Plural of throne; ceremonial chairs symbolizing royal or divine authority, or the power and position they represent.
From Greek 'thronos' (elevated seat), related to 'thrassein' (to sit). Entered English via Latin 'thronus' and Old French 'trone.' Always carried connotations of elevated status and divine authority.
Thrones are literally about elevation - raising the ruler physically above subjects to symbolize their higher status. Even in modern democracies, judges sit on elevated benches and speakers have elevated platforms, showing how deeply this vertical metaphor for authority runs in human culture.
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