Note 575 — Chapter X · THE STATE (A) THE PROBLEM OF THE ESTATES—NOBILITY AND PRIESTHOOD

This principle formed the basis of the dynastic-idea of the Arabian world (Ommayads, Comneni, Sassanids), which is so hard for us to grasp. When a usurper had seized a throne, he hastened to marry one or another of the female members of the blood-community and so prolonged the dynasty; of law-made succession rights there was no question, nor under this idea could there be. (See also J. Wellhausen, Ein Gemeinwesen ohne Obrigkeit (1900).)