It is difficult to determine who exactly was the first known king in human history and there are several contenders for this honor. However, numerous sources cite King Sargon of Akkad as the first king in human history, or rather, the first king that was not considered a myth or legend.
Meet the world's first emperor. King Sargon of Akkad—who legend says was destined to rule—established the world's first empire more than 4,000 years ago in Mesopotamia.
Some historians say that Egypt may lay claim to the world's first king, perhaps Iry-Hor or Namer. They point to the Sumerian King List, an ancient manuscript filled with the kings – real and fictitious – who once ruled the area around modern day Iraq.
Athelstan was an Anglo-Saxon king who lived from 894 to 939. He is regarded by historians as the first King of England.
The title "King of the World" refers to Manu (whose name appears in the ancient Greek king's name Minos) and is to be distinguished from the "Prince of this world" which refers to Satan in the Gospels (the two words being different in Hebrew and Arabic).
But when all the votes are in, one figures in the minds of scholars and historians as the greatest. He is Cyrus the Great of Persia, who in the mid-6th century BC ruled the greatest empire the world had ever known.
Many Christian denominations consider the kingly office of Christ to be one of the threefold offices: Christ is a prophet, priest, and king. The title "Christ the King" is also frequently used as a name for churches, schools, seminaries, hospitals, and religious institutes.
The longest-lived king was Edward Balliol of Scotland, who died at age 83 or 84 in 1367. Note: Edward Balliol's reign is disputed. The longest-lived undisputed king was George III, who died at the age of 81 years, 239 days in 1820.
George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George; 14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death on 6 February 1952.
The concept of royalty is centuries old. It originated with the feudal systems of medieval Europe. Under feudalism, there were a few very powerful landowners who acquired large amounts of territory through military force or purchase. These landowners became high-ranking lords, and one of them was crowned king.
The King ascended to the throne at the age of 73, making Charles III the oldest person to become monarch in the United Kingdom. He was born at Buckingham Palace on 14 November 1948, four years before his mother's incredible reign began. King Charles III has distributed Maundy money for the first time in his reign.
Japan, considered a constitutional monarchy under the Imperial House of Japan, is traditionally said to have originated with the mythical Emperor Jimmu. The first verifiable historiographical evidence begins with Emperor Kinmei in the 6th century. It is the oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world.
Kubaba is the first recorded female ruler in history. She was the queen of Sumer, in what is now Iraq about 2,400 BC. Hatshepsut was ruler of Egypt.
Kingdoms also had the power to create and enforce laws. The first kingdoms were established about 3000 B.C.E. in Kengir, also known as Sumer, and Kemet, also known as ancient Egypt. Sumer was a kingdom that existed between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in what-is-now Iraq.
Shah Shapur II became king before he was even born, according to legend. Shapur II, who ruled the Sasanian Empire of Persia, was a monarch immediately upon his birth in 309 AD because his father had recently died. But legend has it that he was crowned while still in his mother's womb.
Some of the oldest recorded and evidenced monarchies were Narmer, Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt c. 3100 BCE, and Enmebaragesi, a Sumerian King of Kish c. 2600 BCE. From earliest records, monarchs could be directly hereditary, while others were elected from among eligible members.
In 1978, Vittorio Emanuele – the king who never was – got into trouble while he and his wife and kids were living on the island of Cavallo, on the south coast of Corsica, France.
Zedekiah ben Josiah was the last king of Judah, and under his leadership, in 586 BCE, Jerusalem was destroyed. Interestingly, the Hebrew and Old Greek versions of Jeremiah present very different portrayals of Zedekiah, prompting a variety of literary and historical-critical questions.
On 6 February 1952, George VI, King of the United Kingdom, died at the age of 56, at Sandringham House, after battling with a prolonged cancer. His state funeral took place on 15 February 1952.
Edward the Confessor, the king of England died childless on 5th January 1066, leaving no direct heir to the throne.
King Oyo of Uganda currently holds the world record for youngest reigning monarch. Oyo, who leads the Tooro kingdom of Uganda, was crowned in 1995, at age 3. During his coronation, he sat upon a miniature throne playing with toys, pulled off his crown, and crawled away into his mother's lap.
There have been 62 monarchs of England and Britain spread over a period of approximately 1200 years.
Along with his many other titles (Savior, Teacher, Son of Man, Son of God), the Bible declares that Jesus is the world's true King. His kingdom is unlike any this world has ever seen and known. And coming to know and follow him as King is the greatest adventure of our lives.
"King of Kings" (βασιλεὺς τῶν βασιλευόντων) is used in reference to Jesus Christ several times in the Bible, notably once in the First Epistle to Timothy (6:15) and twice in the Book of Revelation (17:14, 19:11–16);
The metaphor "king" above all expresses God's ultimate authority. To be king is to have authority over others. God is the king of kings (Dn 2:37; Rv 19:16).