Top 10 Most Famous Kings In History

some fought for their greatness others

some fought for their greatness others simply inherited power but all of these

simply inherited power but all of these

simply inherited power but all of these men made history welcome to

men made history welcome to

men made history welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 most

down our picks for the top 10 most

down our picks for the top 10 most famous kings in history for this list we

famous kings in history for this list we

famous kings in history for this list we looked at the male monarchs who

looked at the male monarchs who

looked at the male monarchs who epitomize their era or change the course

epitomize their era or change the course

epitomize their era or change the course of world history many of these kings

of world history many of these kings

of world history many of these kings were celebrated in life

were celebrated in life

were celebrated in life others were maligned and some were of

others were maligned and some were of

others were maligned and some were of little significance in their own day yet

little significance in their own day yet

little significance in their own day yet all of their legacies have stood the

all of their legacies have stood the

all of their legacies have stood the test of time making the my conic symbols

test of time making the my conic symbols

test of time making the my conic symbols of kingly rule no dedication nowadays no

of kingly rule no dedication nowadays no

of kingly rule no dedication nowadays no consideration brothers number 10

consideration brothers number 10

consideration brothers number 10 frederick ii of prussia his father gave

frederick ii of prussia his father gave

frederick ii of prussia his father gave him braun his mother gave him brains and

him braun his mother gave him brains and

him braun his mother gave him brains and with these frederick ii turned prussia

with these frederick ii turned prussia

with these frederick ii turned prussia into a major European power his

into a major European power his

into a major European power his hard-fought victory in the Seven Years

hard-fought victory in the Seven Years

hard-fought victory in the Seven Years War doubled precious size and

War doubled precious size and

War doubled precious size and international clout and his absolute yet

international clout and his absolute yet

international clout and his absolute yet enlightened approach to rule saw the

enlightened approach to rule saw the

enlightened approach to rule saw the implementation of new educational and

implementation of new educational and

implementation of new educational and legal reforms within his country admired

legal reforms within his country admired

legal reforms within his country admired by Kings adored by his subjects

by Kings adored by his subjects

by Kings adored by his subjects frederick brought greatness to prussia

frederick brought greatness to prussia

frederick brought greatness to prussia and in doing so became frederick the

and in doing so became frederick the

and in doing so became frederick the great number nine high let’s say lassie

great number nine high let’s say lassie

great number nine high let’s say lassie the first his lineage traced back to

the first his lineage traced back to

the first his lineage traced back to king solomon and he’s considered a god

king solomon and he’s considered a god

king solomon and he’s considered a god in the Rastafarian tradition Emperor of

in the Rastafarian tradition Emperor of

in the Rastafarian tradition Emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie rousted Italian

