Empires have been a part of human history from earliest times, from the beginnings of civilization. While usually proclaiming their uniqueness and universality, they have in practice recognized a plurality of empires in the world. Over the whole landmass of Eurasia, these empires have interacted with each other, exchanging goods, ideas, and people.  Such intensive interactions have produced certain commonalities, as well of course as differences. This talk will examine those commonalities and differences. It will particularly examine the idea of a “tradition of empire”, based on a sense of succession from acknowledged and exemplary ancestors. But it will also want to stress the importance of history and temporality, showing how later empires not only learned from earlier ones but sought to distinguish themselves from them, making use of newer ideologies and forms of rule. The talk will be illustrated with examples drawing upon all the Eurasian empires, from China to western Europe, and including the Muslim empires of the region in between.