Louis XIV, known as the Sun King, was the King of France from 1643 until his death in 1715. He is famous for his long reign and for establishing a centralized state governed from the royal court at Versailles. Louis XIV epitomized the absolute monarchy, believing in the divine right of kings and famously stating, "L'état, c'est moi" (I am the state). Under his rule, France became a dominant power in Europe, with significant cultural and military achievements. His reign saw the flourishing of the arts, including the works of Molière and Racine, and the expansion of French territories through various wars, solidifying his legacy as one of the most influential monarchs in history.