# Rulers
Stories Of How Servius Tullius, Maximinus Thrax, Justinian I Came To Power
Bust of Maximinus Thrax at Capitoline Museum, RomePublic Domain, Source: José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro/Wikimedia Commons. We often believe that only someone with a Royal background could achieve some power in the Kingdom, and someone with no influence could never hold any political power. The stories about commoners rising to power and becoming a King have always been assumed to be a thing of fairy tales. However, throughout history, there have been many instances when a pauper could become a prince.
Tragic Tales of History’s Seven Shortest Reigning Rulers: Lady Jane Grey, Empress Yuan, Tsar Michael II, and others
The period when rulers could come in power either by descent or by influence was a dangerous yet dramatic time to be alive. History bears testimony to the rulers who survived only to bring great developments into their kingdoms: some built empires and dynasties, while others left no place on the earth undevoured. Yet, there were a few unfortunate rulers who were killed because of an inevitable conspiracy — with no luck at all from their side.