The Pillage Of Rome (The Play) Part 2
Lorient Montaner
ACT IV
SCENE I
At the court of Heraclian, the governor of the province of Africa.
Heraclian has received tidings of the siege of Rome and the precarious status of the emperor. He discusses the matter with his minister, Vergilius.
HERACLIAN
'Twould seem that the tidings from Rome are not good.
VERGILIUS
The barbarians are not to be trusted, my lord.
HERACLIAN
Honorius must deal with the Goths, who are a race of twofold nature.
VERGILIUS
What dost thou mean by that argument?
HERACLIAN
What I mean is that the Goths are one day thine allies and the next, thy foes. As with all barbarians, their allegiance is questionable.
VERGILIUS
How doth one deal with such uncivil men of impropriety?
HERACLIAN
I have heard talk of this Alaric, the king of the Visigoths.
VERGILIUS
Can this one man be trusted in the end?
HERACLIAN
From what I know of him, he hath served the Roman Empire valiantly.
VERGILIUS
Wherefore hath he betrayed his allegiance to the emperor?
HERACLIAN
That is indeed an interesting question. However, I do not have the answer.
VERGILIUS
What dost thou intend to do, anent the current situation?
HERACLIAN
I shall send a messenger to the emperor in Ravenna, to offer my loyalty and assistance to him and the Roman Empire.
VERGILIUS
The emperor cannot be intimidated by these savage barbarians.
HERACLIAN
If the emperor doth request my assistance thereafter, I shall dispatch a pair of legions of my bravest soldiers.
VERGILIUS
What if Alaric be bold enough to march upon Ravenna, or even unto Africa?
HERACLIAN
If he be foolish, then we shall greet him upon the battlefield, as soldiers of war.
VERGILIUS
The Goths shall not dare to enter our lands imprudently.
HERACLIAN
We shall see what the intrepid Goths are capable of, with their unpredictable actions.
SCENE II
Near a city in Northern Italy, not far from Ravenna.
Attalus and Alaric march to Ravenna, compelling some cities in Northern Italy to submit to the authority of the usurper Attalus.
ALARIC
Honorius trembleth in total apprehension at the mere thought of our presence nigh.
ATTALUS
I imagine his manhood hath abandoned him, as he beholdeth the reality confronting him.
ALARIC
And Heraclian?
ATTALUS
Worry not. I have despatched a Roman force to subdue any possible involvement of his in the conflict.
ALARIC
We must be certain who are our allies and who are our enemies.
ATTALUS
Now is the hour to march upon Ravenna and murder Honorius!
ALARIC
Perhaps 'twould be better to let him live, and not die.
ATTALUS
I must strongly disagree, Alaric. Honorius is better off dead than alive.
ALARIC
I am patient enough to watch him plead for his life.
ATTALUS
He is desperate, and we must bring Honorius before us on his knees. He shall request urgent assistance from the Eastern Emperor, Theodosius II.
ALARIC
Theodosius II is in no condition to risk another invasion of mine into his fragile empire.
ATTALUS
With all due respect, we cannot dismiss his power and the legions of Roman soldiers under his command.
ALARIC
I shall address the issue of outsiders' involvement, regardless of their allegiance. For now, we shall rest and continue our march to Ravenna on the morrow.
ATTALUS
I hope the men are strong enough to reach Ravenna.
ALARIC
Be not concerned with the vigour of my men, for they are men of valour.
ATTALUS
Let us hope that their vigour and valour are accompanied by victory.
ALARIC
Shall we make a wager — whose men are braver upon the battlefield, thine or mine?
ATTALUS
I believe I shall accept that honest wager!
ALARIC
Then shalt thou wager thy noble title, as emperor?
ATTALUS
And what shalt thou wager?
ALARIC
My kingdom!
ATTALUS
Perhaps 'twould be wiser to concentrate on Honorius than on unnecessary bets.
SCENE III.
At the court of the Imperial Palace in Ravenna.
