Symbolic Attainment of the World Border

Abstract

At the ideological level, the physical presence of the king in a remote country is sufficient to demonstrate political control. A successful expedition, even one designed more for reconnaissance than conquest, is all that is necessary for symbolic effect; an administrative machine, which could in any case eventually follow, is not required. It is in fact unbelievable that an area where the king freely walks, receives tribute and subdues the people should not be a part of the organized world, whatever the local political system. But is the symbolic achievement a definitive one, or will the peripheral area revert to chaos as soon as the king goes back to the central core? This is quite possible in terms of political control but his symbolic achievement will remain in the memory. As long as we remember that land, and it remembers the royal expedition, its place in the world as officially defined remains secure.