Dynasty

A dynasty is a line of rulers who all come from the same family. This usually happens in kingdoms and empires, but sometimes it can also occur in places that aren’t ruled by kings or queens. When we talk about a dynasty, we often mean a special family, sometimes called a "house," that has power over a country for many years.

Historians use the idea of dynasties to help organize the history of many important places, like the Roman Empire, Imperial Iran, Ancient Egypt, and Ancient and Imperial China. By looking at which family was in charge when, we can better understand how these places changed over time.

In the past, most dynasties passed power from one son to another in the same family. If a daughter became ruler and married into another family, that could start a new dynasty with her husband’s family name. Today, in the monarchies that still exist in Europe, the rules have changed so that the family name stays the same even when a woman becomes the ruler.

Terminology

The word "dynasty" comes from the Greek word for "power" or "lordship". We often use it to talk about families of rulers, but sometimes we use it for other powerful families too, like a family that owns a big company or a family of famous actors.

A ruling family is called a "noble house". This house might be called imperial, royal, princely, ducal, comital, or baronial, depending on the title of its members. For example, we often talk about the House of Habsburg.

A ruler from a dynasty is called a "dynast". This word can also describe any family member who has the right to become the next ruler. For instance, King Edward VIII stopped being a dynast of the House of Windsor when he gave up his position.

A "dynastic marriage" is a marriage that follows the rules of royal families, so that the children can inherit the throne or royal privileges. For example, the marriage of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands to Máxima Zorreguieta was dynastic, meaning their child, Princess Catharina-Amalia, is next in line to be the Crown of the Netherlands.

History

Historians use the idea of dynasties to understand the past of many countries and cultures. For example, they talk about the time of Ancient Iran, Ancient Egypt, and Ancient and Imperial China by looking at the families that ruled them. When we say "a Ming dynasty vase," we are describing something from the time that particular family was in charge.

In the past, most royal families passed power from one son to the next. But today, in many places, a daughter can also become the ruler and keep the same family name. This change has helped keep the names of royal families like the House of Windsor and the House of Orange-Nassau alive even when a queen was the ruler.

Longevity

Dynasties that lasted for at least 200 years include the ones listed below.

Extant sovereign dynasties

For non-sovereign dynasties currently ruling subnational monarchies, see Non-sovereign monarchy and List of current constituent monarchs.

There are 43 sovereign states with a monarch as head of state, and 41 of these are ruled by families that pass leadership from one family member to another. Right now, there are 26 such ruling families around the world.

Political families

Main articles: Political family and List of political families

In places where leaders are chosen by voting, power often stays in the same family over many years. This can happen in countries with elected leaders or in monarchies where the ruler has some control over who follows them. Reasons for this include family reputation, influence, long-standing traditions, and sometimes people simply favoring family members for important jobs.

Hereditary dictatorship

See also: Personalist dictatorship and Absolute monarchy

In some dictatorships, the ruler keeps power within their family by choice. The ruler might prepare one of their family members to take over while they are still alive, or after they pass away, another family member might step in to lead.

Influential wealthy families

Main article: List of wealthiest families

Some families have been very rich and powerful for many years. They often live in big houses and own lots of land. These families can influence important decisions and support artists, scientists, and leaders. Their wealth and status can last for many generations.