Final answer:
A king inherits power often through hereditary succession, while a tyrant seizes control without legal right, often during social unrest but may still provide public benefits.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary difference between a king and a tyrant lies in how they come to power and their source of authority. A king traditionally inherits their position, often through hereditary succession and they may rule until they die or abdicate the throne. In contrast, a tyrant takes power by force or cunning, often without any legal right to rule. Tyrants typically emerge as strong leaders during times of social unrest and may initially have public support for instituting change or averting civil conflict. Despite their method of coming to power, tyrants at times provided benefits for the citizens, such as land distribution, public works, and job creation.