Final answer:
Louis XIV's construction of the Palace of Versailles and Peter the Great's building of the city of Saint Petersburg are portrayed as monuments to personal rule.
Step-by-step explanation:
Monuments to Personal Rule
The construction of the Palace of Versailles by Louis XIV and the building of the city of Saint Petersburg by Peter the Great are frequently portrayed by historians as monuments to personal rule. These grand projects were undertaken to showcase the power and authority of the rulers and to solidify their control over their respective countries. Versailles, with its opulent architecture and extensive gardens, became the symbol of French monarchy and the seat of lavish spectacles presided over by the King. Saint Petersburg, on the other hand, was designed as a new capital city that reflected Peter the Great's vision of a modern and powerful Russia.