Kingdoms have risen and fallen throughout history, but a few ancient kingdoms have managed to survive into the modern era. Determining which kingdom is the oldest depends on how you define a “kingdom” and the criteria used. Using longevity as the key factor, several contenders emerge for the title of the oldest kingdom still in existence today.
Japan
One of the oldest continuous monarchies in the world is the Yamato dynasty of Japan. According to Japanese legend, the first emperor was Jimmu, who founded the kingdom in 660 BCE. However, the earliest emperor who is verified by contemporary written records is Emperor Ōjin, who reigned sometime between 270 and 310 CE. The current emperor of Japan is Naruhito, who took the Chrysanthemum Throne in 2019 after his father Akihito abdicated. This imperial line has continued unbroken for over 1500 years.
There is some debate over whether Japan meets the strict definition of a kingdom in its early history. In its early days, the emperor or “tennō” lacked centralized control and served more symbolic religious purposes. However, the Yamato government exercised imperial rule and considered the islands of Japan as a single political entity. Japan did not resemble modern notions of a centralized nation-state with absolute monarchy until reforms in the late 19th century under Emperor Meiji.
Ethiopia
The Ethiopian Empire may be one of the oldest kingdoms in the world. Ethiopia traces its ruling dynasty back to 980 BCE with the establishment of the Solomonic dynasty by Menelik I. According to Ethiopian tradition, Menelik was the son of the biblical King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. The Solomonic dynasty of Ethiopia claimed direct male descent from King Solomon. Despite some brief interruptions, the Solomonic monarchy ruled Ethiopia for over 2900 years until the deposition of Emperor Haile Selassie in 1974.
Ethiopia’s history is based on various medieval texts and oral traditions rather than contemporary written records, so exact dates are uncertain. There is clearer historical evidence of a kingdom centered in northern Ethiopia from at least 100 CE onward. The Ethiopian Empire began to take shape in the 1300s under the Solomonic dynasty ruler Amda Seyon I. Ethiopia maintained its independence except for 5 years under Italian occupation from 1936 to 1941.
Denmark
The Kingdom of Denmark also has a claim as one of the world’s oldest continuous monarchies. According to legend, the first king of Denmark was Gorm the Old, who reigned in the early 10th century CE. The currently reigning monarch, Queen Margrethe II can trace her line of descent back to Gorm the Old through 1000 years of Danish monarchs.
However, Denmark’s status as an independent kingdom dates back even earlier than Gorm the Old. The earliest chronicled Danish king was Halfdan, who was king sometime in the early 9th century CE. Danish monarchs have occupied the throne for at least 1100 years, although the role and extent of the kingdom have changed greatly over the centuries. Modern Denmark did not take form until the constitutional changes of 1849.
Other Notable Mentions
While Japan, Ethiopia, and Denmark have strong claims as the oldest extant kingdoms, a few other monarchies deserve mention:
- The British monarchy traces back nearly 1000 years to William the Conqueror in 1066 CE. However, given the various transformations from an English kingdom to the United Kingdom, it does not have as clear of a lineage as an uninterrupted monarchy.
- The Yi Dynasty of Korea, which began in 1392 CE with the coronation of Taejo Yi Seong-gye and lasted until the Japanese occupation in 1910 CE.
- The Kingdom of Sweden traces its monarchy back to medieval times. According to tradition, Swedish kings have reigned since the semi-legendary Eric the Victorious in the 10th century CE.
What Makes a Kingdom the Oldest?
Determining the oldest kingdom depends heavily on definitions. Factors that influence which kingdom can claim to be the oldest include:
- The date of the first monarch.
- The length and continuity of a dynasty.
- Whether minor interruptions or transformations disqualify a monarch from claiming continuity.
- At what point a monarchial line exercised full sovereign control over a defined territorial area.
- Whether an unbroken bloodline of monarchs existed even if ruling power was interrupted.
For these reasons, there is no academic consensus on which extant kingdom is definitively the oldest in the world. However, Japan, Ethiopia, and Denmark all have strong cases based on the age and continuity of their monarchies.
