But which among us have been the most influential people to ever live? Well, in concrete terms that's a very subjective question to answer. We all have our own ideas of what influence means and how it is exhibited. And any two lists are likely to consist of different people, or at least a different order.

Nevertheless, we've attempted to take an objective look at this weighty issue. And the result is a list of people we believe deserve this immense distinction. Because influencing all of humanity is obviously a really big deal. And there have been a select few who have been able to leave behind a huge influence. Keep reading to find out who tops the list.

Let's set some ground rules before we continue. Since this type of list can lead to arguments, we'll let you know what influenced our decisions. If you disagree, we welcome your additions (or deletions) you would make in the comments section below. But for our list, we tried to detach ourselves from personal feelings.

When we discuss influence, it is often in a positive sense. And to be sure, positive influences are important to each of us -- individually and as a society. But we believe that influence in itself is neither good nor bad. It is up to everyone to use whatever influence they have to lead others in a positive direction.

So even those who choose a negative path are still exercising their power. That's why we're not analyzing results when selecting the most influential people in history. Instead, we'll just try to measure how big their impact on humankind was and continues to be. Without that subjective layer of good vs. evil, we're free to take an unbiased look. We can disagree about the nature of their impact. But there's little doubt that everyone on this list left a lasting mark on those who came after them.

Regardless of religious context, most scholars put Jesus at the top of their lists. His is among the most influential people in history for many reasons. For starters, think about how we chronicle time. The year most of the world uses is based on his estimated birth year. And beyond Christianity, his influence is clear in many other world faiths.

The Bible remains the best selling book year after year. And central passages include references to his life as well the lessons he shared. Like any major religious figure, there's plenty of disagreement about the extent of his influence. But billions around the world view him as deity personified. And even for major religions in which he is not a central figure, he is often referenced and revered.

There are a few ways to identify influence. And there are certainly some humans who have left an indelible mark on an industry or nation. But few, if any, have been celebrated for such a diversity of humanitarian contributions. By any measure, Leonardo is one of the most influential people to ever live.

The term Renaissance Man might not be as commonly used in today's society. But it refers to a person with an unquenchable thirst for a wide range of topics. And it also implies a mastery of many of those disciplines. However you define it, da Vinci fits the bill. He might be most easily recognized as an artist. But he was responsible for great leaps in our understanding of other topics. Among them were maps, architecture, botany, math, music and geology. He also came up with inventions that were millennia ahead of their time.

There are tons of influential authors throughout history. So we took a lot of care and consideration in choosing which to include in our list. But there are a few reasons Shakespeare stands out. First of all, he's a household name unlike almost any other writer who's ever lived.

But beyond that, we're trying to measure actual influence. And not only did he revolutionize English literature, he changed literature for everybody. His plays made the theater experience accessible for a wider audience. The characters and plots he created have gone on to influence storytellers in every generation since. Plus, he created words that are still in the English lexicon today. In the context of his day, he was an incredible star. But unlike almost all of the authors we love today, the lasting influence of Shakespeare seems boundless.

Many of the most influential people in history have helped shape our understanding of philosophy. Much of what we consider Western culture stems directly from Greek thinkers. But perhaps none had the lasting impact of Aristotle. His school of thought would influence those who came immediately after him. But dozens of generations later, we still feel the reverberations of his writings.

The topics he helped define included concrete sciences like biology, physics and zoology. But he might be better known for his studies in the arts and philosophy. Aristotle gave his contemporaries a clearer understanding of many complex topics. He studied linguistics, ethics, politics and other issues we still struggle to fully appreciate. Aristotle's work served to answer many nagging questions. But it is perhaps more influential for raising important questions for those who would come after him.

We know everybody's list will look a bit different. But we hope you agree everyone we included has left a lasting mark on humankind. There are plenty of people from our lifetimes who will go on to leave their influence on future generations. The individuals above have shown us in their own ways what that power can accomplish.

If you enjoyed our list, share it with the history buffs in your life. And leave us a comment below if you have any final thoughts or questions.

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