Honorius has been informed by Jovius of the sack of Rome, and that the armies of Alaric and Attalus are near Ravenna. At first, he is largely impervious to the danger and too incredulous, as he indulges in his debauchery without restraint.
HONORIUS.
What art thou saying, Jovius?
JOVIUS.
Rome has been sacked by Alaric and his warriors. But that is not the worst of it. He hath installed a new emperor in thy place—one Priscus Attalus, who now accompanieth Alaric.
HONORIUS.
Art thou jesting? For if so, it is in very poor taste! I am the sole emperor of the Western Empire. I shall not suffer the intrusion of this usurper.
JOVIUS.
I wish I were jesting, Emperor—but I am not.
Honorius’s expression changes from incredulity to manifest dread.
HONORIUS.
What am I to do?
JOVIUS.
Compose thyself, Emperor.
HONORIUS.
How can I, when the barbarians stand just outside Ravenna?
JOVIUS.
We shall defend thee, until the invaders are repelled.
HONORIUS.
I cannot depend on that—our numbers are too few. I must flee—to the province of Africa, or to Constantinople—until Alaric and this usurper are removed.
JOVIUS.
You might send me to speak with Attalus. I could attempt to reason with him.
HONORIUS.
Dost thou truly think he will heed thy words?
JOVIUS.
I shall try to persuade him that it is better to ally himself with thee, rather than with the Goths.
HONORIUS.
Do whatever thou must to convince him. Delay their advance if thou canst—do something!
JOVIUS.
Aye, Emperor.
HONORIUS.
Offer him, if need be, a share of the Western Empire. I must be left alone to consider mine options.
JOVIUS.
I shall depart at once to speak with Attalus in person.
HONORIUS.
Go—go to him at once, and do not return unless thou hast succeeded. If thou failest, do not come back, for I shall dismiss thee from my court.
JOVIUS.
I shall not fail thee, Emperor.
SCENE IV.
At the camp of Alaric and Attalus, outside Ravenna.
Jovius arrives at their camp and attempts to negotiate with Alaric and Attalus.
ALARIC.
Jovius, thou said that the next time we met it might be as enemies. Hast thou come to fight and be slain?
JOVIUS.
That depends entirely upon thine actions. But know this—I have come to speak with Attalus in private.
ALARIC.
Honorius sent thee, did he? I see he feareth me too much to come himself. Whatever he wisheth to negotiate, it must includeth me.
JOVIUS.
As a minister of the Emperor, I do only what I am commanded.
ATTALUS.
Alaric, let me speak with Jovius. Let us hear what he hath to say. Trust me—I shall not betray thee.
ALARIC.
Very well, but be brief.
ATTALUS.
That shall suffice.
JOVIUS.
Good. I believe we may resolve our differences as statesmen, not as savages.
Jovius speaks to Attalus about sharing rule of the Western Empire with Honorius.
JOVIUS.
Together, thee and the Emperor may rule these lands, if ye are willing.
ATTALUS.
And how am I to know I can trust Honorius?
JOVIUS.
That decision lies with thee.
ATTALUS.
Would it not be more advantageous if thou served under my command? Naturally, I would reward thee—and thou wouldst retain thy position as an adviser, in the court of a new emperor.
JOVIUS.
How could I betray my Emperor so cravenly?
ATTALUS.
Honorius shall soon be deposed—and thee, Jovius, are already a dead man.
JOVIUS.
What art thou implying?
ATTALUS.
Thine honourable Emperor has ordered thine execution.
JOVIUS.
Execution? Lies! I do not believe thee.
ATTALUS.
Wouldst thou believe it more readily from the mouth of a Roman eunuch?
JOVIUS.
A eunuch? Who is this man?
ATTALUS.
Thou knowest him well. He serves thine Emperor.
The eunuch enters, and Jovius is surprised.
JOVIUS.
Pomponius! What hast thou to do with this?
ATTALUS.
Everything, I believe. Speak, eunuch!
POMPONIUS.
Jovius, I overheard Emperor Honorius order a centurion, one Florentinus, to kill thee upon thy return.
JOVIUS.