Japan’s Claim as Oldest Kingdom
Japan has one of the strongest claims to being the oldest continuous kingdom due to its ancient ruling dynasty. Some key facts supporting Japan’s claim include:
- The legendary first emperor Jimmu founded the kingdom in 660 BCE, over 2600 years ago.
- The Yamato court exercised centralized authority and established the imperial throne by at least the 4th century CE, with evidence of an imperial line dating back even earlier.
- The same dynastic line has ruled Japan for over 1500 years without any interruptions, from Emperor Ōjin in the 300s CE to the current Emperor Naruhito.
- The role of the Japanese emperor persisted even through changes in political power and systems of shogunates. The imperial throne provided a symbol of national unity and sovereignty.
In uninterrupted longevity of rulership, Japan exceeds other monarchies. The kingdom originated in ancient times and underwent transformations without the imperial dynasty ever being broken or interrupted. For these reasons, Japan can make a strong case for being the world’s oldest continuous kingdom.
Ethiopia’s Claim as Oldest Kingdom
Ethiopia also has a convincing claim to being the oldest kingdom due to its ancient Solomonic dynasty of rulers. Reasons supporting Ethiopia as the oldest kingdom include:
- According to tradition, the Solomonic dynasty was established around 980 BCE with Menelik I, son of King Solomon. This traces back nearly 3000 years.
- There is clear historical evidence of an Ethiopian kingdom under the Solomonic rulers from at least 100 CE onward.
- An unbroken Solomonic bloodline ruled Ethiopia with few interruptions for nearly 2900 years until 1974.
- The Ethiopian Empire maintained independence and resisted colonization, except for 5 years under Italian occupation from 1936-1941.
Based on its ancient root and an unbroken monarchial bloodline lasting nearly three millennia, Ethiopia can lay claim to being the world’s oldest surviving kingdom. The longevity and continuity of its Solomonic dynasty exceeds even Japan’s imperial throne.
Denmark’s Claim as Oldest Kingdom
Denmark is also a contender for oldest kingdom due to its ancient monarchy. Reasons supporting Denmark’s claim include:
- Legend traces the Danish monarchy back to King Gorm the Old in the 10th century CE.
- The earliest verified Danish king Halfdan reigned in the early 9th century CE, over 1100 years ago.
- Danish kings have occupied the throne for over a millennium with no foreign conquerors or interruptions in the monarchial bloodline.
- The Kingdom of Denmark has one of the most stable monarchies, with only one brief interruption. King Christian II was deposed for 3 years in the 1520s.
With over a thousand years of unbroken kingship and deep cultural heritage, Denmark boasts one of the world’s oldest and most enduring monarchies. Its long-lived kingdom is comparable to Japan and Ethiopia in longevity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are several contenders for the oldest kingdom that has survived into the present day. Japan, Ethiopia, and Denmark each have strong cases based on the age and endurance of their monarchies. Exact definitions of “kingdom” and how to determine continuity over centuries come into play. However, by most historical and traditional reckoning, Japan, Ethiopia and Denmark emerge as the top candidates for the oldest kingdom still in existence in the modern world.
| Kingdom | Age of Monarchy | Longest Reigning Monarch |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | Over 2600 years, since 660 BCE (legendary) | Emperor Hirohito – Reigned 1926 – 1989 (63 years) |
| Ethiopia | Nearly 3000 years, since 980 BCE (claimed) | Emperor Menelik II – Reigned 1889 – 1913 (24 years) |
| Denmark | Over 1000 years since early 10th century CE | King Christian IV – Reigned 1588 – 1648 (60 years) |
References
- Encyclopedia Brittanica. “History of Japan.” Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/place/Japan/History
- Encyclopedia Brittanica. “History of Ethiopia.” Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/place/Ethiopia/From-prehistory-to-the-Aksumite-kingdom
- National Geographic. “Denmark’s Monarchy.” Retrieved from https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/geography/countries/denmark-facts/
- Guiness World Records. “Oldest monarchies.” Retrieved from https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/oldest-monarchies