With reference to two rulers, compare and contrast the methods used to consolidate their rule.

Candidates will give an account of the similarities and differences between the methods used by two rulers to consolidate their rule, referring to both rulers throughout the response. While the focus of the response must be within the timeframe of this topic, the two rulers chosen need not be contemporaneous and they may or may not be chosen from the same region. Methods to be considered may include legislation, the use of force or the use of patronage, and may have been effective or ineffective or a combination of both. The response must not be a descriptive list of methods without some assessment of how these were used by the chosen rulers.