No list of the top kings in the world would be complete without Genghis Khan. Originally named Temujin from Borjigin, he was born into the Khan tribe. His father was murdered when he was quite young. Cast aside on the brink of eternity, he returns to reclaim his tribe. After that, he roamed and won many lands stretching as far as Afghanistan and northern China. He conquered more lands than any other king in history. He was survived by his clan, who embarked on the unification of China.

Genghis Khan definitely deserves to be on the awesome monarchs' list every historian should know. Genghis Khan conquered Afghanistan and northern China. Mongol leader Genghis Khan rose from humble beginnings to establish the largest land empire in history. After uniting the nomadic tribes on the Mongolian plateau, he conquered large swaths of Central Asia and China. His descendants expanded the empire even further, reaching places as far away as Poland, Vietnam, Syria, and Korea. At its height, the Mongols controlled between 11 and 12 million contiguous square miles, an area about the size of Africa. Many people were massacred during Genghis Khan's invasion, but he also granted religious freedom to his subjects, abolished torture, encouraged commerce, and created the first international postal system. Genghis Khan died in 1227 during a military campaign against the Chinese kingdom.

• Description: Great Khan of the Mongol Empire
• Born: 1162 (Khentii Mountains, Khamag Mongol)
• Died: 1227 (aged 64–65)
• Reign: 1206 - 1227

King Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, ruled France for 72 years, longer than any known European king. By that time, he had converted the monarchy, ushered in a golden age of art and literature, presided over the glorious royal court at Versailles, annexed important territories, and established and became the dominant power in Europe. During the last decades of Louis XIV's rule, France was weakened by a number of protracted wars that depleted its resources and the mass exodus of the Protestant population, including many of the Huguenots, after the king revoked the Edict of Nantes.

King Louis XIV embodies the Levity of the sovereign rule of the eighteenth century. His aim was to symbolize an image of power even though his legacy led his country to revolution. He ruled for a long time but his reign was a dark shadow to the people. He is known as the most famous and scandalous King of all time. As a result, he became one of the most awesome monarchs every historian should know. The reign of Louis XIV is often referred to as "Le Grand Siècle" (The Great Century), forever associated with the image of an absolute monarch and a powerful, centralized state. Enthroned as a child, under the tutelage of Cardinal Mazarin, the Sun King embodies tyrannical principles. In 1682, he moved the Royal Court to the Palace of Versailles, the defining symbol of his power and influence in Europe.

• Description: King of France
• Born: 1638
• Died: 1715 (aged 76 - Palace of Versailles, Versailles, France)
• Reign: 1643 - 1715

King Henry VIII was born in Greenwich on June 28, 1491, the second son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. He became heir to the throne upon the death of his brother, Prince Arthur, in 1502 and succeeded him in 1509. In his youth, he was athletic and very intelligent. He was extremely fond of hunting, and never strayed from that without tiring eight or ten horses. He also likes tennis. Henry's academic interests included writing both books and music, and he was a lavish patron of the arts. He is a proficient multi-instrumental player and composer. Greensleeves, the popular tune often attributed to him, however, is almost certainly not one of his compositions. As the author of a best-selling book (which went through about 20 publications in England and Europe) attacking Martin Luther and supporting the Roman Catholic church, in 1521 Henry was given the title 'by the Pope' defender of the Faith.

King Henry VIII is said to be the founder of the English Reformation. He is also known to have taken six wives. He has a high intellect and he is very charismatic by nature. However, on the other hand, he is a killer. His political enemies will be led. He wished for a male heir to inherit his kingdom but all the same, he had two daughters who later became the most famous and iconic kings in the world. King Henry VIII became one of the most awesome monarchs every historian should know.

• Description: King of England
• Born: 1491(Palace of Placentia, Greenwich, England)
• Died: 1547 (aged 55 - Palace of Whitehall, Westminster, England)
• Reign: 1509 - 1547

Pharaoh Thutmose III wasted no time making a name for himself, once he succumbed to the shadow of the king regent turned Pharaoh Hatshepsut. He transformed Egypt from an introverted kingdom into a nation of victory and conquest. And he made a name for himself as a brilliant military strategist, who historians later called the "Napoleon of Egypt". Just a few months after taking power, Pharaoh Thutmose III marched with an army of 20,000 soldiers to Megiddo, in modern-day northern Israel - a location known in Greek as Armageddon. An alliance of rivals had gathered there, outside the city. The chronicler accompanied the forces of Pharaoh Thutmose III and recorded the details of the campaign, a priceless chronicle known today as the Chronicle of Thutmose III. He deserves to be one of the most awesome monarchs every historian should know.

As one of the first rulers in history to understand the use of power and supply lines at sea, Pharaoh Thutmose III of Egypt never lost a battle in his 18 outings. He inherited the throne when he was about seven years old. He spent two decades on the throne co-regent with his father's wife. He conquered the lands of Palestine, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Nubia during his tenure. Egypt was marked as a major player in the established world power during his tenure.

