Matthew Poole and continuators on Revelation 17:10

10 And there are seven kings , five are fallen , and one is , and the other is not yet come , and when he cometh he must continue a short space k.

The seven Heads do not only signify seven Hills or Mountains, but also seven Kings, that is (according to the best Interpretation I meet with) seven forms of Government which ruled Rome (the term Kings, in Scripture signifying Rulers, whether the Government was in Single Persons, or more, as Deut, 33.5.) Rome was governed, 1. By Kings. 2. By Consuls, 3. Tribunes. 4. Decemvirs. 5. Dictators. 6. Emperors that were Pagans. 7. Emperors that were Christians.

Five of these were fallen, extinguished before Iohn's time, viz. The Government by Kings, Consuls, Tribunes, Decemvirs, Dictators.

The Government by Pagan Emperors was at that time in being.

The Government by Christian Emperors was not yet in being; and when it came, it held but a little time before the Bishops of Rome wrested the Government of Italy out of their hands: This to me seemeth the most probable Interpretation of this difficult Text.