Who are some of History's Dictators that do not fit the modern meaning of the word Dictator?

Question

Julius Ceaser was a populist passing many laws improving the common citizen's quality of life. Octavian did wonders for the infrastructure and moral of Rome. I suppose you could make a case for Alexander but he never truly "ruled" so that is speculation.

I need dictators over the course of history outside of the Ramses and Romans. We're talking true dictators with absolute or fairly close to absolute power who were gracious to their people, diplomatic, and just all around good guys.

Dictators from the middle ages (Charlemagne is too obvious), Renissance, and the modern world fitting this mold who are fairly well known is what I am looking for.

Thank for your help!

Answer 1

So, you're looking for rulers who held absolute power and were the sole controller of their kingdom without the negative aspects which come with the word "Dictator" in modern english.

I'd guess St. Louis of France, I forget what Louis he was. Clement VII tried and failed to protect the citizens of the Papal States. St. Wencelas wasn't a king but a duke who ruled his nation as a dictator while under the control of another man, while this doesn't seem like an actual dicatorship medieval nobility often held their fiefs in semi-autonimous nation status which was far more legitimate than any claims kings had to the sane fiefs. In a way there are literally thousands of possible people, because any major noble of the time you gave could be considered.