MINDLESS MUSINGS

A tribal settlement might grow to become a village and would probably have someone like a chief. If this village continues to expand and either merges or takes over surrounding settlements and villages it could well earn itself the title of kingdom! The chief who manages to convince the population that they are the rightful boss, or knocks off all the competition, may now call themselves a king (or some other lofty moniker).

Without getting too complicated I should point out that there would be many variations on the kingdom theme. Aside from the one abovementioned there may be a group of separate fiefdoms scattered across the land, each ruled by its own Baron or whatever haughty name the one in charge wants to give themselves. These may choose, or be forced, to unite under the flag of a supreme wanker (I mean ruler) and this person would be the king or queen. This where you find all the “Game of Thrones” intrigue. Those flag manufacturers were on a good wicket I’d say.

On the other hand, there is the middle of nowhere kiosk that grew to become a successful watering hole and crash palace, which then attracted more merchants and establishments and swelled into a successful town. The original retailer might hold the reigns or be toppled. More often the town would choose their own leader and representative – a mayor or Burgermeister (I love that word!).

If this metropolis continues to develop, eventually it will become a city. I have no idea how this is achieved. I suppose there are certain criteria that need to be met. I don’t think an actual person comes out like a Guinness Book of World Records representative to make it official but then again…

So here we are at the inception of people living in large numbers, in close quarters with people they may have no kinship with whatsoever. Lots of strangers coming and going. A different form of community will take root, and a new leadership should emerge. Should, but it will be mostly the same bullshit going by a different name. Humans are pack animals after all, and they will usually follow the person who seems to know what they are doing more than anyone else. Either that or the person who scares the shit out of them.

Every group will inevitably produce a head honcho of some sort. We don’t like to admit it, but most of us would prefer someone else making the big decisions. That way we can blame someone else if there is a major fuck up. A truly great leader will walk that fine line of taking credit for the wins and palming off the blame for any losses. The average peasant has their hands full just staying alive. If you add in a family, they are swamped! It’s easier to complain about the people in charge and chatter about how things could be better without having any authority and thus no responsibility.

These cities may or may not stand alone. Some will be under the domain of a kingdom, just swap baron for Burgermeister (I had to). They rule the realm, but they answer to the king or shogun etc.

Now back to the Game of Thrones contest. When I was a kid there was a game for the Commodore 64 called Defender of the Crown and the aim was to gain as much territory as possible to expand your kingdom. It was very rudimentary, but the goal was logical and applicable here. Conquer or be conquered. Unfortunately, we do not live in a world that is fair, and no matter how much we would love to just get along, there will always be assholes who want more.

Whether you play the game or not you are in it and you will be affected by it. The majority can merely keep their heads down and hope they don’t get stomped on, especially in the lawless times we are discussing.

Sadly, if you are the one in charge and you do get into all that ‘peace, love and mung beans’ stuff you will be crushed along with your pacifist followers. You’re only chance, as I mentioned before, was to run for the hills and keep the hell away from the ever developing ‘civilisations’.

If you want to live amongst the throng you have to stick to your station and hope your ruler is good at the game; or whoever replaces them. In this competition a sovereign must be ever vigilant against treachery from without and within; you snooze you lose. If you are not growing your wealth and army, you better hope the invaders are satisfied with a reasonable merger. If not, you just have to cop it sweet.

So, the more symbiotic clans continued to create distance between themselves and the overwhelming wheels of progress. The nonconformist mobs who stood their ground and put up a good fight earned themselves the title of barbarians. Those rebellious savages on the outskirts that refuse to assimilate to the prevailing hierarchy and social norms who don’t have the decency to flee or be wiped out.

As for the kings, czars, maharajahs and any other synonyms. They would play the game. Thousands would die without a clue why. The boss hogs who managed to win (for a while at least) entered a new stratosphere of power – they became the leaders of empires!