You can't beat that for a show of imperial power!
A deal is soon formed between the oil nation and an imperial power.
But this had nothing to do with the seat of real imperial power in the 1100's.
But we and they have to recognize our nation as the great imperial power it has become.
To this end they wanted to create a symbol of imperial power.
The imperial power declined further as the states' rights were increased.
"And if people want to say we're an imperial power, fine."
This practice fell out of use as imperial power declined.
Nations sometimes fail, and when they do, only outside help - imperial power - can get them back on their feet.
And about a world in which there is only one real imperial power.