Louis XIV

Louis XIV Lives in Extravagance

Louis XIV of France (1638–1715), also known as the “Sun King,” was the ultimate example of an absolute monarch during the Age of Absolutism. He believed in the idea of divine right; the belief that kings were chosen by God and accountable only to Him. Louis made sure all power flowed directly to him, famously declaring, “I am the state.” He built the magnificent Palace of Versailles not just as a home, but as a symbol of his wealth, glory, and control. By requiring nobles to live at Versailles, he kept them distracted with court life while he ran the government, ensuring no one could challenge his authority.

Louis XIV’s reign lasted an astonishing 72 years, the longest in European history, and he worked tirelessly to make France the most powerful nation in Europe. He built a strong army, expanded French territory, and used art and culture to glorify his image as the “Sun” around which everything revolved. But his absolute rule also came at a cost; constant wars and extravagant spending left France heavily in debt. Still, Louis XIV stands out as the model of absolutism: a ruler who centralized power, demanded loyalty, and shaped an era where kings ruled with near-total control.