Haile Selassie I
1892 - 1975
His lineage traced back to King Solomon and he is considered a god in the Rastafarian tradition. Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie ousted Italian colonizers, and ushered his country into the 20th century. Known for his ornately regal garb and mysterious kingly gaze, Selassie introduced many progressive reforms, especially with respect to foreign civilization, modernizing his country. Yet he ruled like a medieval despot and was overthrown in 1974. The last king of Ethiopia, his reign marked the end of a three-thousand-year-old dynasty.
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#8: Tutankhamen
c. 1341 - c. 23 BC
A child king who reigned only nine years, Tutankhamen played a minor role in Egypt’s long history. Yet his burial site is one of the only intact tombs ever found, revealing a wealth of extraordinary artifacts that shed new light on the ancient Egyptians, which has made Tutankhamen an iconic symbol of this mysterious world. Despite being involved in several building projects and making attempts to improve relations with other kingdoms, he was a ruler of little consequence in life. However, the discovery of his tomb made King Tut a legend three thousand years after his death.
#7: Peter I of Russia
1672 - 1725
The Tsar inherited an inward looking, medieval kingdom and turned it into a powerful, modernized empire. Peter the Great improved his country’s military, streamlined governmental systems, implemented education reform, and expanded Russian territory along its Eastern and Southern borders. Though his efficacy as a ruler often crossed the line from proficiency to tyranny, Peter I is best known for catalyzing his country’s progress, and re-establishing Russia’s status as major player on the international stage.
#6: Hammurabi
Unknown - c. 1750 BC
Want to make history? Write stuff down. The sixth king of the First Babylonian Dynasty, Hammurabi is best known for his famous legal decree – consisting of eight-foot high carved tablets and one of the earliest examples of codified law ever found. Written in the Babylonian vernacular, the Code of Hammurabi is famous for its “eye for an eye” approach to justice. Though modern law making is generally less brutal, Hammurabi is still celebrated as one of the earliest known lawmakers in the civilized world.
#5: Charlemagne
c. 742 - 814
Fierce warrior king and formidable political strategist, Charlemagne unified most of Western Europe through a series of bloody military campaigns. He attached himself to the last vestiges of ancient Rome by working to preserve Latin texts and enforcing Christianity throughout his vast territory. He promoted literacy, and established a network of diplomatic emissaries that centralized power and established his Carolingian Empire. The medieval king with modern ideas, Charlemagne’s innovations built the foundations of contemporary Europe.