Historical precedent of destroyed nations

وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّن قَرْنٍ هُمْ أَحْسَنُ أَثَـٰثًا وَرِءْيًا

And how many a generation have We destroyed before them who were better in possessions and [outward] appearance?

وَلَقَدْ كَذَّبَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ نَكِيرِ

And already had those before them denied, and how [terrible] was My reproach.