Kingship in the early state
Henri J. M. Claessen
1.1. The term is used in wide variety of meanings. King Swing famous musician, and the king diamonds playing card. In both cases word expresses quality: best, or highest. more narrow sense, refers to ruler kingdom. Such rulers not only play role past present, they are also found literature fairy tales. there carries sword sceptre, wears robe lined with ermine, has crown on his head. There as wise Solomon, villainous tyrants who'd trade their dom for horse, others, who killed bath by queen. Though ideas about kingship thus spread widely, it no easy task historians anthropologists formulate definition these concepts. Oxford Dictionary defines a man supreme an independent right succession throne. However, when rules over small state, calls him prince. Moreover, does connect indepen dent country state. Since present article aims at stating general intercultural research Early State, seems necessary carry analysis further. A specific type ruler, distinguishable from chief headman one hand, president other. It remains be seen if makes sense distinguish between emperor. Several were called known history, including Napoleon, Charlemagne Augustus. They kings Ethiopian claimed be, quality that German Austrian Kaisers pretended possess. Just because this reason consider emperor qualitatively different king. king, then, might be: supreme, hereditary stratified society, having legitimate power enforce decisions. Formulated way, borderline side other can drawn easily: headmen chiefs do have decisions (Claessen
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