If you think medieval monarchs were all prim and proper, prepare to meet a lineup of the most badass medieval figures whose nicknames sound more like punchlines than regal titles. From blood‑thirsty Vikings to scheming French kings, these leaders wore their monikers like battle‑scarred armor.

Why These Badass Medieval Monarchs Matter

Beyond the colorful epithets lies a tapestry of power struggles, daring escapes, and ruthless politics that shaped entire regions. Their stories prove that a memorable nickname can be both a warning and a badge of honor.

10 Lugaid ‘Son Of A Bitch’ High King Of Ireland

Early Irish chronicles are as reliable as a caffeine‑fueled babysitter, yet they tell us that Lugaid seized the throne at Tara around AD 200. Known as “Mac Con,” which translates to “Son of a Bitch” (or literally “Son of the Hound”), the nickname sprang from a bizarre childhood episode: the infant Lugaid allegedly suckled from the teats of his stepfather Ailill “Nude‑Ear’s” hunting dog.

Growing up into a quarrelsome youth, Lugaid allied with a rebel named Nemed to battle both Nude‑Ear and the High King Art mac Cuinn. After Nemed fell, Lugaid was dispatched to Scotland, only to return later with an army, slay King Art, and claim the crown at the Battle of Mag Mucrama—literally the “Plain of Pig‑Counting.”

He later adopted Art’s son Cormac, ruled for seven years, and was eventually deposed by the ungrateful bastard. Seeking refuge with his stepfather, Lugaid received a brutal bite on the cheek from Nude‑Ear’s foul‑toothed maw. The wound festered for three days, and as Lugaid tried to flee, a warrior caught him and speared him straight through the face.

9 Ragnarr ‘Hairypants’ Chief Of The Vikings

Ragnarr, a mid‑ninth‑century Scandinavian chieftain, earned the fearsome epithet “Loobrok,” which translates to “Hairypants” (sometimes rendered “Hairy Breeches”). Legend claims the moniker arose from a pair of cow‑hide leggings he wore while battling a venomous serpent.

His reign was marked by church‑burning raids and Christian massacres until King Aella of Northumbria captured him and tossed him into a pit of adders—presumably without his protective, fuzzy trousers. Ragnarr’s notorious sons—Ivar “the Boneless” and Sigurd “Snake‑in‑the‑Eye”—later formed the Great Heathen Army and exacted a bloody revenge on Aella.

Some scholars argue Ragnarr is a composite saga hero, but a possible historical seed is Reginheri, a pillager whose fatal bout of diarrhea left his pants matted and, by extension, “hairy.”

8 Ludwig ‘The Leaper’ Count Of Thuringia

In the mid‑11th century, Ludwig the Bearded ruled Thuringia. To set himself apart from his similarly hirsute father, Ludwig Jr. tried to claim the Saxon county palatine, only to discover Frederick already held the title. Undeterred, Ludwig stabbed Frederick, prompting his henchmen to imprison the Count in a tower.

After three years of confinement, his captors grew weary of his constant hopping around the cell and announced his execution. Seizing the moment, Ludwig leapt from the tower into the Saale River, clambered onto a waiting boat, and rode away on his favorite horse—earning him the nickname “der Springer,” the Leaper.Never one to let a good view go to waste, Ludwig later eyed a mountain outside his borders, carted in soil from his own lands, piled it atop the peak, and erected the Wartburg castle—a fortress that still dominates the skyline today.

7 Louis ‘The Universal Spider’ King Of France

While some historians label him “the Prudent” or “the Cunning,” the more vivid nickname for Louis XI was “l’Universelle Aragne”—the Universal Spider—reflecting his talent for weaving intricate webs of intrigue rather than for any penchant for flies.

As Crown Prince, Louis raised armies against his own father, Charles “the Well‑Served,” and even insulted the king’s lover. He later married a twelve‑year‑old princess, a match his father disapproved of. When Charles died in 1461, Louis ascended the throne and swiftly ended a 116‑year war with England.

He then turned his cunning toward Charles “the Bold,” Duke of Burgundy, delegating the fight to the Swiss. A Swiss poleax felled the Duke, turning him from “the Bold” into “the Dead.” The rest of Louis’s reign saw economic reforms, consultations with astrologers, and a legacy that lives on in the works of Shakespeare, Sir Walter Scott, and Victor Hugo.

6 Vsevolod ‘The Big Nest’ Grand Prince Of Vladimir

Vsevolod was born into the sprawling family of Yuri “Long‑Arms,” who already had ten heirs. His mother Helene whisked him away to Constantinople after Yuri’s death, where he spent his youth amid Byzantine splendor.

At sixteen, Vsevolod married the Ossetian princess Maria Shvarnovna. His nickname “Balshoe Gniezdo” (Big Nest) references the fourteen children he later sired with Maria. Three years into the marriage, Vsevolod returned to Kiev, outmaneuvered his brothers, and reclaimed his father’s realm.

Kidnapped shortly thereafter, he was ransomed by his elder brother Mikhalko, who then died, leaving Vsevolod the city of Vladimir. He responded by crushing dissent, terrorizing the nobility, pillaging neighboring lands, and cementing alliances through the marriages of his many daughters. He also proclaimed that Vladimir’s rulers would henceforth be titled Grand Princes, a testament to his ambition and prolific progeny.

5 Wladyslaw ‘Spindleshanks’ Duke Of Poland

The moniker “Laskonogi,” or “Spindleshanks,” alludes to Wladyslaw III’s unusually long, thin legs. He was the fifth son of Duke Mieszko “the Old” of Poland and was exiled early by a jealous half‑brother. By 1202, a brutal family feud had eliminated his four older brothers and his father, leaving the throne within his reach.

Wladyslaw’s reign lasted a mere four years before disgruntled nobles rebelled and ousted him. He then spent the rest of his life locked in a perpetual struggle against archbishops, relatives, and rival warlords. His chief adversary was his nephew, Wladyslaw “the Spitter,” and the two were so consumed by mutual hatred that they often ignored external threats to focus on killing each other.

In his late sixties, he briefly reclaimed the dukedom, only to be driven out again two years later. The final chapter of his life saw him indulging in prostitution, and when he finally tried to seduce a woman, she turned the tables and killed him.

