== Definition == 

 First let me say I don't have anything personally against defining empire as a state where the people in power hold sway over a group or groups of people culturally different from them. However, I have not seen empire defined that way ANYWHERE. I've been looking through dictionaries and most simply say any state that is either big or composed of multiple nations (that could mean multi-ethnic I suppose) is an empire. I didn't even see a single reference for the article's definition of empire. This really bothers me cuz I went to a lot of trouble creating (and now defending) a page based on this definition. If someone doesn't address this, I might have to put a tag up. I'd really hate to do that cuz I know I hate it when folks tag the hell out of me for minor stuff. But this ain't minor! Scholars do debate what constitutes an empire (another definition of which is any extensive enterprise under a single authority...hell McDonald;s is an empire by that definition). Can we please talk about this and put the issue to rest. i know I can count on you all. PEACE