[ABrit]

Ever hear of the "Danegeld"?

It was the money paid to the Vikings by the Andlo Saxons to secure peace. The Danes kept asking for more, and in the end, they still conquered the Anglo Saxons anyway.

What is the saying about history repeating itself as tragedy, and then farce?

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #3

Han dynasty of China had the similar experience with Xiong-nu tribe.