The word “subjection” has been used in literature to evoke both physical domination and a subtler sense of moral or emotional restraint. In historical and epic narratives, authors describe the act of conquering and holding lands or peoples in subjection—as in the case of Beowulf’s victory over the Scylfing prince [1] or Cyrus subjugating nations [2]—thereby highlighting authority and conquest ([3], [4], [5]). In other texts, however, “subjection” is loaded with personal and ideological implications, ranging from the self-imposed discipline in religious devotion ([6], [7], [8]) to the oppressive dynamics in gender relations, where it is critiqued and contested ([9], [10], [11], [12]). Additionally, sociologists and philosophers employ the term to explore the tension between individual freedom and the inherent need for order, suggesting that even liberties may require a form of subjection to rational principles ([13], [14], [15], [16]). Across these varied contexts, “subjection” serves as a multifaceted concept, capturing both the tangible effects of conquest and the more elusive restraints on individual will and societal norms.