• Description: Pharaoh of Egypt
• Born:1481 BCE
• Died: 1425 BCE (aged 56)
• Reign:1479 - 1425 BCE

King Hammurabi of the Babylonian city-state conquered much of northern and western Mesopotamia and by 1776 BC he was the most influential leader in Mesopotamian history, describing himself as "a king who submits four-quarters of the Earth". The documents show that King Hammurabi was a classical micromanager, concerned with all aspects of his rule, and this is reflected in his famous legal code, which exists in the partial copies of this law in the Louvre and on clay tablets. This can be seen as a monument showing King Hammurabi as an exemplary king of justice. What's interesting about Hammurabi's representation of the law stele is that he is seen as the recipient of the law from the god Shamash, who sits, completely struck by lightning from his shoulder. The emphasis here is on Hammurabi's pious role and that the laws themselves come from god.

As the sixth king of the first line of Babylon, King Hammurabi was famous for the legal nature of the order. His 8-foot-tall curved steles and the earliest organized law were found at this site as examples. His Code of Administration ranks as an 'eye-opening' approach to justice written in the Babylonian vernacular. He is known as one of the earliest legislators in the history of the world. King Hammurabi is a legendary figure that cannot fail to be mentioned in the list of awesome monarchs every historian should know.

• Description: King of the Old Babylonian Empire
• Born: 1810 BCE (Babylon)
• Died: 1750 BCE (Babylon)
• Reign: 1792 - 1750 BCE (42 years)

King David is the king who has managed to unite all the people of Israel into a formidable fighting force and establish the United Kingdom of Israel and is the father of the future king of Israel. Perhaps the most famous thing he ever did was slay the giant Goliath with a single shot and pebbles at a very young age. David was the youngest of his brothers and when he took food for them on the battlefield. The Philistine giant Goliath demanded the bravest Israelite soldiers against him. Everyone was scared and no one volunteered, this is where young David volunteered to kill the giant. When he defeated the giant and this was a decisive victory for the kingdom of Israel, his reputation began to emerge. He was placed in command, where he led the Israelites against their enemies to victory in every battle.

King David was a warrior king but he lost the favor of the gods when he plotted and led to Uriah's death. Uriah was Bathsheba's husband with whom he had an affair. When Uriah died, he married Bathsheba and God punished him with the death of their first child. King David died at the age of 70 because he wrote the Book of Psalms and laid a solid foundation for his son Solomon to come to power. Therefore, he deserves to be one of the most awesome monarchs every historian should know.

• Description: King of the Kingdom of Israel
• Born: 1040 BCE
• Died: 970 BCE
• Reign: 1010 - 970 BCE

King Solomon is one of the most awesome monarchs every historian should know and is biblically referenced as the wisest king that ever lived. He was the last king of the United Kingdom of Israel and inherited the throne from his father King David. King Solomon's best moments came when he was supposed to deliver a verdict against the biological mother of a child. The story goes like this, two women come to the king to ask him to rule over a child they both claim as theirs. He said the baby should be cut into two equal halves for both women. The first woman said yes that should be done while the second woman opposed the decision saying that the king should allow the first woman to carry the baby. This was proof enough for King Solomon to know to whom the child belonged, the second woman. In an age where there were no DNA tests, this decision showed his wise nature. Another thing you know about this king is the number of concubines he has, saying that he was a court lady is completely accurate.

King Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines, most of whom were part of the king's alliances with neighboring kingdoms from the Egyptians to the Hittites. But no matter how wise King Solomon was, he displeased God because he began to worship the gods of his wife and concubines. He eventually died at the age of 80 of natural causes, leaving his son Rehoboam as the next king. He is the author of the Songs of Solomon, which can be summed up as love songs or musical notes. A final civil war breaks out as his two sons (Rehoboam and Jeroboam) vie for control of the kingdom. It was eventually divided into two Kingdoms of Judah, Rehoboam as king, and the Kingdom of Israel, Jeroboam as king. The unified kingdom of Israel ended with the death of King Solomon.

• Description: King of the Kingdom of Israel
• Born: 990 BCE
• Died: 931 BCE
• Reign: 970 - 931 BCE

Queen Nefertiti was an Egyptian queen who ruled with her husband, Pharaoh Akhenaten in ancient Egypt. She is considered a beauty because her name Nefertiti means "a beautiful woman has come". Both the pharaoh and the queen established and popularized the religion of the sun god in ancient Egypt. Her beauty can be clearly seen in Egyptian art and sculpture. She helped the pharaoh rule and was an active queen in the kingdom. The pharaoh also made sure that she was seen as an equal. They oversaw the most prosperous period in ancient Egypt. Therefore, she is considered one of the most awesome monarchs every historian should know.

Queen Nefertiti was the great royal wife of King Akhenaten and, in contemporary Western culture, is perhaps ancient Egypt's most famous queen – as the iconic bust in the Berlin Museum evinces. She and Akhenaten produced six daughters, a female royal contingent that enjoyed unusual prominence during Akhenaten's reign. In fact, Nefertiti holds the position as the Egyptian queen with the most appearances medium appearances on monuments and other artistic. Although the pharaoh had more wives, she was still the Great Wife of the Royal Family (the most loved one). She also creates her own makeup using the Galena tree. This is the most recognizable king of ancient Egypt after Queen Cleopatra.