4 Alfonso ‘The Slobberer’ King Of Leon

Alfonso IX ascended the throne of León and Galicia in 1188, earning the nickname “El Baboso” (The Slobberer) for his habit of spitting during fits of rage. His kingdom was squeezed between the powerful Castile and the Moorish realms, prompting him to lead drool‑soaked invasions against both.

His marital life was equally tumultuous. After an annulment of his marriage to his first cousin Theresa of Portugal by a papal legate, he married another cousin, Berengaria of Castile. Pope Celestine III intervened, forcing him back to Theresa, yet Alfonso persisted, marrying and divorcing with the same reckless abandon.

Beyond the chaos, Alfonso founded Spain’s first university at Salamanca and convened the Cortes Generales—one of Europe’s earliest parliaments. His son Ferdinand later became king of Castile and León, paving the way toward a united Spain.

3 Olaf ‘Little Snack’ King Of The Isles

Vikings loved giving their most imposing leaders ludicrous monikers, and Olaf, who ruled the Hebrides and the Isle of Man in the mid‑12th century, was no exception. Known as “Bitlingr” (Morsel) or “Kliningr” (Bread and Butter), his nickname implied a bite‑sized stature despite his formidable presence.

After a brother named Lagman castrated another sibling, Olaf sought refuge in England while Lagman vanished after 1100. Seizing the opportunity, Olaf returned to his islands, which were under Orcadian attack, and, with the help of his son‑in‑law Somerled, repelled the invaders and assembled a fleet so powerful that no one dared challenge him.

Olaf also maintained a sizeable harem and fathered many children. After four decades of iron‑fisted rule, his own nephews conspired to kill him. His son Godred avenged the murder by blinding two of the conspirators and slaying the third.

2 –tyname’ Emperor Of Byzantium

Constantine V earned the derisive nickname “Copronymous,” meaning “Dung‑Named,” after rivals spread a rumor that the infant emperor soiled his baptismal font. He ruled during a period of external pressure from Arabs and Bulgarians and internal strife between iconodules (image worshippers) and iconoclasts (image destroyers).

An avowed iconoclast, Constantine defeated a coup led by his brother‑in‑law Artabasdos, blinding the usurper and his children. He then launched a ruthless campaign: destroying religious icons, lynching abbots, and forcing rebellious monks to marry nuns. Contemporary chroniclers described him as a “pernicious, crazed, bloodthirsty, and most savage beast.”

Despite the turmoil, Constantine achieved military successes, invading Syria, crushing the Arab navy, and slaughtering the Bulgarians. He died in 775 from swollen legs, a demise his enemies claimed was divine retribution. Later, iconodule opponents exhumed his remains and tossed them into the sea.

1 Ivaylo ‘The Cabbage’ Tzar Of Bulgaria

In 13th‑century Bulgaria, swineherd Ivaylo rose against a backdrop of disease, famine, and relentless Mongol raids. In 1277, he rallied a peasant army and challenged the complacent nobility. Nobles derided him with nicknames like “Bardovka” (Radish) and “Lahanas” (Cabbage).

Ivaylo’s boldness paid off: he personally slew the chariot‑riding tzar, seized the crown, and married the queen. He ruled for a single year, during which Byzantine forces attempted to dethrone him, but he outmaneuvered their armies.Eventually, a royal relative rallied the salad‑hating nobles, forcing Ivaylo to flee to his former enemies—the Mongols. Unwilling to aid a man named after a vegetable, the Mongols assassinated him two years later. Nevertheless, he is remembered for leading one of the earliest popular uprisings in medieval Europe.

When you hear the phrase 10 incredible true stories of common folk turning into monarchs, you might think it belongs in a fairy‑tale. Yet history is littered with real‑life legends of peasants who clawed their way up to crowns, thrones, and imperial robes. Below, we dive into ten astonishing accounts that prove power can indeed rise from the most modest beginnings.

10 Incredible True Highlights

10. Servius Tullius, King Of Rome

Exact details of Servius Tullius’s youth remain hazy, but Roman tradition paints him as a slave‑born lad whose very name hints at servitude. Some narratives claim he was the offspring of a captured princess sold during the siege of Corniculum, while other scholars argue the aristocracy fabricated the tale to mask their discomfort with a commoner on the throne. Regardless, legends agree that destiny marked him early—stories speak of his head igniting with divine flames while he slept, a portent of greatness.

His fortunes shifted when he caught the eye of Tanaquil, the prophetic wife of King Tarquinius Priscus. After foretelling a glittering future for Servius, she arranged his marriage to her daughter and plotted to position him as her husband’s successor. This maneuver angered the previous king’s heirs, prompting a mysterious axe‑murder of Tarquinius. Tanaquil deftly claimed the king survived, installed Servius as regent during his recovery, and when the old monarch’s death was finally announced, Servius ascended the throne.

Ruling for roughly 43 years, Servius defeated the Etruscans, instituted Rome’s inaugural census, and divided citizens into six official classes. His reign radiated prosperity, so much so that later Romans often credit him with the city’s foundational customs. He met his end around 535 B.C., allegedly slain on the orders of his own daughter Tullia, who famously rode over his corpse en route to crown her husband.

9. Liu Bang, Emperor Of Han

Liu Bang entered the world in Pei County (today part of Jiangsu) around 256 B.C., born to a modest farming family. Legend says his birth was heralded by a thunderous storm and a spectral dragon hovering beside his cradle, and he bore 72 dark moles on his thigh—an auspicious number in ancient China. As a grown man, he served as a low‑level official in the Si River precinct, spending his days drinking and pursuing women, yet never paying for his libations; tavern owners allegedly tolerated him because a ghostly dragon appeared whenever he passed out, drawing patrons.

His luck continued when a prominent magistrate visited town. Liu offered no gifts, but cleverly wrote on his calling card that he had given a large sum of cash. The magistrate, amused and impressed by Liu’s confident demeanor, married his daughter to him. Later, Liu escorted prisoners and witnessed the grand procession of Qin Shi Huang, the first Qin emperor. Legends claim Liu, awestruck, remarked that a man should aspire to such splendor.

