Were There Kings in Ancient Times?

A common image that comes to mind when one thinks of ancient times is that of a king sitting on a throne, ruling over his subjects. But were there really kings in ancient times Let’s explore this topic further.

What is a King

Before we dive into whether or not there were kings in ancient times, let’s first define what a king is. A king is typically defined as “a male sovereign or monarch; a man who holds by life tenure, and usually by hereditary right, the chief authority over a country and people.” Essentially, a king is someone with absolute power and authority over his kingdom.

Ancient Kingdoms

There were many ancient civilizations that had rulers with varying levels of power and authority. Some of these rulers may be considered kings by today’s standards, while others may not fit the exact definition.

Egypt

The ancient Egyptians had rulers that they called pharaohs. The pharaohs were considered to be both the political and religious leaders of Egypt. They held absolute power over their subjects and were often seen as divine beings.

Greece

Ancient Greece was made up of city-states that each had their own form of government. Some city-states had rulers known as tyrants who held absolute power, while others had elected officials who shared power.

Rome

The Roman Empire was ruled by emperors who held absolute power over their subjects. While they may not have been called kings, they certainly fit the definition in terms of their level of authority.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there were certainly rulers in ancient times who held varying degrees of power and authority over their subjects. While not all of these rulers may fit the exact definition of a king, many would certainly be considered as such by today’s standards. So yes, there were kings in ancient times.