And how am I to believe thee?
POMPONIUS.
Because I have the written order in mine hand.
The eunuch presents the letter bearing the seal of Emperor Honorius. Jovius is enraged and feels utterly betrayed. He suddenly offereth his service to Attalus and his cause.
JOVIUS.
That imbecile! I have served him loyally, and he ploteth to murder me! We ought to mutilate him in disgrace.
ATTALUS.
Not yet. Honorius shall serve our purposes—with the Eastern Empire.
JOVIUS.
I still think he would be better off dead—but thou art the Emperor now.
SCENE V.
At the camp of Alaric and Attalus.
Alaric hath been informed that Heraclian hath sent legions of Roman soldiers to confront them. Attalus shall go to Africa to confront the army of Heraclian.
ALARIC.
Beware of the burning deserts of Africa. The men of Heraclian are accustomed to that dry region of land.
ATTALUS.
I do not fear the men of Heraclian, nor the inhospitable landscape of Africa.
ALARIC.
Then may thy journey bring victory to thee and thy men!
ATTALUS.
I shall defeat Heraclian on the battlefield, if we ultimately meet thither, and I shall be victorious!
ALARIC.
I shall be waiting for thy return, Attalus, and expecting the head of Heraclian as thy reward.
ATTALUS.
I shall bring his head and sword back, as a triumphant trophy.
ALARIC.
Honorius shall be even more horrified, with the prospect of his head being the next detached.
ATTALUS.
The time for change hath begun.
ALARIC.
Aye! Rome was once impenetrable, but ’twas penetrated.
ATTALUS.
But Ravenna shall not be conquered that easily, due to its dreadful swamps and harsh climate.
ALARIC.
Nevertheless, it shall fall also, as Rome fell before!
ATTALUS.
We must take extreme precaution not to underestimate the forces from without, that could destroy our delicate plans.
ALARIC.
We shall deal with them when the time hath come.
ATTALUS.
And the Huns—why did they not participate?
ALARIC.
I suppose they were not interested in what Honorius had offered them in return for their service.
ATTALUS.
Thus, what are we to believe in what Honorius is scheming?
ALARIC.
Although Honorius is a young coward, he possesseth wit and influence.
ATTALUS.
But for how long shall it serve his purpose?
ALARIC.
Until he no longer hath control of his empire, or he is dead.
ATTALUS.
I go now, Alaric. May we see each other anon!
ALARIC.
May victory be thine!
ATTALUS.
And may Ravenna be thine!
SCENE VI.
At the Imperial Palace in Ravenna.
Four thousand Eastern Roman soldiers, led by their general Valerius, appear at the docks of Ravenna to defend the city from the hostile invasion. Honorius greeteth them in his court with relief.
HONORIUS.
Valerius, I am in debt to the Emperor Theodosius for sending his finest men to defend the heart of the Western Empire.
VALERIUS.
The Emperor was apprised of thy situation with the Goths and immediately sent us to assist thee in Ravenna.
HONORIUS.
Once more, welcome to my city of Ravenna!
VALERIUS.
We are honoured to be hither. What dost thou wish us to do for thee?
HONORIUS.
For now, I need thy men to defend the city.
VALERIUS.
Shalt thou be staying in Ravenna, or dost thou wish to depart the city, until we have defeated the Goths?
HONORIUS.
There is a usurper by the name of Attalus that I must deal with as well. I was told by an informant that the usurper hath headed towards the province of Africa.
VALERIUS.
Dost thou seek to murder this individual?
HONORIUS.
If necessary—but for the moment, I need thee to defeat Alaric, if he be audacious enough to attack the city. Then shalt thou hunt him down, like a wild dog!
VALERIUS.
I do not know if ’tis wise to chase him, Emperor, since we could lose many men in the pursuit.
HONORIUS.
I shall heed thy words of reason for now. However, I shall not tolerate the usurper and Alaric for long.
VALERIUS.
We shall wait to see what action the Goths undertake.
HONORIUS.
We must impose our numbers in strength, against the Goths with sheer intimidation.
