So.
They were really in an expansionist phase for about 400 years.
Then they lost a lot of their empire/territory for a couple of hundred years.
Now...they're back...expanding again...with a vengeance too.
That's what it looked like to me. In fact, looks like most of the World troubles has come from these people, at one time or another. Grim.
Grim reading today Folks. I am still trying to catch up. Thanks for all the hard work.