IntroductionPerhaps one of the most famous European monarchs, King Louis XIV ruled France for approximately 72 years, the longest period ever by a French head of state. It is believed that the reign of King Louis Achieving the powers of a king at the age of just 5, King Louis XIV would rule under his mother and Cardinal Mazarin acting as head of state, deciding most official and civil matters concerning the governance of France. With no proper or formal education under his belt, King Louis XIV nevertheless gained immense insight into virtually all matters of governance and grew to become an extremely intelligent head of state. Even as an adult, King Louis This was because the king had learned, and that too from childhood, that the best way to rule would be to control the subject with absolute authority. In doing so, the king chose his advisors and consultants from the category of "non-noble", with the aim of arousing as little opposition as possible and for reasons of imposing his decisions and motivations without being questioned. Nobles too were useful and had to be retained in the king's entourage, mainly to gain their trust, in exchange for the positions and wealth offered to them in the name of the state. Also famous for his hardworking and pleasant character, the king sought to bring "glory" to France and fought for a united France, simply because it was easier to govern. The king's ideas of making France a glorious state were also manifested in his desire to see other European nations fear, respect and imitate France in all matters of governance, aspects which remained only a set of ideas . Born in 1710 in Versailles, King Louis dead. Unlike the heirs of monarchs, King Louis XIV was not formally educated in worldly discipline, nor trained to become head of state..