Following the Qin emperor’s death, Liu rebelled, joining forces with warlord Xiang Yu. He quickly proved himself a formidable commander, gaining a massive following. Xiang Yu, perhaps misjudging Liu, granted him control of the old Han kingdom in western China—a mistake that sparked a fierce rivalry. By 202 B.C., Xiang Yu had taken his own life, and Liu was proclaimed emperor. Known for his colorful temperament—once allegedly urinating in a scholar’s hat—Liu also earned a reputation for humanity, lowering taxes for peasants and revitalizing the economy.

8. Maximinus Thrax, Emperor Of Rome

Born in Thrace around A.D. 173, Maximinus Thrax’s early years are shrouded, though contemporary accounts describe him as a shepherd who grew into a literal “human mountain”—reportedly standing at least 2.5 meters (8 feet) tall with muscles like cords of rope. While such figures may be exaggerated, his sheer physical prowess attracted the attention of Emperor Septimius Severus, who promoted him for his battlefield strength. Maximinus eventually commanded an army on the Rhine, and when Severus was assassinated, his troops proclaimed Maximinus emperor.

His three‑year reign was dominated by relentless warfare along the Danube and Rhine, fending off invading tribes. Meanwhile, discontented African landowners revolted, assassinating tax collectors and crowning Gordian I as emperor—a short‑lived experiment that ended with Gordian’s suicide after his son fell in battle. The Roman Senate, eager to oust the barbarian Maximinus, used the chaos to appoint two new emperors, only to be forced out by Gordian III, the grandson of the first Gordian.

Incensed by the turmoil, Maximinus marched into Italy, confronting stiff resistance in the north. His own soldiers grew weary of endless conflict and, in A.D. 238, turned on their leader, murdering Maximinus and his son—ironically at the hands of the very army that had elevated him.

7. Justinian, Justin & Theodora

Born in A.D. 483, the Byzantine Emperor Justinian emerged from a modest Illyrian peasant family that spoke Latin, though he notoriously spoke Greek with a heavy accent. His birth name, Petrus Sabbatius, was swapped for Justinian in honor of his uncle Justin, who led the palace guard after arriving in Constantinople with nothing but the clothes on their backs and a scrap of bread. When Emperor Anastasius died without an heir, Justin seized power, claiming he was forced into the role after a volatile crowd threatened unrest unless a new ruler was chosen.

Having risen through the ranks without formal schooling, Justinian served as his uncle’s adviser, learning the ropes of governance. By 521, he held the consulship and wrote to the Pope referring to the empire as “our state.” He officially succeeded his uncle in 527, having already been named co‑emperor four months earlier. His 38‑year reign featured sweeping legal reforms, the codification of Roman law, and military campaigns reclaiming North Africa and parts of Italy.

Theodora, Justinian’s wife, also hailed from humble origins—her father was a bear‑trainer at the famed Hippodrome, and she worked as an actress, a profession then linked to prostitution. Despite societal prejudice, Theodora wielded considerable influence, championing women’s rights across classes. During the Nika riots—an explosive chariot‑racing dispute that threatened to engulf Constantinople—Theodora famously declared, “Never will I see the day when I am not saluted as empress,” prompting Justinian to stay and suppress the revolt, thereby securing his throne.

6. Ivaylo The Cabbage, Tsar Of The Bulgars

Ivaylo’s birthdate remains a mystery, but scholars place his origins in northeast Bulgaria, likely near Provadia. Nicknamed “Lakhanas” (Greek for “cabbage”) and “Bardovka” (Bulgarian for “lettuce”), he earned these monikers due to his illiterate, peasant background. In 1277, he rallied a peasant army to fend off Mongol incursions that the reigning Tsar Konstantin had failed to address.

Ivaylo’s string of victories sparked rumors that he could overthrow the established order. In response, Konstantin dispatched forces to eliminate “the Cabbage,” but Ivaylo’s troops routed the royal army, and some accounts even claim Ivaylo personally slew Konstantin in single combat. Following his triumph over both Mongols and the Tsar, Ivaylo married Konstantin’s widow and was crowned king in 1278.

His reign was fleeting—lasting only about a year before the Mongols returned and killed him. Nonetheless, Ivaylo remains celebrated as the sole successful peasant uprising leader in medieval European history.

5. Zhu Yuanzhang, Emperor Of China

Zhu Chongba, later known as Zhu Yuanzhang, was born around A.D. 1328 in Haozhou (modern‑day Fengyang, Anhui Province) to a destitute peasant family. His childhood was fraught with hardship; later accounts claim he survived on grass and bark. Orphaned at 16, he sought refuge in a Nanjing monastery, where he received basic literacy training—a skill that would later prove invaluable.

When the monastery was destroyed in 1352 by forces suspecting Red Turban affiliations, Zhu fled and joined the Red Turbans, a rebel faction tied to the secretive White Lotus Society. Demonstrating keen military acumen, he swiftly rose through the ranks, eventually commanding his own forces. In 1356, his troops seized Nanjing, which later became the Ming capital.

By 1363, Zhu eliminated rival rebel leader Chen Youliang at the decisive Battle of Lake Poyang. Five years later, his forces captured the Yuan capital (present‑day Beijing), and he proclaimed himself emperor at Nanjing, founding the illustrious Ming Dynasty.

4. Karin Mansdotter, Queen Of Sweden

Karin Mansdotter entered the world on November 6, 1550, her birth date recorded thanks to her future husband’s penchant for astrology, which kept a detailed horoscope. The daughter of a common soldier, she likely helped her mother sell vegetables and nuts in the market. Romantic legends claim King Eric XIV fell in love at first sight while riding through the market, but historical records suggest she was a servant employed by the king’s favorite musician, where she eventually crossed paths with the monarch.

Enamored, Eric made Karin his royal mistress before officially crowning her queen in a splendid 1568 ceremony. Unfortunately, Eric’s reign was marred by mental instability and brutal actions, including the murders of two Sture family members and imprisoning his own brothers. This turmoil sparked a rebellion, and Karin’s queenship lasted a mere 87 days before Eric was deposed.

After Eric’s downfall, the couple endured house arrest for several years. Eric later attempted a coup and was poisoned; Karin, widely regarded as a calming influence, faced no charges and was released. Loved by the populace, she was granted a royal estate in Finland, where she lived until her death in 1612.

3. Dowager Empress Cixi

Born on November 29, 1835, in Beijing, Cixi rose from a modest Manchu family to become one of China’s most influential women. At 16, she entered the imperial harem as a low‑ranking concubine. Legend says the emperor overheard her singing one night and was so captivated that she quickly became a favorite.

