Summary of the reign
This chapter constitutes the chronological summary covering one
of the long reigns in the dynasty, which lasted twenty-six years, from
33 to 7 B.C. It was a peaceful period, when the traditional practises
were largely continued without change. The government was entrusted
to the Wang clan, that of the Emperor's mother; her brothers, one after
another, controlled affairs, while the Emperor took his pleasure in
amusement, music, banquets, incognito excursions, and in his harem.
The government consequently degenerated and corruption became rife,
until the people were driven to sporadic rebellions, none of which, however,
became serious. Certain events within the imperial harem influenced
history more vitally than anything else.