VALERIUS.
We shall reduce their furore and bravura amain.
HONORIUS.
Excellent! Do what must be done anon!
VALERIUS.
Aye, Emperor!
HONORIUS.
I shall retire to my chamber, until I have received tidings of the Goths.
VALERIUS.
I shall leave thee and prepare for the Goths!
HONORIUS.
I shall expect to hear the defeat of the barbarians.
VALERIUS.
Let the lesson be taught to the Goths, that we are Romans!
HONORIUS.
The Empire was once feared by all barbarians, but these men have lost this embedded fear. They fear us no longer, Valerius!
VALERIUS.
We shall make them fear us again, Emperor!
ACT V.
SCENE I.
At the camp of Alaric, outside Ravenna.
Alaric has received terrible tidings that Heraclian has soundly defeated Attalus’ forces.
VIDERIC.
My king, there is urgent tidings—the defeat of Attalus and his men by the forces of Heraclian.
ALARIC.
How did this come to pass?
VIDERIC.
I know not!
JOVIUS.
Surely Heraclian was accompanied by multitudes. He must have been forewarned of Attalus’ advance to Africa by that wretched Honorius.
ALARIC.
Until we know the true fate of Attalus, we must bide our time.
JOVIUS.
Even if he yet liveth, Heraclian’s forces shall march upon Ravenna. With the Roman soldiers sent from Constantinople, they present a formidable foe. ’Twould be suicide to attempt an assault upon Ravenna.
ALARIC.
I have reached the same conclusion. Yet, there must be another way to render Honorius powerless.
JOVIUS.
I must differ from that notion, Alaric.
ALARIC.
What dost thou mean?
JOVIUS.
If we render Honorius powerless, another tyrant shall rise to take his place—and he could prove worse than Honorius.
ALARIC.
That remaineth to be seen!
VIDERIC.
What shall be our next course of action, my king?
ALARIC.
I must learn the fate of Attalus ere I make any prudent decision.
VIDERIC.
Shalt thou send a messenger to Africa?
ALARIC.
I had thought to wait, but perchance ’twould be better to send Gothic warriors to invade the province and secure it.
JOVIUS.
But is it wise to risk our current advantage?
ALARIC.
What art thou implying?
JOVIUS.
A prolonged war with foes beyond the Western Empire would bring certain defeat.
ALARIC.
Then we shall await word of Attalus’ fate—and prepare for war with Honorius.
JOVIUS.
Let us not forget his new, powerful allies.
SCENE II.
At the city of Ariminum.
Alaric abandons his raid on Ravenna and returns to Ariminum. He learns from one of the survivors of Attalus’ army that Attalus refused aid from the Goths and has betrayed Alaric’s authority. Attalus lives and has returned.
Counselled by Jovius to depose the usurper emperor, Alaric summons Attalus to Ariminum and ceremonially strips him of his imperial regalia and title. Attalus is allowed to flee. Alaric then decides to reopen negotiations with Honorius.
ALARIC.
Verily, how can I entrust the fate of mine own people to a man who selleth himself to the highest bidder?
JOVIUS.
Attalus was never to be trusted from the outset—his allegiance was ever to his crown, never to his allies.
ALARIC.
How am I to know that thou shalt not betray me, Jovius, since thine allegiance was once to Attalus? Dost thou serve me—or the Roman Empire?
JOVIUS.
Behold, Alaric—I am here! Is not mine own presence proof enough of my loyalty to thee?
ALARIC.
I swear, if thou betrayest me, I shall take thy life with mine own hands.
JOVIUS.
I have told thee—I serve thee now! Besides, Honorius would surely slay me, should I return to Ravenna.
ALARIC.
Good. Let us then turn to the matter of negotiation.
JOVIUS.
We must send a messenger to Ravenna, to speak with Honorius regarding terms.
ALARIC.
I concur.
JOVIUS.
I shall despatch the messenger forthwith.
ALARIC.
Aye. Honorius must know our resolve.
JOVIUS.
