Universal monarchy

A universal monarchy is a concept and political situation where one monarchy is deemed to have either sole rule over everywhere (or at least the predominant part of a geopolitical area or areas) or to have a special supremacy over all other states (or at least all the states in a geopolitical area or areas). Universal monarchy is differentiated from ordinary monarchy in that a universal monarchy is beholden to no other state and asserts a degree of total sovereignty over an area, or predominance over other states. The concept has arisen in Egypt, Europe, Asia and Peru. The concept is linked to that of Empire, but implies more than simply possessing imperium. The Latin phrase Dominus Mundi, Lord of the World, encapsulates the concept. Though in practice no universal monarchy, or indeed any state, ever held rule over the whole world, it may have appeared to many people, particularly pre-modern, that it did. Critical of the concept in Europe in the Middle Ages were philosophers such as Nicole Oresme and Erasmus; whereas Guillaume Postel was more favourable and Dante was a convinced adherent. Later, Protestants would seek to reject the concept, identifying it with Catholicism. For the ancient Egyptians, four directions of the world were regarded as “united in one head” of king. Ramses III was presented as the “commander of the whole land united in one.” Except the Amarna period, Egypt’s official ideology did not recognize coexistence of two or more kings. “The monarchy in Egypt constituted a unity, a single fraction, with universal application.” The Hymn of Victory of Thutmose III and the Stelae of Amenophis II proclaimed: “There is no one who makes a boundary with him... There is no boundary for him towards all lands united, towards all lands together.” Thutmos III was acknowledged: “None presents himself before thy majesty. The circuit of the Great Circle [Ocean] is included in thy grasp.” Asiatic kings recognized Tutankhamen: “There is none living in ignorance of thee.” The King was believed to be Son of the Sun and to rule all under the sun.