Use the excerpt to answer the question.
“First Freedom, and then Glory—when that fails,
Wealth, vice, corruption—barbarism at last.”
—Lord Byron, from “Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage,” c. 1812–1818
In 3–5 sentences, explain how the lines from this poem applied to the decline and fall of the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty. Use historical examples to justify your reasoning.
1 answer
The lines from Lord Byron's poem can be applied to the decline and fall of both the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty. In the case of the Roman Empire, the pursuit of wealth, corruption, and vice became prominent during the later years of the empire. The wealth disparity and political corruption weakened social cohesion and eroded the state's ability to effectively govern. This culminated in the barbarian invasions and the eventual fall of the Western Roman Empire. Similarly, in the case of the Han Dynasty in ancient China, the decline can be attributed to corruption, nepotism, and the pursuit of personal wealth by the ruling elite. This weakened the state's administration and led to the breakdown of the central government. As a result, nomadic invasions from the north contributed to the decline and eventual collapse of the Han Dynasty.