What was the bloodiest invasion in recorded history?

What was the bloodiest invasion in recorded history?

Ziaddinè Sélim Chahoud Chahouddi, works at Fanfiction

Updated Jun 9

I shall vote for the Deluge.

The Deluge, widely known as the Swedish Deluge, or in expand, Russo-Swedish Deluge, was a five-year invasion of Poland by Sweden, combined with the Russian invasion from the East which is also known as Russian Deluge. If you see the map, the blue line is the division line between Swedish and Russian occupations of the Commonwealth. Russia was kicked out at 1657, but they quickly returned to Poland a year later.

The invasion occurred just a year after Russia invaded Poland at 1654, and together, the Russians and Swedes caused what would be, one of the most brutal genocide in the history of Europe and, one of the most tragic chapter in Polish history. The collaboration of Russia and Sweden against the country, back then, had the largest population in Europe with 13–15 million people, killed at least 1/3 of its population. Which mean, 4–5 million must have perished in Poland.

But that was not the only. Throughout five years invasion, the Swedes and Russians had:

• Completely stole a lot of precious goods. From furnitures, arts, porcelains, tents, books and etc.
• Destructions over 200 cities, 100 towns, 100 citadels in around Poland.
• Selling many goods into black markets or even showing it as national prides.
• Massacres of its population. Notably Catholics.
• Robbery and rapes rapid spread in the Commonwealth.

Notably was Warsaw. The Swedes burnt entire the city, and they left only 2.000 survivors. The Russians also displaced million of Poles in their occupied Eastern zone.

Overall, Russia and Sweden had together destroyed 90% of the country, mainly in Swedish part and a huge territory of Russian part, and had killed at least 5 million people, weakened Poland seriously. Poland, although, would have achieved the glorious Vienna miracle at 1683, but would never regain its strength and it had paved way for Russia to materialize and colonize Poland a century later, having joined the destruction with the Swedes. No matter why Poland still sues Sweden for all the damages. Poland should also start to sue Russia, too, since Russia also took hand on. The horror ended at 1660 and war with Russia ended 7 years later, but the damage was so deep.

As it was 17th century, I believe it must be the bloodiest invasion ever recorded. However, this fact, sadly, is widely unknown.

• Rosyjski „potop”
• Potop szwedzki (przyczyny, przebieg, skutki)
• Potop szwedzko-rosyjski, czyli III wojna północna