Western Legal Tradition

        When Machiavelli wrote of whether it was more important to be feared than loved, he had definitely studied the cases brought up in this paper. He talked of how politics and power were all that a real leader should be concerned with, and, if he isn't how he will not be a strong leader. When Machaivelli writes of being loved, he may have had the love for the gods in mind, as is the case …

…for the band of thieves. Through love and trust, the leaders of the ancient Egyptians, Mesopotamians, and the ancient Hebrews had that in common. They could rule without inducing the element of fear, their subjects loved them because they were good, and their rules were thought to be good, as well. If the rulers were happy, and the people were happy, then the Nile would flow, order would be intact, and God would be happy.