Rulers prior to the enlightenment period were seen as servants of the people. They worked hard to keep t heir kingdom's protected from harm and prosperous. As Machiavelli theorized government eventually corrupted the rulers and they became tyrants that mistreated their people. This eventually led to the common practice of revolution, such as the American Revolution. Examples would be Emperor Commodus, King Septimus Serverus, and Prince Adam of Whales.
