# Power and Corruption in Conan Stories

> Theme guide for Conan Stories by Robert E. Howard.

The pursuit of power, whether through sorcery, political intrigue, or brute force, corrupts individuals and societies, leading to cruelty, betrayal, and moral decay.

## Where it surfaces

- [I: Conan Joins the Pirates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/i-conan-joins-the-pirates): The corrupt court of Argos, where a guardsman's violence goes unpunished and Conan is persecuted for loyalty, highlights the theme of corrupt power.
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/ii): Jehungir and Ghaznavi's manipulative plot to use Octavia as bait reflects the corrupt use of power.
- [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/vi): Khosatral's corrupting influence over the city and its inhabitants, and Conan's rejection of that power.
- [The People of the Black Circle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/the-people-of-the-black-circle): The Black Seers of Yimsha and their agents, like Khemsa, use dark magic to manipulate political power, corrupting both rulers and servants.
- [I: Death Strikes a King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/i-death-strikes-a-king): Kerim Shah serves King Yezdigerd of Turan, revealing the political machinations behind the king's assassination.
- [II: A Barbarian from the Hills](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/ii-a-barbarian-from-the-hills): Yasmina wields royal authority to command the governor, but her quest for vengeance drives her to risky, manipulative measures.
- [III: Khemsa Uses Magic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/iii-khemsa-uses-magic): Khemsa's use of forbidden magic for personal ambition, betraying his masters and killing prisoners to seize power.
- [IV: An Encounter in the Pass](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/iv-an-encounter-in-the-pass): Yasmina's regal authority is stripped away as she is reduced to a captive, highlighting the fragility of power in the wild.
- [VIII: Yasmina Knows Stark Terror](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/viii-yasmina-knows-stark-terror): The Master's absolute power corrupts utterly, as he toys with Yasmina for his own amusement and seeks to break her will through torment.
- [A Witch Shall Be Born](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/a-witch-shall-be-born): Salome's lust for power drives her to usurp the throne and summon ancient evil, corrupting the kingdom.
- [I: The Bloodred Crescent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/i-the-bloodred-crescent): Salome and Constantius conspire to usurp the throne of Khauran, using deception and force.
- [II: The Tree of Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/ii-the-tree-of-death): Constantius's seizure of power and the false queen's betrayal illustrate the corrupting influence of power.
- [III: A Letter to Nemedia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/iii-a-letter-to-nemedia): Taramis's descent into madness and tyranny, debauchery, and the systematic oppression of Khauran illustrate the corrupting influence of absolute power.
- [IV: Wolves of the Desert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/iv-wolves-of-the-desert): Olgerd's ambition and his attempt to maintain control are challenged by Conan's superior strength and strategic acumen, leading to a violent transfer of power.
- [V: The Voice from the Crystal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/v-the-voice-from-the-crystal): Salome's usurpation of the throne and her alliance with Constantius illustrate the corrupting influence of power, as she rules through deception and cruelty.
- [VI: The Vulture’s Wings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/vi-the-vulture-s-wings): Salome's tyrannical rule and use of sorcery to maintain power, contrasted with Conan's rejection of kingship.
- [I: Paths of Intrigue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/i-paths-of-intrigue): Thutmekri's political maneuvering and suspected bribery of Gorulga illustrate how power is sought through corruption and deceit, with the treasure as the ultimate prize.
- [II: Goddess Awakens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/ii-goddess-awakens): Thutmekri and Zargheba's scheme to manipulate the oracle and seize the Teeth of Gwahlur illustrates the corrupting influence of power and greed.
- [IV: The Teeth of Gwahlur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/iv-the-teeth-of-gwahlur): The false goddess's command to give the Teeth to Thutmekri and flay Conan illustrates the corrupt use of religious authority for political and material gain.
- [II: The Night Skulkers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/ii-the-night-skulkers): Totrasmek's manipulation of Zabibi and Alafdhal through magic, and the fear he instills in the city, illustrate the corrupting influence of power.
- [IV: Dance, Girl, Dance!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/iv-dance-girl-dance): The satrap's madness and Totrasmek's plot reveal the corrupt use of power in Zamboula.
- [VI: The Eyes of Tascela](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/vi-the-eyes-of-tascela): Olmec's betrayal of Conan and Valeria, and Tascela's manipulation of Olmec through hypnotic control, illustrate the corrupting influence of power.
- [VII: He Comes from the Dark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/vii-he-comes-from-the-dark): Tascela's manipulation of Olmec and her use of human sacrifice to maintain her youth and power exemplify the corrupting influence of absolute power.
- [The Hyborian Age](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/the-hyborian-age): The narrative describes the rise and fall of empires, the use of barbarian mercenaries, and the corrupting influence of power as kingdoms vie for dominance.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/themes/power_and_corruption
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/conan_stories_se/themes