Building Empires
Kings believe ruling a small nation is not enough. They need bigger: more territory, more subjects, to expand their borders, conquer other lands, killing the people living there if they objected. It was a natural process. Expansion was important. Kings believed if they could show they were bigger, even the Kings with small hands, they would be even more important to their subjects.
Kings pray to the Gods for more territory and the Gods willingly oblige–if people believe in Kings that led to support for the Gods. Kings on Earth and in Heaven. It was good for both.
Ghosts also supported Kings seeking new territories–it meant more folks for the ghost community—as did Lust, whose control of the King expanded with every new territory.
Kings seek immortality and the find it through building their Empires. The larger the empire, the more important the King. They also build statues honouring them. Where there are Kings, there are statues. And portraits. Every King has his portrait painted, repeatedly, and hung throughout the Kingdom. Every King ensures his face is everywhere, including on postage stamps. No honour is considered too small. It angered the Gods, whose faces were never on postage stamps, but Kings think only of immortality in history.
Kings have less success with drama. Even in ancient times, they were depicted as powerful but making basic mistakes and ending tragically. Dramas mostly depicted Kings as regular folks struggling with a tough job, which Kings also considered tragic. Kings recognized they would often not be caricaturized well—but at least they were being caricaturized, and any publicity is good publicity.
Kings promoted their new subjects as thrilled to be conquered. History never saw it that way. Either way worked for Kings.
When it finally arrived, democracy was considered a threat. Kings were less popular, there were less Kings–but those who remained, including some Presidents, loved power and yearned to be memorable. They continued the tradition.
Democracy is no safeguard against tradition.