“First Freedom, and then Glory—when that fails,Wealth, vice, corruption—barbarism at last.” —Lord Byron, from “Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage,” 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 the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty, as both cases witnessed a similar pattern of societal degeneration.
In the case of the Roman Empire, the initial idea of "First Freedom" pertained to the political liberties and democratic values enjoyed by the citizens. However, as the empire expanded, these ideals began to erode. This loss of freedom can be seen in the rise of authoritarian rulers such as Julius Caesar and subsequent emperors, who concentrated power in their hands and limited the rights of the citizens. Eventually, the Empire became characterized by oppressive rule and the loss of cherished freedoms.
The pursuit of "Glory" also contributed to the Roman Empire's decline. Initially, the goal of Rome was to establish a just and secure society, as exemplified by the Roman Republic. However, as the empire grew, military campaigns and conquests became more important than the welfare of the citizens. The excessive pursuit of glory through expansion led to increased corruption, economic strain, and ultimately weakened the empire from within.
As for the Han Dynasty, the pursuit of "Wealth" contributed to its decline. The early Han Dynasty focused on strengthening the economy and improving the lives of its people. However, as time went on, the desire for personal wealth and opulence became pervasive among the ruling class. This focus on accumulating wealth resulted in widespread corruption and a neglect of government responsibilities. The emperors and officials became preoccupied with selfish interests, leading to a decline in governance and a loss of faith in the ruling elite.
The final stage indicated by Lord Byron's lines, "barbarism at last," can be observed in the decline of both empires. In the case of the Roman Empire, the constant external pressure from invading barbarian tribes, coupled with internal instability and weak leadership, led to the eventual collapse. Similarly, the Han Dynasty also fell prey to outside invasions, particularly by nomadic tribes such as the Xiongnu. Without strong leadership and a deteriorating society, both empires were ultimately unable to resist the onslaught of external forces.
In conclusion, Lord Byron's lines can be applied to the decline and fall of the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty, as both cases witnessed the erosion of initial ideals, the pursuit of vices and corruption, and ultimately succumbed to barbarism. The historical examples mentioned above support this understanding of the decline of these once-powerful empires.