Use the quote to answer the question.

Question

“A great empire, like a great cake, is most easily diminished at the edges.”
—Benjamin Franklin, “Rules by Which a Great Empire May be Reduced to a Small One,” September 11, 1773

Which of these statements best analyzes how events that led to the fall of the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty supported Franklin’s statement?(1 point)
Responses

Both were ruled by ineffective emperors who relied on corrupt advisors.
Both were ruled by ineffective emperors who relied on corrupt advisors.

Both collapsed as a result of power struggles within each imperial court.
Both collapsed as a result of power struggles within each imperial court.

Both were fragmented into smaller sections by their imperial rulers.
Both were fragmented into smaller sections by their imperial rulers.

Both were invaded by nomadic groups who first attacked regions farthest away from the seats of government.
Both were invaded by nomadic groups who first attacked regions farthest away from the seats of government.
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Answer 1

The statement that best analyzes how events that led to the fall of the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty supported Franklin’s statement is:

Both were invaded by nomadic groups who first attacked regions farthest away from the seats of government.

This aligns with Franklin's idea that a great empire is most easily diminished at its edges, as both empires faced invasions that began on their peripheries before spreading inward, ultimately contributing to their decline.