Historical Examples Of The Persecution Of The Dutiful
From "Persecution Of The Dutiful" by P Atkinson (1/5/2013)

The rise of the Roman empire is full of stories of bravery and sacrifice winning fame and respect, the fall of the empire contains the same bravery and sacrifice by individuals but the reward is very different; and leaves no doubt about the evil character of the citizens of a declining civilisation.

Further and more detailed examples can be found in the record of the affairs of 6th century Byzantium by Procopius: "The Secret History".