She gave birth to a son in 1856, earning the title “Tzu Hsi” (Empress of the Western Palace). When the emperor died in 1861, Cixi assumed regency for her five‑year‑old son, the future Emperor Tongzhi, sharing power with the senior consort Dowager Empress Ci’an and Prince Gong, Tongzhi’s uncle.

The regency continued until Tongzhi reached adulthood at 17, only to die childless 13 years later. Cixi then installed her three‑year‑old nephew as emperor, again serving as regent alongside Ci’an and Prince Gong. After Ci’an’s death in 1881, Cixi became the sole ruler, retiring briefly to a lavish summer palace before returning to power in 1898 following China’s defeat in the Sino‑Japanese War. She remained the de facto ruler until her death in 1908, leaving a complex legacy.

2. Mao Tse Tung

Mao Zedong was born on December 26, 1893, into a humble farming family in Shaoshan, Hunan Province, where three generations tilled a modest three‑acre plot. He briefly attended a village school, but by age 13 he was working full‑time on the family farm. At 14, his father attempted to force an arranged marriage, which Mao resisted. Three years later, he abandoned the marriage, enrolled in a secondary school in Changsha, and later lost his wife to dysentery.

While studying in Changsha, the Xinhai Revolution erupted, prompting Mao to enlist with Sun Yat‑sen’s Kuomintang. After a short stint, he became an assistant librarian in Beijing, where he forged connections with the Communist Party. By 1935, Mao emerged as a leading communist strategist, steering the victorious fight against the Nationalists during the 1946‑1949 Civil War and becoming the inaugural leader of the People’s Republic of China.

In his 30‑year rule, Mao wielded power akin to a president, with Zhou En‑lai as premier. He launched sweeping programs such as the Great Leap Forward (1958‑1962) and the Cultural Revolution (1966‑1976). The former caused a catastrophic famine, claiming an estimated 30 million lives, while the latter reshaped Chinese society. Mao’s legacy remains contested, with modern China still grappling with his impact.

1. Phoolan Devi, The Bandit Queen

Although Phoolan Devi never wore a crown, the Indian press crowned her the “Bandit Queen,” and her life reads like a modern‑day legend. Born into poverty in Uttar Pradesh in 1963, her family struggled on a tiny plot that barely fed six members, leaving Phoolan to endure frequent hunger.

At eleven, she was forced into an arranged marriage with an abusive husband. Unable to endure the torment, she fled—covering a distance so vast it’s likened to crossing Texas—only to return home, where her family urged her to commit suicide. She refused, but her tribulations only deepened.

Scorned for abandoning her husband, Phoolan still defended her father in a legal battle against a well‑connected cousin who had swindled much of the family land. By twenty‑one, she was arrested on accusations of robbing that cousin’s house. In prison, she endured repeated beatings and rapes. Later, a band of lower‑caste dacoits kidnapped her; one member, Vikram Mallah, admired her and, after killing the gang’s leader, became chief, making Phoolan his mistress.

Tragedy struck when Mallah was slain by rival bandits, and Phoolan was captured and taken to Behmai, where upper‑caste officials publicly humiliated and repeatedly raped her. After twenty‑three days of captivity, she escaped, rejoined the gang, and was proclaimed its new leader. Her first act: returning to Behmai for a brutal retaliation, known as the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, where at least twenty‑two men were executed publicly, sparking a massive manhunt.

The hunt lasted just over two years before Phoolan negotiated surrender terms for herself and several accomplices. During her outlaw years, she allegedly conducted at least eighteen kidnappings for ransom and frequently gave money to the poor, earning a Robin‑Hood reputation. After surrender, she served eleven years before charges were dropped. She later entered politics, winning a parliamentary seat, but was assassinated on July 25, 2001, at age 37—an end foreseen by a former dacoit who warned, “If Phoolan has killed, she will be killed in return.”

A common motif in medieval art is the Wheel of Fate: a spoked wheel with a king perched at the top, only to be toppled and shown as a beggar when the wheel turns. The opposite side of that wheel, however, tells a different story—how a beggar can rise to sit upon the throne. Throughout history, a handful of the most unexpected individuals have spun the wheel in their favor, climbing from obscurity to the pinnacle of power. In this roundup, we explore 10 unlikely people who managed to become monarchs against all odds.

10 Unlikely People Who Became Monarchs

10 Claudius

Born into the illustrious Claudian clan, Tiberius Claudius Drusus should have been destined for a prominent role in Rome’s imperial machine. His grandmother Livia was wed to Augustus, his great‑uncle Tiberius ascended to the purple, and his nephew Caligula followed suit. Yet, a crippling disability turned him into a societal outcast: he limped, stammered, drooled, and his hands trembled, earning his own mother’s scornful label of “monster.” Caligula, his nephew, delighted in mocking the frail uncle throughout his reign.

When Caligula’s reign of terror finally provoked a conspiracy, assassins struck the emperor in hopes of reviving the Republic—there was no clear heir. In the chaotic aftermath, soldiers ransacking the palace discovered Claudius cowering behind curtains. Mistaking his quiet presence for a sign, they dragged him out and proclaimed him emperor on the spot.

Scholars still debate Claudius’s effectiveness. Some argue he was a puppet of low‑born officials and his wives, while others credit him with the successful conquest of Britain. After his death, he was deified, suggesting his legacy was respectable enough to earn divine honor.

9 Ivaylo The Cabbage

Ivaylo’s ascent proves that royal blood isn’t a prerequisite for a throne. Emerging from the Bulgarian peasantry—perhaps even as a swineherd—he dreamed of grandeur. In the thirteenth‑century Balkans, Mongol incursions plagued the land, prompting Ivaylo to rally fellow disgruntled peasants into an army that pushed the invaders back. His victories alarmed both the reigning Bulgarian tsar, Constantine, and the Byzantine emperor, prompting a showdown.

Ivaylo’s forces met Constantine’s troops on the battlefield, and the tsar suffered a crushing defeat, possibly at Ivaylo’s own hands. To solidify his claim, Ivaylo married the widowed consort of the slain tsar. Yet his reign was immediately contested by Byzantine interests and fresh Mongol raids. Though he continued to win battles, the Bulgarian aristocracy eventually exiled him among the very Mongols he’d once fought, where he met his end. His rule lasted barely a year, yet he remains a beloved folk hero, derisively nicknamed “the Cabbage” or “the Radish” to mock his modest origins.

