The Great Wall’s Weakness

The Great Wall of China was decades in building and was finished at the expense of vast treasure and thousands of human lives. It was intended for a defense against the marauding hordes of the north, who had so often laid waste to the land. However, historians tell us that within a short time of its completion it was pierced and proved inadequate, not because it was not massive and well enough built, but because of the human element, in each case the enemy bribed the guards. (Encyclopedia of Illustrations #2420).