We must show no weakness to the emperor.
ALARIC.
Never! One thing I promise thee—my people shall have their kingdom, come what may.
JOVIUS.
Honorius shall not so easily yield to such demands.
ALARIC.
Then I shall compel him to yield—by force, if necessary!
JOVIUS.
Let us hope we need not attack Ravenna blindly.
ALARIC.
I know Honorius well enough to tame his pride—and stir his fear.
JOVIUS.
How, if I may ask?
ALARIC.
Soon thou shalt know—through mine actions.
JOVIUS.
Be not rash, Alaric. One misstep could doom us all.
ALARIC.
I shall not rest until Honorius bends to my will. But make no mistake—I shall not act in folly.
SCENE III.
At the court of the Imperial Palace in Ravenna.
Honorius has received the messenger of Alaric and deceives him, by telling him that he shall meet him near Ravenna for the negotiations, when he is deliberately planning on killing Alaric. He then converses with his minister, Livianus.
HONORIUS.
Alaric hath dared to defy me continually. Doth he think to outwit me so brazenly?
LIVIANUS.
Emperor, Alaric’s desperation shall lead to his eventual downfall.
HONORIUS.
He hath been an unwelcome thorn in my side for several years. But that shall end soon!
LIVIANUS.
What art thou scheming, mine emperor?
HONORIUS.
I have despatched a small force of Roman soldiers to accompany the men of Sarus. Together, they shall ambush and slay Alaric. I would prefer to have him brought before me, so that he might bow ere his execution, but if not—then his murder shall suffice.
LIVIANUS.
Canst thou place thy confidence in a barbarian, truly?
HONORIUS.
Nay—but he shall serve my purpose of ridding me of Alaric. His hatred for the man is enough to compel the deed.
LIVIANUS.
And what shall come thereafter, if Sarus be declared king of the Visigoths?
HONORIUS.
I shall deal with him according to the treaty agreed.
LIVIANUS.
Shalt thou murder him too?
HONORIUS.
We shall see—if he be able to kill Alaric, he must first prove himself worthy of that noble title.
LIVIANUS.
And if he faileth, or perisheth upon the battlefield?
HONORIUS.
Then I have removed a potential threat who would otherwise burden me needlessly.
LIVIANUS.
Alaric shall seek revenge upon thee, should he survive and defeat Sarus.
HONORIUS.
I am well aware of that possibility. Nevertheless, I am sore weary of his presence—each day he liveth, I am burdened more.
LIVIANUS.
We must be prepared for that ominous possibility, should it come to pass.
HONORIUS.
I shall take such measures as are needed to defend Ravenna.
LIVIANUS.
Thou art a clever young emperor, who hath learnt swiftly the affairs of the Empire. I admire thy resolve.
HONORIUS.
For that, I must credit my late father—and Stilicho, who, though he betrayed me, had guided mine early rule with great effectiveness.
SCENE IV.
Outside the city of Ravenna.
Honorius has arranged for a meeting with Alaric, about twelve kilometres from the city. As Alaric waits at the meeting place, Sarus, a sworn enemy of Ataulf and presently allied with Honorius, attacks Alaric and his men, accompanied by a small Roman force.
Alaric survives the attack and, outraged by this treachery and weary of Honorius’ past failures and betrayals, abandons further negotiation and contemplates sacking Rome anew.
ALARIC.
I can no longer trust that conniving Honorius!
VIDERIC.
Sarus hath sworn allegiance to him, my king.
ALARIC.
I shall deal with Sarus—once I have dealt with Honorius.
VIDERIC.
What course shall we now take?
ALARIC.
If Honorius denieth our demands, then we march once more to Rome and lay siege to it.
VIDERIC.
And what shall we gain by taking Rome again?
ALARIC.
This time, we shall leave behind an indelible mark—one the Empire shall not soon forget. We shall deprive the emperor of his remaining treasures.
VIDERIC.
But shall we prevail, if we have failed to convince him ere this?
ALARIC.
Mark me—he shall give us our land, or we shall march upon Ravenna itself and reduce it to rubble.