8 Basil I

Even the Byzantine Empire, with its imperial pedigree, wasn’t immune to the rise of a commoner. Basil, born to a peasant family, leveraged his striking looks to secure a position in the imperial stables. A wrestling triumph earned him the eye of Emperor Michael III, known as “the Drunkard.” The two quickly became inseparable, and Michael married Basil to one of his favored mistresses as a token of favor.

Under Michael’s orders, Basil eliminated the emperor’s uncle, catapulting himself to the position of second‑most powerful man at court and eventually earning the title of co‑emperor. When Michael began to dote on a new favorite, Basil seized the moment: at a drunken banquet, he ordered his men to slay both Michael and the newcomer, thus becoming sole ruler of the Byzantine realm.

His reign, lasting nineteen years, was marked by prosperity and territorial expansion. Basil’s life ended tragically when, during a hunt, his belt became entangled in a stag’s horns, delivering a fatal wound.

7 Justin I

Before Basil’s ascent, the Eastern Roman Empire already witnessed a swineherd’s rise to imperial power. Born Istok in Thrace, Justin fled a barbarian onslaught with two companions, carrying only a sack of bread and tattered garments. His formidable strength earned him a place among the imperial bodyguards, a position that set the stage for his future.

After decades of diligent service, Justin rose to command the emperor’s guard. When Emperor Anastasius I died, the empire faced a power vacuum with no clear successor. The restless populace turned to the only military leader with troops at hand—Justin. He was acclaimed emperor, rewarding his soldiers generously to secure loyalty. His reign paved the way for his nephew, the famed Justinian the Great, who would later be celebrated as one of history’s most influential rulers.

6 Toyotomi Hideyoshi

The early life of Toyotomi Hideyoshi is shrouded in mystery, but legend holds that he emerged from a peasant background. Some accounts suggest he was sent to a temple only to run away in search of adventure. He later served as a low‑ranking soldier under a powerful warlord, quickly earning recognition for his martial skill. His ascent began with a humble appointment as a sandal‑bearer, a position that placed him close to the commander’s feet.

By 1582, Hideyoshi commanded armies for his lord, Oda Nobunaga. During a siege, he called for reinforcements; when Nobunaga arrived, he was betrayed by another general and forced to commit suicide. In the ensuing chaos, Hideyoshi seized the initiative, avenging his master’s betrayal and subduing rebellious provinces. He later married into a noble family, gaining the right to hold high court positions, and ultimately became Japan’s regent, unifying the fractured nation.

5 Zhu Yuanzhang

Zhu Yuanzhang’s childhood was marked by hardship. Born in the 1320s during a period of recurrent famines, he was the youngest of seven or eight sons in a destitute peasant family. To alleviate the family’s burden, several brothers were given away. Zhu himself was considered unattractive, and at sixteen, a devastating flood destroyed his home, killing many relatives. He sought refuge in a monastery, only to find it unable to feed him; soon after, Yuan troops razed the monastery as well.

Rather than surrender to despair, Zhu joined a rebel band. As the uprising against the Yuan dynasty grew, he emerged as a charismatic leader. His forces helped topple the Yuan, and after defeating rival rebel leaders, Zhu proclaimed himself the first emperor of the new Ming Dynasty in 1368. By 1381, he had unified all of China under his rule, overseeing the reconstruction of the Great Wall into its iconic stone form and instituting brutal purges of officials and even artists who dared to depict his unconventional appearance too realistically.

4 Charles XIV John Of Sweden

Jean‑Baptiste Bernadotte was the son of a French lawyer, born in 1763. Rejecting the pen for a sword, he pursued a military career, rising swiftly during the French Revolution. Within a few years he attained the rank of general, and his reputation caught the eye of Napoleon Bonaparte. Bernadotte married into the Bonaparte family, eventually becoming one of Napoleon’s marshals and a prince.

In 1810, Sweden faced a succession crisis: King Charles XIII had no heirs. The Swedish government scoured Europe for a suitable successor and chose Bernadotte, impressed by his military prowess. Accepting the offer, he adopted the name Charles XIV John upon Charles XIII’s death, swapping his republican ideals for royal responsibilities. His famous declaration from the 1790s—“Being a republican both by principle and by conviction, I want to fight all royalists to my death”—was set aside as he embraced the crown. The Bernadotte dynasty still reigns in Sweden today.

3 Catherine The Great

Sophie Friederike Auguste von Anhalt‑Zerbst, later known as Catherine the Great, hailed from a modest Prussian princely line. Though her family carried a title, they possessed little wealth or influence. Through her mother’s connections, she was related to powerful aristocrats, and a political marriage was arranged to bind Prussia and Russia. She wed Grand Duke Peter, the heir to the Russian throne, converting to Orthodoxy and adopting the name Catherine.

The marriage proved disastrous. Catherine loathed Peter’s appearance and his habit of playing with toy soldiers in bed. Peter, unable to govern effectively, was sidelined by his mother, Empress Elizabeth, who refused to relinquish power. After Elizabeth’s death, Peter briefly ruled for six months before Catherine orchestrated a coup, proclaiming herself empress. Within eight days, Peter died under mysterious circumstances, solidifying Catherine’s grip on power.

Catherine reigned for thirty‑four years, overseeing a period of cultural flourishing and territorial expansion, before being succeeded by her son.

2 Abdalonymus

When Alexander the Great embarked on his conquests, he faced the logistical challenge of governing the vast territories he seized. To maintain control, he often installed loyal rulers in conquered lands. In the city of Sidon, however, there was no obvious candidate for kingship. Alexander’s confidant Hephaestion was tasked with finding a suitable replacement.

Hephaestion discovered a humble gardener—Abdalonymus—who, though a distant relative of the former royal house, had lived a quiet life tending his garden, unaware of the surrounding wars. Impressed by his honesty and diligence, Hephaestion and the city’s nobles approached him while he was pulling weeds, offering him the royal insignia. Initially believing they were jesting or mad, Abdalonymus eventually accepted the throne, becoming king of Sidon.

