Essay Assignment: Comparing Rulers

This essay asks you to create a 5-page analysis that compares two rulers from the ancient and/or medieval worlds.

Step 1: Choose any two rulers from the list below.

Hammurabi

David

Hatshepsut

Pericles

Alexander

Cleopatra

Augustus

Marcus Aurelius

Constantine

Muhammad

Charlemagne

Pope Gregory VII

Pope Innocent III

Eleanor of Aquitaine

Henry II of England

Louis IX of France

Philip IV of France

Step 2: Find a book or chapter on each of your rulers. Encyclopedia articles are not sufficient. This source must be published, whether it is on paper or not. This means that websites are not an acceptable source.

Step 3: Frame three points of comparison. One of these points of comparison should be the foundation of their legitimacy. That is, a discussion of what ideas, symbols, and practices they use to gain acceptance and obedience to their rule. Other points of comparison might be their personalities, their organization of administration, their use of violence and military power, and their vision of themselves and their people, etc.

Step 4: Identify a symbol each ruler used to represent their power, and include a comparison of these symbols into your paper.

Step 5: Prepare a thesis statement that offers a thumbnail version of your argument in one or two sentences. It is important to be precise and informative as possible. The thesis should offer some statement of what historical insights can be gained by comparing these rulers. The outline should be one page in length.

Step 6: Use the feedback from the instructor to prepare the final essay.