Malcolm Rivera
The first constitutional monarchy is thought to have been the Hittite Empire, an ancient Anatolian people who lived during the Bronze Age. The Hittite monarchy changed from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy, in which the king or queen had to share their authority with an assembly, called the 'Panku'. The Panku was made up of members from scattered noble families who worked as representatives of their subjects. The French Constitution of 1791 was the first written constitution in France, created after the collapse of the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | Hittite Empire |
| Ancient name | Hittites |
| Ancient people | Anatolian |
| Era | Bronze Age |
| King or Queen | Had to share authority with an assembly called the 'Panku' |
| Modern equivalent | Deliberative assembly |
| Modern examples | United Kingdom, Spain, Belgium, Sweden, Japan |
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What You'll Learn
- The Hittite Empire was the first constitutional monarchy
- The Hittite King had to share power with an assembly called the 'Panku'
- The Hittite King had no sole authority and had to delegate duties to nobility
- Modern constitutional monarchies include the UK, Spain, Belgium, Sweden and Japan
- Modern constitutional monarchs may hold formal powers such as dissolving parliament
The Hittite Empire was the first constitutional monarchy
Constitutional monarchy may refer to a system in which the monarch acts as a non-party political head of state under the constitution, whether written or unwritten. While most monarchs may hold formal authority, in practice, the government may legally operate in the monarch's name. In some countries, such as Monaco, Morocco, Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain, the constitution grants substantial discretionary powers to the sovereign. In other countries, such as the United Kingdom, Spain, Belgium, Sweden and Japan, the monarch retains no formal authority.
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The Hittite King had to share power with an assembly called the 'Panku'
The Hittite Empire, an ancient Anatolian people who lived during the Bronze Age, is thought to be the first constitutional monarchy in the world. The Hittite King had to share power with an assembly called the Panku. This was a change from the Old Kingdom, when the Hittite monarchy was an absolute monarchy, with the king having control over all facets of life, earning the title of the 'Great King'.
The Hittite King was not the sole authority, and had nobility to whom he delegated duties. The Panku was the equivalent of a modern-day deliberative assembly.
In 1970, the Republic of Turkey gifted an exact replica of the Hittite version of the Treaty to the United Nations, which has been on display there ever since as a symbol of diplomacy and the promise of peace between nations.
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The Hittite King had no sole authority and had to delegate duties to nobility
The Hittite Empire is thought to be the world's first constitutional monarchy. The Hittites were an ancient Anatolian people who lived during the Bronze Age. Initially, the Hittite King had control over all facets of life, earning the title of the 'Great King'. However, at some point, probably during the change from the Old to the New Kingdom, the Hittite monarchy changed to a constitutional monarchy. This meant that the King was no longer the sole authority and had to share power with an assembly called the 'Panku'.
The Hittite King had to delegate duties to nobility as he was no longer the sole ruler. This change in power structure meant that the Hittite King had constraints on his power through a constitution. The Hittite version of the Treaty, which symbolises diplomacy and the promise of peace between nations, is on display at the United Nations.
Constitutional monarchy may refer to a system in which the monarch acts as a non-party political head of state under the constitution, whether written or unwritten. While most monarchs may hold formal authority, in practice, the government may legally operate in the monarch's name. In countries such as the United Kingdom, Spain, Belgium, Sweden, and Japan, the monarch retains no formal authority.
Political scientist Vernon Bogdanor, paraphrasing Thomas Macaulay, has defined a constitutional monarch as a visible symbol of national unity who may hold formal powers such as dissolving parliament or giving royal assent to legislation.
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Modern constitutional monarchies include the UK, Spain, Belgium, Sweden and Japan
The Hittite Empire is thought to be the first constitutional monarchy in the world. The Hittites were an ancient Anatolian people who lived during the Bronze Age and whose King or Queen had to share their authority with an assembly, called the 'Panku'.
The UK is a constitutional monarchy, with King Charles III as its monarch. The monarch in the UK has a ceremonial role and is the head of state. The monarch has certain formal powers, such as the power to appoint the prime minister, but these are usually exercised on the advice of the government.
Spain is also a constitutional monarchy, with King Felipe VI as its monarch. The Spanish monarchy was restored in 1975 after the death of dictator Francisco Franco. The Spanish monarch is the head of state and has a largely ceremonial role, although the monarch does have some formal powers, such as the power to dissolve parliament and call for new elections.
Belgium is a federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, with King Philippe as its monarch. The Belgian monarchy is a popular institution, with the monarch serving as a symbol of national unity and having a largely ceremonial role. The monarch does have some formal powers, such as the power to appoint ministers and sign laws, but these are usually exercised on the advice of the government.
Sweden is a constitutional monarchy with King Carl XVI Gustaf as its monarch. The Swedish monarchy is one of the oldest in Europe, dating back to the 10th century. The Swedish monarch is the head of state and has a largely ceremonial role, although the monarch does have some formal powers, such as the power to appoint the prime minister and open and close parliamentary sessions.
Japan is a constitutional monarchy with Emperor Naruhito as its monarch. The Japanese monarchy is the oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world, dating back to at least the 6th century BC. The Japanese monarch is the symbol of the state and the unity of the people, and has a largely ceremonial role, although the monarch does have some formal powers, such as the power to appoint the prime minister and dissolve the lower house of parliament.
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Modern constitutional monarchs may hold formal powers such as dissolving parliament
The Hittite Empire is thought to be the first constitutional monarchy in the world. The Hittites were an ancient Anatolian people who lived during the Bronze Age. Their king or queen had to share their authority with an assembly, called the 'Panku'.
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Frequently asked questions
A constitutional monarchy is a form of monarchy in which the sovereign exercises authority in accordance with a written or unwritten constitution. Constitutional monarchy differs from absolute monarchy (in which a monarch holds absolute power) in that constitutional monarchs are bound to exercise their powers and authorities within the limits prescribed within an established legal framework.
The oldest constitutional monarchy dating back to ancient times was that of the Hittites. They were an ancient Anatolian people that lived during the Bronze Age whose King or Queen had to share their authority with an assembly, called the 'Panku', which was the equivalent to a modern-day deliberative assembly or a legislature.
Members of the Panku came from scattered noble families who worked as representatives of their subjects in an adjutant or subaltern federal-type landscape.
Modern constitutional monarchies include countries such as Monaco, Morocco, Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain, where the constitution grants substantial discretionary powers to the sovereign, to countries such as the United Kingdom, Spain, Belgium, Sweden and Japan, where the monarch retains no formal authority.
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