Almost everyone knows that in Western Europe the heads of state have always been called tsars, and in Eastern Europe, they do not need to be a great historian. However, few people know what influenced the difference in the names of the monarchs.
1. Briefly about the kings
Oddly enough, but the word "king" has its roots in ancient Rome. It was on behalf of Julius Gaius Caesar, the famous dictator, that this title was formed. Caesar was recognized as the best commander during his lifetime. It is not surprising that his name began to be perceived in the future as a synonym for another important word - "victory". Over time, "Caesar" became, by the grace of the emperors, part of their title. But then this word had a slightly different meaning - "winner". By the way, in Rome the kings were called "geh".
Gradually, the title migrated to Byzantium, although the Roman era ended. Vladimir, prince of Kiev, converted to Christianity in 988. Thus, in Russia they learned about the culture of Byzantium. This is what became the basis of the idea of the sixteenth century. Then they said that Moscow is the third Rome.
According to the concept, Russia was the most powerful Orthodox state. And since her cultures and those of Rome are close, she has the right to be the successor of the once great Roman Empire. Ivan the Terrible even assumed the title in 1547 and became Caesar. In an abbreviated version, it turned out to be a king. Therefore, it was officially this monarch who became the first tsar in Russia.
2. And now about the kings
The overwhelming majority of linguists in the USSR believe that the "king" was formed on behalf of another important emperor in history, but already of the Frankish - Charlemagne, who became the conqueror of Western and Central Europe in the eighth century. After these events, he announced the revival of Rome.
The Holy Roman Empire was created on the basis of the conquests of this man. Chroniclers of that time, being impressed, began to call all the monarchs of the West kings and nothing else. As far as the West is concerned, this word does not exist there. The British call the head of state "king", in Spain - "rey", in Germany - "knig", in France - "roi".
English and German titles were formed from "konung" - this is how they addressed the leader in ancient Germany. The French and Spanish titles come from the Roman "rex".
During the Middle Ages, the Pope was in charge of distributing titles. The Catholic monarch had the right to lead the country only with his blessing. But the Orthodox did not care. This was the main difference. If the king was an ordinary monarch, then the king is an emperor, under whose patronage the entire Orthodox people were.
The Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in 1489 offered Ivan III the royal title, but was refused. The Moscow prince argued his deed by the fact that in Russia only God gives power and there is no need for a blessing to rule. But there were also those who accepted the title. Yaropolk Izyaslavovich became the first king in Russia. Volyn prince in 1075 personally went to Rome for the coronation. Daniil Romanovich became the second titled figure. The Galician-Volyn prince was crowned in 1253 in the town of Dorogichin by the representative of the Pope. The prince made this move to get support in the war against the Mongol-Tatars from the West.
Continuing the topic read, why on the Emblem of Russia there are three crowns, if there are only two eagle heads.