• Description: Queen of Ancient Egypt
• Born: 1370 BCE
• Died: 1330 BCE
• Reign: 1353 - 1330 BCE or 1351 - 1330 BCE

King Nebuchadnezzar II became ruler of the Babylonian Empire, succeeding his late father, who was both a king and a warrior. This helped him make the Babylonian Empire the greatest empire that ever existed. He defeated the Assyrians with Nineveh and Syria fell to the Babylonians. He expanded his empire while building the city of Babylon into a wonder of the ancient world. As a young military commander, Nebuchadnezzar defeated Egyptian forces at Carchemish, giving his father control over Syria. His first ambition when he ascended to the throne was to expand his empire, taking Jerusalem and Judah, and attacking Egypt. His second ambition was to rebuild the city of Babylon, making it one of the wonders of the ancient world. He deserves to be one of the most awesome monarchs every historian should know.

King Nebuchadnezzar II didn't stop there with his takeover of the Kingdom of Judah. Destroy the city of Jerusalem and bring the Jewish people back to Babylon. He also defeated the Egyptian forces allied with the king of the Assyrian empire. The Egyptians were trying to support the Assyrians against the Babylonians but to no avail when the empire fell to King Nebuchadnezzar II. The reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II is recorded both in Biblical texts and in historical records highlighting the empire's greatness and size. The Babylonian Empire in Iraq today is a world heritage site that remains impressive in the 21st century.

• Description: King of the Neo-Babylonian Empire
• Born: 630 BCE
• Died: 561 BCE
• Reign: August 605 BCE - 7 October 561 BCE

King Darius III was king of the mighty Persian Empire, which covered most of the Middle East and parts of Asia. He came to power after the previous king, Artaxerxes IV Asses, was killed in a power struggle. But unfortunately, King Darius III came to power at a time when the Persian empire was in decline or in its final leg. There were uprisings throughout the empire because most people despised the rulers. This happened at a time when another king, Alexander the Great, was planning to attack and conquer the Persian Empire. Therefore, he is one of the most awesome monarchs every historian should know.

King Darius III is famous as the last king of the Persian Empire and also the king who stood in the way of Alexander's conquest. Although King Darius III had a larger army, he was always beaten by Alexander, a much greater military leader. Most of the battles he engages with Alexander end in either him running away or running away. He was eventually killed by his officials, who led to the fall of the Persian Empire to the King of Macedonia, Alexander the Great.

• Description: King Darius III of Persia
• Born: 380 BCE
• Died: 330 BCE (Bactria)
• Reign: 336 - 330 BCE

King Alexander the Great was the king of Macedonia at the age of 20, not only a king but also a talented military leader. As king, he did the impossible that puzzled people for centuries. He was a dominant force in the 4th and 5th centuries. His military genius was the key to his becoming a legendary figure. As king of Macedonia, he set out to conquer the lands and kingdoms of Persia. During that time, the kingdom of Persia was the most formidable empire.

One of the most revered men around the world in the monarchy brotherhood, King Alexander the Great deserves to be listed on the list of awesome monarchs every historian should know. He began in infancy after the death of his father and went on to conquer all of Greece by the age of 22. He died at the age of 33 due to a battle with a fever that caused his health to decline. By the time Alexander died at the age of 33, he had already managed to have an empire that stretched across Europe, present-day Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Egypt, India, Syria, and Iraq. He was the King of Macedonia, King of Persia, and Pharaoh of Egypt. He became a legend throughout the centuries as not only a warrior king but also the greatest king.

• Description: King of Macedonia and Persia, Pharaoh of Egypt
• Born: 356 BCE
• Died: June 13, 323 BCE (Babylon, Iraq)
• Reign: 336 - 323 BCE

An Egyptian queen of Macedonian descent from her Ptolemaic ancestor - was Alexander the Great's general, Queen Cleopatra VII was actually the last pharaoh of Egypt before it fell into Roman hands. What impressed Queen Cleopatra was her intellect; she is fluent in different languages and also well-educated in things like math and philosophy. But her love affairs or relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony made her so famous that even Shakespeare wrote about her. Such relationships with powerful Roman men helped her secure her dominion in Egypt. But the Roman people disliked her especially because she was the mistress of Emperor Julius Caesar, who was married. Cleopatra VII is one of the indispensable names when talking about awesome monarchs every historian should know.

When the emperor was stabbed to death in the Roman senate, Queen Cleopatra VII escaped back to Egypt, and the new ruler Octavian declared her an enemy of Rome. This is where the Roman general Mark Anthony became a great ally and lover. Mark Anthony was also not a fan of Octavian so he fled to Egypt, where he met Queen Cleopatra. But when the Octavian army invaded Egypt and won decisive battles, both Mark Anthony and Queen Cleopatra committed suicide. The Romans who now controlled Egypt became part of the Roman Empire and the queen's reigns were over.

• Description: Queen of Ancient Egypt
• Born: 70 BCE or 69 BCE
• Died: August 30 BCE (Alexandria, Egypt)
• Reign: 51 - 30 BCE (21 years)