Who declared his absolute power when he told his subjects i am state?

The statement "L'état, c'est moi" (I am the state) is attributed to King Louis XIV of France. He declared his absolute power during his reign in the 17th century, emphasizing the divine right of kings and his role as the embodiment of the French state. This assertion underscored his centralization of authority and the idea that the monarchy was synonymous with the nation itself. Louis XIV's reign is often characterized by the establishment of a powerful, centralized state and the lavish cultural achievements of the era.