VIDERIC.
And if there lieth a trap awaiting us?
ALARIC.
Dost thou mean another hidden ambuscade?
VIDERIC.
Aye, my king. Naught could be more ruinous to our cause than to be struck down by Honorius’ forces.
ALARIC.
Perhaps—but I count on Honorius to care not for Rome, and to leave it only token resistance.
VIDERIC.
What if thou art mistaken, and he hath stationed a great force there?
ALARIC.
I believe not that he hath.
VIDERIC.
But should he have done so, we walk straight into another deadly ambush, I fear.
ALARIC.
Then I shall send forth a handful of our brave warriors to reconnoitre the city.
VIDERIC.
’Tis a wise decision—for we are no longer certain what to expect of the Romans.
ALARIC.
Let us then begin our preparations for the march on Rome.
VIDERIC.
I shall inform the men of thy will, my king.
SCENE V.
At the city of Rome.
Alaric’s men have returned and inform him that the city is practically defenceless.
On 24 August, 410, the Visigoths enter Rome through the Salarian Gate—some say by treachery, others by starvation—and proceed to pillage the city for three days. They ransack many of the city’s great buildings, including the mausoleums of Augustus and Hadrian, where numerous Roman Emperors had been laid to rest. The ashes in the urns of both tombs are scattered. Any and all portable goods are looted from across the city, as panic and consternation seize the populace. The Gardens of Sallust are set ablaze and never rebuilt. The Basilica Aemilia and the Basilica Julia are likewise reduced to rubble. The citizens are devastated. Countless Romans are taken captive, including the Emperor’s sister, Galla Placidia. Some are ransomed, others sold into slavery, raped, or slain. Horrified members of the Senate seek refuge along with other notable patricians in the basilica of the apostle Peter, hiding from the wrath of the Visigoths. The Visigoths find them and force open the basilica’s doors with brutal strength. Caelius, a senior member of the Senate, addresses Alaric, who enters last.
CAELIUS.
How darest thou enter the sacred house of Peter! Hast thou no respect for the dead amongst the living?
ALARIC.
mocking, turning to his men
Respect?
The noble Romans seem to have forgotten the meaning of that word when applied to us bilewit Goths!
HILARIUS.
What is it thou wantest, Alaric? Take what thou pleasest—but spare the lives of our men, women, and children!
ALARIC
to his men, sarcastically
Behold the bravery of the highborn Romans! They plead like cowards—like Rufinus, Arcadius, and Honorius!
CAELIUS.
Hast thou not yet satisfied thy whims, Alaric? We who are present are not thine enemies. Go and seek thy true foe in Ravenna. We no longer speak for Rome. 'Tis Honorius to whom thou must address thy grievances and differences.
HILARIUS.
Art thou not the king of the Visigoths?
ALARIC.
Aye! I am king of the mighty Visigoths!
HILARIUS.
Then why dost thou terrorise us and the city of Rome, when our voices were silenced by Honorius without cause?
ALARIC.
Because Rome is the symbol of the Roman Empire!
CAELIUS.
That was centuries ago, when our forefathers built this great city of the empire.
ALARIC.
Then I shall burn it to shame them, for they have shamed my people in bondage!
Galla Placidia, sister of Emperor Honorius, speaks.
GALLA PLACIDIA.
Are ye truly barbarians, that ye must impose thy selfish manhood upon us?
ALARIC.
Galla Placidia. We meet again! How ironic that thou callest us barbarians, when it was thou who consented with the Roman Senate to execute Serena—the former wife of the proscribed Stilicho and cousin to thy brother. Hast thou forgotten that Serena was then strangled to death? Thou art no different than the corrupted members of the Senate. Thou shall be my slave!
GALLA PLACIDIA.
I am not thy property—I am the sister of the Emperor! How darest thou treat me like a common slave!
Pelagius, a Roman monk from Britain, steps forth.
PELAGIUS.
