Imperial Cult - Examples of Divine Kings in History

Examples of Divine Kings in History

See also: sacred king

Some examples of historic leaders who are often considered divine kings are:

  • Africa
    • Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt
    • Ghanas (Kings) of the Empire of Ghana
    • Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia was an Ethiopian Orthodox Christian, and did not consider himself divine, but the Rastafari movement in Jamaica saw him as the second coming of Christ.
  • Asia
    • Chinese pseudo-Christian leader Hong Xiuquan, leader of the Taiping Rebellion, claimed to be Christ's younger brother, and attempted to establish rule as a divine king.
    • Korean Buddhist monk Gung-ye, King of Taebong.
    • The Japanese emperor Shōwa up to the end of World War II.
    • Javanese Kings during Hindu-Buddhist era (4th century – 15th century AD) such as Sailendra dynasty, Kediri, Singhasari and Majapahit empire.
    • Kings of Khmer Empire, Cambodia.
    • Srivijaya emperors.
    • The Dalai Lamas of Tibet.
  • Americas
    • Kings of the Mayan city-states of the Classical period
    • Inca Emperors in Pre-Columbian Peru
    • Kings or Akua Aliʻi of the Hawaiian Islands before 1839
  • Europe
    • Many Roman emperors were declared gods by the Roman Senate (generally after their death). (See Imperial cult (ancient Rome))

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