ABSTRACT
The emperor in the old Chinese monarchy, popularly known as the "Son of Heaven," more popularly misconceived as an absolute monarch like those of ancient and medieval Europe or other Oriental countries, occupied a position unique enough to have no analogue in other states. The emperor's temporary exercise of the sovereign power together with the right of rebellion made the emperor responsible to the people, though the degree of responsibility was quite limited. The court ceremonies adopted at the beginning of the Han Dynasty elevated the position of the emperor at the expense of the ministers. The first emperor of the Ming Dynasty abolished the premiership and established the grand secretariat. By this means, he appropriated all the traditional power and influence of the premier to himself, divided the prestige and influence of the premiership into several grand secretaries, and removed the last effective check on himself by altogether abolishing the office.
