I don't think, this niche is necessarily kings & queens. I think it's people needing some kind of beacon, pointing for what should they aim with their life (eve

I don't think, this niche is necessarily kings & queens. I think it's people needing some kind of beacon, pointing for what should they aim with their life (even if they cannot realistically achieve it, at least not fully). That's why we have huge libraries of biography books and millenia old stories of philosophers, heros and rulers. Of course for some people such figure would be Ghandi and for some one of billioners (probably latter was always more appealing to the general public). Both are examples of extraordinary achievements in some area. In highly religious society they would be probably replaced with saints & priests, in highly militarized by great strategists and war heroes. If you dig deep enough, there will be probably some group telling stories, how exciting it was to be able to listen to some post stamps designer, who is considered local legend.