El espejo político moral del rex gratia dei Alfonso IX

the main elements appearing in the ideology attributed to alfonso ix, show an interest in certain typical traits of biblical royalty. such are the examples of cases related to the model of the pious king who fears god, but who at the same time is energetic in the management of public affairs, such as in the fight against islam, and who practices justice when the public rights are violated. proof of this last point is found in the defense of the 'sacred person', the pilgrim, who is favored by certain privileges while the perpetrator of crime is punished. to these attributes of king david is added salomonic wisdom since 'nothing is more deplorable than ignorance' (st isidore). the representation of the king of león is also accompanied by values of chivalry in accordance with cistercian spirituality, and it is completed, ad maiorem gloriam, by the picture of the christian prince portrayed among the chosen to the right of the portico of glory in the santiago de compostela cathedral ending with a prone figure which 'after the journey through life', has fallen into the 'dream of death'.