1 James Brooke

Sir James Brooke was born at the height of the British Empire and would go on to establish one of its most unconventional domains. Raised in India but sent to school in England, he famously ran away and returned to India, where he joined the East India Company’s army, developing a taste for warfare. When his father died, leaving him £30,000, Brooke purchased a sizeable vessel named the Royalist, intending to explore, trade, and adventure.

At the time, the Sultan of Brunei was battling a rebellion in Sarawak on Borneo. Brooke sailed his ship to assist, and the sultan offered a striking deal: crush the rebels, and the entire region of Sarawak would be granted to him as ruler. Brooke accepted, swiftly suppressing pirates and insurgents. In 1842, the sultan proclaimed him the Rajah of Sarawak. The title passed through his family, creating a line of “white rajahs” until the last abdicated in 1946, ceding the territory to Britain as a colony.

Rulers taking lives is nothing new, but when those victims are their own children, the story takes a darker turn. In this roundup we explore 10 monarchs who executed their own sons, proving that absolute power often comes with a deadly family drama.

10 monarchs who turned family ties into fatal betrayals

10 Ivan IV Of Russia And Ivan Ivanovich

Ivan IV, better known as Ivan the Terrible, fathered a son named Ivan Ivanovich with his first wife, Anastasia Romanovna. While the young Ivan delighted in literature and music, he also displayed a cruel streak, tormenting small animals during his childhood.

As an adult, he conquered the Khanates of Kazan and Astrakhan, weaving them into the fabric of a burgeoning Russian empire. His marital history was equally turbulent—eight wives met mysterious ends, ranging from untimely deaths to exile in convents—while he steered Russia from a medieval principality into an imperial powerhouse.

When his pregnant daughter‑in‑law arrived improperly attired, Ivan the Terrible beat her, causing a miscarriage. The affront sparked a confrontation with his son, and in a fit of fury Ivan struck Ivan Ivanovich on the head with a sharp staff, ending his life. The gruesome scene was later immortalized by Ilya Repin in one of Russian art’s most haunting canvases.

Among all the atrocities committed by Ivan the Terrible, the murder of his only capable heir stands out as a stark reminder that no line was too sacred for him to cross.

9 Herod The Great And His Sons, Alexander And Aristobulus

The New Testament paints Herod the Great as the villain behind the “slaughter of the innocents,” a claim that has haunted his legacy for centuries. As king of Judea, he allegedly ordered the massacre of all male infants under two years old in Bethlehem.

Born to the Roman officer Antipater the Idumaean, Herod was a prolific builder who reconstructed Jerusalem and its temple, championing Hellenistic culture throughout his realm.

Beyond the biblical narrative, Herod’s own children fell victim to his paranoia. His son Antipater II stirred rumors of disloyalty among his brothers, prompting a paranoid Herod to act decisively: he ordered the strangulation of his sons Alexander and Aristobulus in 7 BC (some accounts suggest 8 BC) on accusations of treason.

8 Empress Irene And Constantine VI

On January 14, 771, Irene gave birth to Constantine VI, later becoming the first woman to rule the Byzantine Empire in her own right. Hailing from an aristocratic Athenian family, she initially served as regent for her son.

Constantine’s reign was marred by military setbacks, and his mother soon turned against him. Unpopular with the army and the court, he found himself betrayed by the very person who had once wielded power on his behalf.

In 797, Irene had Constantine blinded and imprisoned, later orchestrating his death to solidify her sole authority as empress. Despite her ruthless actions, she was later canonized as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox tradition.

7 Constantine The Great And Crispus

Emperor Constantine reshaped the Roman world by legalizing Christianity, ending centuries of persecution, and issuing the Edict of Milan, which guaranteed religious freedom throughout the empire.

His son Crispus, educated by the Christian writer Lactantius, distinguished himself as a brilliant military commander, scoring victories against the Franks and Alamanni. Crispus married a young woman named Helena, with whom he fathered a son.

Constantine took great pride in Crispus’s achievements, seeing in him a promising heir who would continue his legacy of conquest and governance.

However, Constantine’s second wife, Empress Fausta, accused Crispus of attempting to seduce her. Enraged, Constantine ordered Crispus’s execution. He later discovered the accusation was false and, in a grim reversal, had Fausta suffocated in her own bath.

6 Abbas I Of Persia And Mohammad Baqer Mirza

Shah Abbas I is celebrated as the greatest ruler of the Safavid dynasty, rescuing Iran from collapse, founding thriving cities, and welcoming Christian merchants and missionaries into his realm.

His designated heir, Mohammad Baqer Mirza, was born to a Circassian concubine. Court intrigue ensnared the young prince, who was accused of conspiring with Circassian factions. To eliminate the threat, Abbas ordered the execution of his own crown prince, passing the throne instead to his grandson.

5 Pharasmanes I Of Iberia And Rhadamistus

Pharasmanes I ruled the ancient kingdom of Iberia in the first century, fathering a son named Rhadamistus who possessed striking strength, towering stature, and striking good looks—yet his ambition outpaced his patience.

Rhadamistus seized the Armenian throne, but his rule was deemed illegitimate by the Romans, who demanded Pharasmanes withdraw and remove his son from power.

Facing inevitable defeat, Rhadamistus fled, and his pregnant wife, fearing capture, persuaded him to kill her and their unborn child. He slit her throat and cast her corpse into the Aras River before attempting to return home.

To demonstrate loyalty to Emperor Nero, Pharasmanes executed his own son, branding him a traitor. The king died shortly thereafter, succeeded by his own son Mihrdat.

4 Vitellius And Petronianus

Vitellius, the son of the distinguished consul Lucius Vitellius and noblewoman Sextilia, briefly held the imperial throne for eight tumultuous months, earning favor from Caligula, Claudius, and Nero for his eclectic talents.

His reputation stemmed from a flair for chariot racing under Caligula, dice‑playing prowess that impressed Claudius, and a charismatic presence that attracted Nero’s attention.

Known for his prodigious appetite, Vitellius would indulge in three to four lavish meals daily, followed by boisterous drinking bouts. He harbored a deep mistrust of astrologers, banning them from Rome and executing any he encountered.

His son Petronianus, blind in one eye, was named heir by his mother, effectively freeing him from his father’s control. In a twist of fate, Vitellius poisoned his own son to claim the inheritance.

