Ancient kingship often claims:

• divine descent;
• heavenly mandate;
• priestly function;
• cosmic mediation;
• maintenance of Ma’at/order;
• guardianship of fertility;
• sacred law.

Primordial kingship before its corruption.

Then later:

• Nimrod/empire;
• Pharaoh;
• tyrant;
• divine kingship gone wrong;
• Israelite kingship;
• Christ the King;
• future Royal Kingship.

King and Priest Were Once One

In many ancient societies, political and sacred power are not separated as they later become.

The earliest ruler may function as:

• priest;
• lawgiver;
• astronomer;
• ritual mediator;
• builder;
• warrior;
• judge.

That integrated office later fragments into separate social roles.

This parallels the fragmentation of the complete human being.

The Royal Art’s King ultimately reintegrates them inwardly:

• prophet;
• priest;
• knight;
• wizard;
• builder;
• bard.