This dreadful calamity is over, and thou art witness to how Rome, who once commanded the world, stood astonished at the sound of the Gothic trumpet, as thou breached her walls. Look at us now! Where are the privileges of birth, the distinctions of quality? All ranks were levelled then, all thrust together without order. Each house is a scene of misery, filled equally with grief and confusion. Slave and noble alike suffer the same terrors of death and slaughter—though perhaps those with more to lose fear death the most.
We are the living. I make no presumption, only a plea: show civility and respect this sacred house of worship. Leave Rome and end this madness at once!
Alaric is visibly moved by the monk’s plea.
ALARIC.
As for the members of the Senate and the rest—thou shalt be spared. My vengeance is not upon thee, but upon Honorius.
CAELIUS.
We are grateful, though we both know thine hatred for Rome is rooted deep, from thy very youth, Alaric.
ALARIC.
Indeed. Thou art fortunate that mine heart is merciful and that I am not truly wroth this day. Else, I would have let my men raze this Rome of the empire to the ground.
PELAGIUS.
Then depart, and return no more—for thy soul’s sake, and for fear of the wrath of God!
ALARIC.
The wrath of God, monk? Next time we return to Rome, it shall not be to plunder, but to obliterate!
HILARIUS.
Forgive the monk’s hasty words. He is a visitor from Britain and not familiar with thy ways.
ALARIC.
Naturally. Yet this man who stands before me has more courage than any of ye Senators.
CAELIUS.
We Senators are but statesmen—as he is but a monk.
ALARIC.
We leave now—but what we leave behind is the ruin of Rome, a token of our might, and a message to thine Emperor Honorius.
SCENE VI.
At the court of the Imperial Palace at Ravenna.
Honorius, in Ravenna, is initially stunned when he receives a message from one of the eunuchs, apparently believing that his pet bird named Rome had perished.
EUNUCH.
Rome has perished, mine emperor!
HONORIUS.
But he hath just eaten from mine hands! He is a very large fowl—Rome by name.
EUNUCH.
No, Emperor! 'Twas the city of Rome that hath perished at the hands of the barbarian Alaric!
HONORIUS.
Oh...I thought my bird Rome had died!
The eunuchs and ministers are aghast at the Emperor’s callous response.
EUNUCH.
I fear the emperor has lost touch with reality—and may be going mad, Minister.
LIVIANUS.
So do I. But that is precisely why we must guide him—not for his sake, but for the sake of the Roman Empire.
EUNUCH.
Can his ego be reasoned with, enough to guide him?
LIVIANUS.
That remains to be seen. Still, I’ve an odd feeling that everything shall return to what it once was.
EUNUCH.
What dost thou mean by that, Minister?
LIVIANUS.
I’m not quite sure myself.
EUNUCH.
And Alaric and the Goths? They shall not go away quietly. What will become of them?
LIVIANUS.
Time shall tell whether they are favoured or lost in the annals of history.
EUNUCH.
And what of the Empire?
LIVIANUS.
So long as Alaric lives, he shall remain a threat to the Empire—and to the Emperor.
EUNUCH.
And if he dieth or is slain?
LIVIANUS.
Then the powerful Goths shall be a menace no more.
EUNUCH.
Let us hope, for Ravenna’s sake, that he never cometh.
LIVIANUS.
And if he doth, we shall be ready.
EUNUCH.
And Rome itself—what shall become of it?
LIVIANUS.
Rome shall either endure, or be forever changed.
After three days of looting and pillaging, Alaric quickly departed Rome and headed south, continuing his campaign through Campania, Lucania, and Calabria. Later that same year, Alaric, mighty King of the Visigoths, died of illness in Consentia. Legend tells that he was buried with his treasure beneath the Busento River, and the slaves who carried out the burial were slain to preserve the secret. Ataulf, his brother-in-law, was elected the new king. The Visigoths then moved north into Gaul. In 414, Ataulf married Galla Placidia, but he died a year later. By 418, the Visigoths had established the Visigothic Kingdom in southwestern Gaul. In 451, they would fight alongside the Western Roman Empire against Attila the Hun at the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains.
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