Ethiopia Haile Selassie rousted Italian

Ethiopia Haile Selassie rousted Italian colonizers and ushered his country into

colonizers and ushered his country into

colonizers and ushered his country into the 20th century known for his ornately

the 20th century known for his ornately

the 20th century known for his ornately regal garb and mysteriously kingly gaze

regal garb and mysteriously kingly gaze

regal garb and mysteriously kingly gaze Selassie introduced many progressive

Selassie introduced many progressive

Selassie introduced many progressive reforms especially with respect to

reforms especially with respect to

reforms especially with respect to foreign civilization modernizing his

foreign civilization modernizing his

foreign civilization modernizing his country yet he ruled like a medieval

country yet he ruled like a medieval

country yet he ruled like a medieval despot and was overthrown in 1974 the

despot and was overthrown in 1974 the

despot and was overthrown in 1974 the last king of Ethiopia his reign marked

last king of Ethiopia his reign marked

last king of Ethiopia his reign marked the end of a three thousand-year-old

the end of a three thousand-year-old

the end of a three thousand-year-old dynasty number 8 Tutankhamun a child

dynasty number 8 Tutankhamun a child

dynasty number 8 Tutankhamun a child king who reigned only nine years

king who reigned only nine years

king who reigned only nine years Tutankhamun played a minor role in

Tutankhamun played a minor role in

Tutankhamun played a minor role in Egypt’s long history yet his burial site

Egypt’s long history yet his burial site

Egypt’s long history yet his burial site is one of the only intact tombs ever

is one of the only intact tombs ever

is one of the only intact tombs ever found revealing a wealth of

found revealing a wealth of

found revealing a wealth of extraordinary artifacts that shed new

extraordinary artifacts that shed new

extraordinary artifacts that shed new light on the ancient Egyptians which has

light on the ancient Egyptians which has

light on the ancient Egyptians which has made Tutankhamun an iconic symbol of

made Tutankhamun an iconic symbol of

made Tutankhamun an iconic symbol of this mysterious world despite being

this mysterious world despite being

this mysterious world despite being involved in several building projects

involved in several building projects

involved in several building projects and making attempts to improve relations

and making attempts to improve relations

and making attempts to improve relations with other kingdoms he was a ruler of

with other kingdoms he was a ruler of

with other kingdoms he was a ruler of little consequence in life however the

little consequence in life however the

little consequence in life however the discovery of his tomb made King Tut a

discovery of his tomb made King Tut a

discovery of his tomb made King Tut a legend 3,000 years after his death

legend 3,000 years after his death

legend 3,000 years after his death number seven Peter the first of Russia

number seven Peter the first of Russia

number seven Peter the first of Russia the Tsar inherited an inward-looking

the Tsar inherited an inward-looking

the Tsar inherited an inward-looking medieval kingdom and turned it into a

medieval kingdom and turned it into a

medieval kingdom and turned it into a powerful modernized Empire Peter the

powerful modernized Empire Peter the

powerful modernized Empire Peter the Great improved his country’s military

Great improved his country’s military

Great improved his country’s military streamlined governmental systems

streamlined governmental systems

streamlined governmental systems implemented education reform and

implemented education reform and

implemented education reform and expanded Russian territory along its

expanded Russian territory along its

expanded Russian territory along its eastern and southern borders though his

eastern and southern borders though his

eastern and southern borders though his efficacy as a ruler often crossed the

efficacy as a ruler often crossed the

efficacy as a ruler often crossed the line from proficiency to tyranny Peter

line from proficiency to tyranny Peter

line from proficiency to tyranny Peter the first is known for catalyzing his

the first is known for catalyzing his

the first is known for catalyzing his country’s progress and re-establishing

country’s progress and re-establishing

country’s progress and re-establishing Russia status as a major player on the

Russia status as a major player on the

Russia status as a major player on the international stage number six Hammurabi

international stage number six Hammurabi

international stage number six Hammurabi wanna make history write stuff down the

wanna make history write stuff down the

wanna make history write stuff down the sixth king of the first Babylonian

sixth king of the first Babylonian

sixth king of the first Babylonian dynasty Hammurabi is best known for his

dynasty Hammurabi is best known for his

dynasty Hammurabi is best known for his famous legal decree consisting of eight

famous legal decree consisting of eight

famous legal decree consisting of eight foot high carved tablets and one of the

foot high carved tablets and one of the

foot high carved tablets and one of the earliest examples of codified law ever

earliest examples of codified law ever

