In this book, Francis Oakley argues that kingship may be the most common form of government known to humankind. He traces its history from the time of the Neolithic revolution and the spread of agrarian modes of subsistence around the eastern Mediterranean (c.8000- 5000 BCE) down to its widespread loss of legitimacy in the modern industrial world. The author considers the many forms that kingship took during this period, including: the Pharaohs of ancient Egypt; the emperors of Japan; the Maya rulers of Mesoamerica; the medieval popes and emperors; and the English and French monarchs of early modern Europe. While acknowledging the panoply of governing roles that kingship could involve - administrative, military, judicial, economic, religious, and purely symbolic - his central focus is on its intimate connection with the sacred.
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"This is a wide-ranging, cross-cultural exploration and meditationon sacral kingship by one of the rare, intellectually adventurous,historians in the academy." Janet Coleman, London School ofEconomics and Political Science
"In Oakley's hands, kingship turns out to be a tremendouslyinsightful vantage point to understand the human story. Hismagisterial sweep through the history of monarchical rule showsconclusively how difficult it is to separate the history ofpolitics from that of religion. Oakley's argument is supported byvivid examples drawn from an impressive range of times andcivilizations." Charles Taylor, McGill University
"Original and lucid. This is an essential book ... it offers apersuasive reconsideration of the history of political philosophy,which bears on modern and recent as well as much older periods."Choice
"Oakley's study is neither confined to the West, nor to anyperiod. It is not on kings, but on the very idea of kingship, anidea characterised by ubiquity, longevity and sacrality. [This]study is interesting and at times challenging." EuropeanConstitutional Law Review
"A most useful and informative survey of thetheme...The juxtaposition of so much diverse material iscertainly thought-provoking and demands changes in historicalperspectives."
Catholic Historical Review
"In Oakley's hands, kingship turns out to be a tremendouslyinsightful vantage point to understand the human story. Hismagisterial sweep through the history of monarchical rule showsconclusively how difficult it is to separate the history ofpolitics from that of religion. Oakley's argument is supported byvivid examples drawn from an impressive range of times andcivilizations." Charles Taylor, McGill University
"Original and lucid. This is an essential book ... it offers apersuasive reconsideration of the history of political philosophy,which bears on modern and recent as well as much older periods."Choice
"Oakley's study is neither confined to the West, nor to anyperiod. It is not on kings, but on the very idea of kingship, anidea characterised by ubiquity, longevity and sacrality. [This]study is interesting and at times challenging." EuropeanConstitutional Law Review
"A most useful and informative survey of thetheme...The juxtaposition of so much diverse material iscertainly thought-provoking and demands changes in historicalperspectives."
Catholic Historical Review