When Vespasian’s forces captured Rome, Vitellius attempted to flee disguised in ragged clothes. He was seized, dragged through the streets half‑naked, brutally tortured, and ultimately thrown into the Tiber, sealing his downfall.

3 Philip II Of Spain And Don Carlos

Philip II’s wife, Maria Manuela of Portugal, died after delivering their son Don Carlos, who was born with a shorter leg and uneven shoulders, alongside a range of mental impairments.

Don Carlos displayed alarming behavior: he rode horses to the point of self‑destruction, assaulted young girls, and even claimed that diamonds were poisonous—traits that rendered him unsuitable for the throne.

In 1568, Don Carlos was declared dead under suspicious circumstances, with many historians believing that Philip poisoned his own heir to prevent a disastrous succession.

2 King Yeongjo And Prince Sado

Prince Sado, the crown prince of Joseon Korea, met a gruesome end when his father, King Yeongjo, sealed him inside a wooden rice chest, condemning him to a slow, agonizing death.

Yeongjo was a demanding ruler; after each encounter with his son, he would meticulously rinse his mouth, clean his ears, and change into fresh robes, underscoring his relentless disapproval of Sado’s behavior.

Accusations mounted that Sado possessed the severed head of a eunuch he had murdered and had assaulted numerous palace ladies, painting a portrait of a deeply troubled heir.

Ultimately, the strained relationship culminated in tragedy: stripped of his royal title, Sado was forced into the cramped chest where he languished for eight days, pleading for mercy until his death at the age of twenty‑seven.

1 Peter I And Alexei

Peter the Great, named after the apostle Peter, embarked on an ambitious mission to transform Russia into a modern superpower, championing secular education and establishing numerous schools across his realm.

His marriage to Tsarina Eudoxia, a conservative and uneducated woman who despised foreign influence, further complicated his domestic life. Their son Alexei was raised under Eudoxia’s strict, Bible‑focused education, limiting his exposure to his father’s reforms.

Alexei grew resentful of Peter’s policies, eventually defecting to Austria—a move that scandalized the Russian government and branded him a traitor.

Under Peter’s orders, Alexei was subjected to brutal torture and ultimately executed, sealing the grim legacy of a ruler who would not tolerate dissent, even from his own blood.

Summer Gallardo was named after Summer Sanders. She enjoys comic books, history, math, and making lists.

Monarchs are admired by their subjects and some are idolized worldwide. Who are these pretty famous monarchs that history remembers then? Learn their identities here.

10 Awesome and Famous Monarchs Every Historian Should Know:

I’ve got a confession to make. I have become fascinated with TV series like ‘The Crown’ and anything that deals with famous royals in history. Fortunately for me the internet exists and a lot of historical records and information on monarchs are available for one to sift through.

Just like any healthy obsession I researched and tried to find every piece of information on these persons. No I am not crazy maybe just enthusiastic and hell bent on knowing more.

You might think this is strange but I do it for a very important reason. I am just trying to figure out how influential were these personalities plus why are they so popular. It is no wonder history has been so kind to them with their names edged or remembered by every generation.

Anyway this is what I found out on these famous monarchs that left a mark on history.

10. Queen Cleopatra VII of Ancient Egypt

An Egyptian queen that had Macedonian origins from the Ptolemy ancestry, Ptolemy 1 was Alexander the Great’s general. She was actually the last pharaoh of Egypt before it fell to Rome.

What made Queen Cleopatra impressive was her intellect; she was well versed in different languages and also well educated in things such as mathematics and philosophy.

But her affairs or relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony made her also famous that even Shakespeare wrote about her. These relations with such powerful Roman men enabled her to secure her reign in Egypt. But the Roman people disliked her especially because she was a mistress to Emperor Julius Caesar who was already married.

When the emperor was stabbed to death in the Roman senate she escaped back to Egypt and the new ruler Octavian declared her an enemy of Rome. This is where the Roman general Mark Anthony became a great ally and lover. Mark Anthony was also not a fan of Octavian so he fled to Egypt where he met Queen Cleopatra.
But when Octavian forces invaded Egypt winning decisive battles, both Mark Anthony and Queen Cleopatra committed suicide. The Romans now controlled Egypt becoming part of the Roman Empire and the queen’s monarchs was over.

9. King Alexander the Great of Macedonia

A King of Macedonia at the age of 20 years, not only was he king but also a great military leader. As king he did the impossible that still bewilders people throughout every century. He was a dominant force during the 4th and 5th century.

His military genius was the key to him becoming a legendary figure. As king of Macedonia he set out to conquer lands and the Persian kingdom. During that time the Persian kingdom was the most formidable empire.

By the time of Alexander’s death at age 33 he had managed to have an empire that stretched through Europe, modern day Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Egypt, India, Syria and Iraq. He was King of Macedonia, King of Persia and Pharaoh of Egypt. He became a legend throughout the centuries as not only a warrior king but the greatest monarchs.

8. King Darius III of Persia

He was king of the mighty Persian Empire, which covered most of the Middle East and parts of Asia. He came to power after the previous king, Artaxerxes IV Arses, was killed in a power struggle. But unfortunately King Darius III came to power at a time when the Persian Empire was falling or on its last leg.

There were rebellions throughout the empire as most people despised the rulers. This was coming at a time when another king, Alexander the Great, was planning to attack and conquer the Persian Empire.

King Darius III is famous as the last Persian Empire king and also the king that stood in the path of Alexander’s conquest.

Although king Darius III had a greater army he was always outsmarted by Alexander who was a much greater military leader. Most of the battle he engaged with Alexander ended up with him running away or fleeing. Eventually he was killed by his own officials who led to the Persian Empire falling to the King of Macedonia, Alexander the Great.

7. Queen Sheba of Ancient Ethiopia

She was the queen that visited King Solomon after hearing stories of his great wisdom. She came with gifts such as gold and gems and asked the king different questions to be certain that he’s the man that she had heard of. After this she was impressed and King Solomon had her stay in his castle where they had a love affair.

Both the Koran and the Bible try to explain the story of Queen Sheba and who she actually was. They are different conflicting versions of her origin, some claim to be modern day Yemen while others state it was Ethiopia.

But the Ethiopian version resonates with a majority of people, as Queen Sheba is mostly identified as Queen Makeda of Ancient Ethiopia. Queen Makeda did travel to Jerusalem to visit the wise King Solomon, coming back to Ethiopia bearing a son who was called Menelik meaning ‘son of the wise.’