earliest examples of codified law ever found written in the Babylonian

found written in the Babylonian

found written in the Babylonian vernacular the Code of Hammurabi is

vernacular the Code of Hammurabi is

vernacular the Code of Hammurabi is famous for its eye for an eye approach

famous for its eye for an eye approach

famous for its eye for an eye approach to justice though modern lawmaking is

to justice though modern lawmaking is

to justice though modern lawmaking is generally less brutal Hammurabi is still

generally less brutal Hammurabi is still

generally less brutal Hammurabi is still celebrated as one of the earliest known

celebrated as one of the earliest known

celebrated as one of the earliest known lawmakers in the civilized world

lawmakers in the civilized world

lawmakers in the civilized world number five Charlemagne fierce warrior

number five Charlemagne fierce warrior

number five Charlemagne fierce warrior King and formidable political strategist

King and formidable political strategist

King and formidable political strategist Charlemagne unified most of Western

Charlemagne unified most of Western

Charlemagne unified most of Western Europe through a series of bloody

Europe through a series of bloody

Europe through a series of bloody military campaigns he attached himself

military campaigns he attached himself

military campaigns he attached himself to the last vestiges of ancient Rome by

to the last vestiges of ancient Rome by

to the last vestiges of ancient Rome by working to preserve Latin texts and

working to preserve Latin texts and

working to preserve Latin texts and enforcing Christianity throughout his

enforcing Christianity throughout his

enforcing Christianity throughout his vast territory he promoted literacy and

vast territory he promoted literacy and

vast territory he promoted literacy and established a network of diplomatic

established a network of diplomatic

established a network of diplomatic emissaries that centralized power and

emissaries that centralized power and

emissaries that centralized power and established his Carolingian Empire the

established his Carolingian Empire the

established his Carolingian Empire the medieval king with modern ideas

medieval king with modern ideas

medieval king with modern ideas Charlemagne’s innovate

Charlemagne’s innovate

Charlemagne’s innovate built the foundations of contemporary

built the foundations of contemporary

built the foundations of contemporary Europe number four cyrus ii of persia

Europe number four cyrus ii of persia

Europe number four cyrus ii of persia his life was chronicled by Herodotus the

his life was chronicled by Herodotus the

his life was chronicled by Herodotus the Bible holds him in the highest esteem

Bible holds him in the highest esteem

Bible holds him in the highest esteem Cyrus the Great built the Achaemenid

Cyrus the Great built the Achaemenid

Cyrus the Great built the Achaemenid Empire

Empire

Empire holding dominion over the largest

holding dominion over the largest

holding dominion over the largest kingdom in history with a territory that

kingdom in history with a territory that

kingdom in history with a territory that stretched over three continents Cyrus’s

stretched over three continents Cyrus’s

stretched over three continents Cyrus’s military innovation and political

military innovation and political

military innovation and political ingenuity was felt across most of the

ingenuity was felt across most of the

ingenuity was felt across most of the ancient world inspirational to

ancient world inspirational to

ancient world inspirational to subsequent conquerors a hero of the

subsequent conquerors a hero of the

subsequent conquerors a hero of the Persian Empire Cyrus the Great is a

Persian Empire Cyrus the Great is a

Persian Empire Cyrus the Great is a central figure in the history of Eastern

central figure in the history of Eastern

central figure in the history of Eastern and Western civilization number three

and Western civilization number three

and Western civilization number three Alexander the 3rd of Macedon Alexander

Alexander the 3rd of Macedon Alexander

Alexander the 3rd of Macedon Alexander there’s another ancient law of kingship

there’s another ancient law of kingship

there’s another ancient law of kingship to trust no one and to learn how to be

to trust no one and to learn how to be

to trust no one and to learn how to be alone he had a kingdom at 20 and an

alone he had a kingdom at 20 and an

alone he had a kingdom at 20 and an empire by 32 Alexander the Great was a

empire by 32 Alexander the Great was a

empire by 32 Alexander the Great was a military genius whose territory spanned

military genius whose territory spanned

military genius whose territory spanned from the Adriatic Sea to the Indus River

from the Adriatic Sea to the Indus River

from the Adriatic Sea to the Indus River a man of legendary vision Alexander

a man of legendary vision Alexander

a man of legendary vision Alexander toppled great dynasties built new cities

toppled great dynasties built new cities

toppled great dynasties built new cities and promoted the spread of Greek ideas

and promoted the spread of Greek ideas

and promoted the spread of Greek ideas and culture throughout the ancient world

and culture throughout the ancient world

