever seen is legendary. Combined with a formidable military and advanced administrative systems, ancient Rome became one of the longest-lasting empires, enduring for an astonishing 2,214 years from its founding to the fall of the Byzantine Empire.
3. Soviet Union
Communism has been responsible for the deaths of millions – more than Nazi Germany in the Soviet Union alone. Leaders like Josef Stalin, Mao Zedong, Pol Pot, Nicolae Ceausescu, and others were responsible for the deaths of countless individuals. However, the Soviet Union stands out as the worst. Stalin alone is said to have caused the deaths of between 10 and 60 million people. The Soviet Union was one of the greatest enemies of the United States, and life under Stalin instilled a constant sense of fear in even the most ordinary citizens – this fear, in itself, makes the Soviet Union arguably more terrifying than Nazi Germany, where many Germans felt a sense of safety as long as they supported the Nazi regime.
2. Nazi Germany
Though it existed for only a short time, Nazi Germany was a superpower that left a lasting global impact. At least 4 million people perished in the Holocaust (some estimates say closer to 11 million), and Nazi Germany was the catalyst for the deadliest conflict in history – World War II. The Nazi Swastika remains one of the most despised symbols worldwide. Nazi Germany controlled around 268,829 square miles of land. Adolf Hitler, one of the most influential figures ever, led an empire that remains one of the most horrifying in history.
1. Aztec Empire
The Aztecs began their grand theocratic system in the 1300s, ushering in an era where human sacrifice became central to their culture. Around 20,000 lives were taken each year in offerings to the gods, particularly to the sun god who demanded daily blood sacrifices for sustenance. Victims had their hearts removed, and some bodies were consumed in ceremonial feasts. Others met grisly ends by drowning, decapitation, burning, or being thrown from great heights. In a ritual for the rain god, children were killed in sacrificial rites, their tears believed to bring about rain. For the maize goddess, a virgin danced for a full day before being killed and skinned, with her skin worn by a priest in further ceremonial dancing. During King Ahuitzotl’s coronation, an estimated 80,000 prisoners were slaughtered as offerings to the gods. In some instances, victims were even cannibalized.