Her relationship with King Solomon and how she is part of Ethiopian traditions make her famous throughout generations. Emperor Haile Selassie was descended from Menelik who according to stories had travelled to see his father, King Solomon, but returned back to Ethiopia with the Ark of the Covenant.

They are different versions of this story of Queen Sheba but both state she had visited King Solomon, but her origins/kingdom is a mystery.

6. Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

This Britain’s queen is the current and longest reigning British monarchs in history. She became queen when her father King George VI died in 1952, the following year she was crowned as Queen Elizabeth II at age 27 in a televised coronation.

During World War II she played a role in the war effort, first at 14 years of age she would make radio broadcasts that were intended for British children. At 18 years of age she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service to train as a mechanic and driver. She valued her role that when the war was over she and her sister, Princess Margaret, joined the British citizens to celebrate on the streets.

The queen is admired among British society and all over the world. She managed to keep the British monarch relevant and modernized it for the 21st century. But kept traditions such as British Royal Family members taking part in military service.

This 93 year old monarch has served the British people while introducing and transitioning the British monarchy to the modern era. She has been on the throne for 67 years since 1952. 

5. King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylonia

Ruler of the Babylonian Empire which he succeeded from his late father, Nebuchadnezzar II was both a king and a warrior. This enabled him to make the Babylonian Empire the greatest empire that ever existed. He managed to defeat the Assyrians with Nineveh and Syria falling to the Babylonians.

He didn’t stop there with him taking over the Kingdom of Judah; Destroying the city of Jerusalem and taking the Jewish people back to Babylon. He also defeated the Egyptian forces that were allied with the Assyrian empire king. The Egyptians were trying to offer support to the Assyrians against the Babylonians but it was futile as the empire fell to king Nebuchadnezzar II.

King Nebuchadnezzar II reign is recorded both in Biblical text and historical records highlighting the greatness and landmass of the empire. The Babylonian empire in modern day Iraq is a world heritage site that’s still impressive in the 21st century.

4. Queen Esther of Persia

A beautiful Persian Empire queen that was Jew and married to the Persian King Xerxes I but her ethnicity was unknown to the king. She replaced Queen Vashti who had been sentenced to death by the king. In Biblical text she is referenced as the hero that saved the Jewish people from extinction/death/genocide. Most Jews had fled into exile when Jerusalem was destroyed therefore there were Persian Jews.

Haman was their biggest threat in Persia. Haman who was the king’s highest ranking advisor had planned this genocide of the Jews in Persia. When Esther learned of the plan, she approached the king inviting him to a banquet. In the banquet Haman was present; therefore it was Esther, Haman and the king.

This is where Queen Esther made the king aware of Haman’s plan to eliminate the Jews of Persia. She also told the king of her origins that she was Jew. This king immediately ordered that Haman be killed and the plan was foiled, Esther’s relative, Mordecai was appointed as the king’s highest ranking adviser.

She was considered a heroine to the Jewish people and Hebrew scripture has a whole text dedicated to her that’s the Book of Esther. 

3. Queen Nefertiti of Ancient Egypt

She was an Egyptian queen that ruled alongside her husband, Pharaoh Akhenaten in Ancient Egypt. She was considered a beauty as her name Nefertiti means ‘a beautiful woman has come.’ Both the pharaoh and queen established and popularized the worship of the Sun god in Ancient Egypt.

Her beauty can clearly be seen in Egyptian artwork and sculptors. She helped the pharaoh rule and was an active queen in the kingdom. The pharaoh also ensured that she was perceived as an equal. They oversaw the most prosperous times in Ancient Egypt.

Although the pharaoh had many more wives she was the Great Royal Wife (the favorite). She also created her own make up using the Galena plant. It was Ancient Egypt’s most recognizable monarchs after Queen Cleopatra.

2. King Solomon of the Kingdom of Israel

This king referenced from the Bible is considered the wisest king that ever lived. He was last king of United Israeli Kingdom and had inherited the throne from his father King David. King Solomon’s best moments came when he was supposed to make a ruling on a child’s biological mother.

The story goes like this, two women came to the king requesting for his ruling on a child they both claimed to be theirs. He stated that the baby should be cut into two halves equally for both women. The first woman said yes that should be done while the second woman objected the decision stating that the king should allow the first woman to take the baby. This was proof enough for King Solomon to know who the child belonged to, the second woman.

In a time where there were no DNA tests this decision showed his wise nature. Another thing that you know this king for was the number of concubines he had, stating that he was a ladies man would be totally correct.

He had an astounding 700 wives and 300 concubines, most were part of the king forming alliances with the neighboring kingdoms from the Egyptians to the Hittites.

But regardless of how wise King Solomon was he lost favor with God because he started worshipping gods of his wives and concubines. He eventually died at the age of 80 of natural causes leaving his son Rehoboam as next king. He was the author of the Songs of Solomon which can be summarized as love songs or notes.

A civil war eventually breaks out as his two sons (Rehoboam and Jeroboam) fought for control of the kingdom. Eventually it was divided into two as the Kingdom of Judah, Rehoboam as king and Kingdom of Israel, Jeroboam as king. The United Israeli Kingdom was over with the death of King Solomon monarchs.

1. King David of the Kingdom of Israel

A king that managed to unite all the people of Israel into a formidable fighting force and form the United Israeli Kingdom, and father to the future Israeli king. Probably the most famous thing he ever did was slay the giant Goliath using only a sling shot and pebbles at a very young age.

David was the youngest among his brothers and when he took food for them in the battlefield. The giant Goliath of the Philistines was demanding the bravest of Israeli soldiers to fight him. Everyone was afraid and nobody volunteered, this is where young David volunteered to slay the giant.

When he slayed the giant and it was a decisive win for the Israeli kingdom his fame started to rise. He was put as commander where he led the Israelis against their enemies winning every battle. The Israelites would chant and sing, “Saul has killed a thousand enemies; David has killed ten thousand.”

He was a warrior king but he lost Gods favor when he plotted and led to death of Uriah. Uriah was the husband of Bathsheba that he had an adulterous relationship with. When Uriah died he married Bathsheba and God punished him with the death of their first child.

King David died at the age of 70 having written the Book of Psalms and laid a firm foundation for his son Solomon to take over.

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