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.
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.
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 glory and expansionism through military conquest was initially successful but ultimately led to overextension, internal turmoil, and the gradual erosion of its power. The accumulation of wealth and the rise of corruption further weakened the empire, eventually leading to barbarian invasions and its ultimate downfall in 476 CE.
Similarly, in the case of the Han Dynasty in China, the pursuit of power and prestige through military campaigns brought initial success, but the expense of maintaining control over vast territories strained the empire. The concentration of wealth in the hands of the ruling elite led to growing social inequality and corruption, undermining the empire's stability. Eventually, the Han Dynasty faced internal revolts, usurpers, and attacks from nomadic groups, leading to its collapse in 220 CE.
In both cases, the excerpt highlights the detrimental consequences of prioritizing external conquests, accumulating wealth, and neglecting the values of freedom and integrity. This ultimately resulted in the decline and eventual downfall of these once-mighty empires.
To answer this question, we need to understand the themes expressed in Lord Byron's excerpt and then apply them to the decline and fall of the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty. The lines suggest that when freedom fails, it leads to a cascade of negative consequences, including the rise of corruption and ultimately, a descent into barbarism. Looking at the historical examples of the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty, we can see how this pattern played out.
In the case of the Roman Empire, its decline and fall were marked by a series of factors that undermine the initial freedoms it enjoyed. Political corruption became rampant, leading to internal instability and the erosion of civic values. This was exemplified by the rise of figures like Emperor Nero, known for his extravagance and tyranny. Eventually, the empire faced invasions from external forces like the Visigoths and Vandals, further accelerating its downfall.
Similarly, in the case of the Han Dynasty in China, the decline can be attributed to a loss of freedom and the rise of corruption. Towards the end of the dynasty, the central government became increasingly weak and decentralized, leading to regional warlords amassing power for themselves. This era, known as the Three Kingdoms period, was marked by constant warfare, political intrigue, and societal disintegration, reflecting a state of barbarism.
In both cases, the initial loss of freedom opened the doors to further problems, including the rise of corruption, the erosion of values, and eventually, a descent into a state of barbarism. Lord Byron's lines capture this pattern of decline and can be applied to justify the historical trajectories of both the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty.