“The support of rulers was the main factor enabling the spread of religion.” With reference to two societies, each from a different region, to what extent do you agree with this statement?

Candidates will consider the merits or otherwise of the hypothesis in relation to two societies, although the number of rulers is not specified. While the focus of the response must be within the timeframe of this topic, the two societies need not be contemporaneous with each other. However, the two societies must come from different regions. Candidates may choose, for example, to consider societies where political power was closely linked to, or supported by, religion; there may be examples of the spread of religion through conquest or as a result of natural disasters. Candidates may choose to weigh the importance of rulers’ support, or lack thereof, against other factors. Each society may be considered separately or a thematic approach may be adopted if candidates wish to compare the importance of rulers’ support to the spread of religion.