and culture throughout the ancient world a celebrated hero of the Classical Age

a celebrated hero of the Classical Age

a celebrated hero of the Classical Age Alexander’s rise to power was Swift and

Alexander’s rise to power was Swift and

Alexander’s rise to power was Swift and short-lived but his legacy resonates

short-lived but his legacy resonates

short-lived but his legacy resonates even today what every warrior has known

even today what every warrior has known

even today what every warrior has known since the beginning of time

since the beginning of time

since the beginning of time conquer your fear and I promise you

conquer your fear and I promise you

conquer your fear and I promise you you’ll conquer death number two Henry

you’ll conquer death number two Henry

you’ll conquer death number two Henry the eighth of England hey heyy hi Henry

the eighth of England hey heyy hi Henry

the eighth of England hey heyy hi Henry by the grace of God King of England

by the grace of God King of England

by the grace of God King of England Ireland and France do hereby it up I

cannot be that while you were here sir I

cannot be that while you were here sir I would be a liar during this summit I am

would be a liar during this summit I am

would be a liar during this summit I am simply Henry king of England he may have

simply Henry king of England he may have

simply Henry king of England he may have started the English Reformation but

started the English Reformation but

started the English Reformation but let’s face it Henry the eighth’s six

let’s face it Henry the eighth’s six

let’s face it Henry the eighth’s six wives are why he’s famous highly

wives are why he’s famous highly

wives are why he’s famous highly educated and charismatic Henry was also

educated and charismatic Henry was also

educated and charismatic Henry was also extremely cutthroat literally political

extremely cutthroat literally political

extremely cutthroat literally political enemies were beheaded and personal foes

enemies were beheaded and personal foes

enemies were beheaded and personal foes often suffered the same fate his

often suffered the same fate his

often suffered the same fate his marriages to Anne Boleyn and Catherine

marriages to Anne Boleyn and Catherine

marriages to Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard ended at the executioner’s

Howard ended at the executioner’s

Howard ended at the executioner’s chopping block though his personal

chopping block though his personal

chopping block though his personal troubles were motivated by the desire

troubles were motivated by the desire

troubles were motivated by the desire for male heir Henry the eighth would

for male heir Henry the eighth would

for male heir Henry the eighth would come to father two of England’s most

come to father two of England’s most

come to father two of England’s most famous queens I still don’t care I

famous queens I still don’t care I

famous queens I still don’t care I ordered you to get someone else I want

ordered you to get someone else I want

ordered you to get someone else I want to dance I want it over with finished go

to dance I want it over with finished go

to dance I want it over with finished go and do it all by God’s blood your China

and do it all by God’s blood your China

and do it all by God’s blood your China before we crown our pick for number one

before we crown our pick for number one

before we crown our pick for number one here are a few honorable mentions

number one louis xiv of france he built

number one louis xiv of france he built the Palace of Versailles and embarked on

the Palace of Versailles and embarked on

the Palace of Versailles and embarked on a series of costly Wars then we wanted

a series of costly Wars then we wanted

a series of costly Wars then we wanted to project an image of power louis xiv

to project an image of power louis xiv

to project an image of power louis xiv symbolizes the frivolity of 18th century

symbolizes the frivolity of 18th century

symbolizes the frivolity of 18th century monarch achill rule by taking opulence

monarch achill rule by taking opulence

monarch achill rule by taking opulence and absolutism to their extreme some

and absolutism to their extreme some

and absolutism to their extreme some argue louis xiv thrust france into

argue louis xiv thrust france into

argue louis xiv thrust france into financial ruin

financial ruin

financial ruin which led his country down the road to

which led his country down the road to

which led his country down the road to revolution called the son king in life

revolution called the son king in life

revolution called the son king in life his legacy casts a long dark shadow

his legacy casts a long dark shadow

his legacy casts a long dark shadow making him the most famous and notorious

making him the most famous and notorious

making him the most famous and notorious king in history do you agree with our

king in history do you agree with our

king in history do you agree with our list which magnificent monarch or royal

list which magnificent monarch or royal

list which magnificent monarch or royal renegade needs more attention for more

renegade needs more attention for more

renegade needs more attention for more historical top 10s published every day

historical top 10s published every day

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