Past Lives: The Fall of the Western Roman Empire

by Jet556

There came a time when Rome divided between the West and the East. Ultimately, the West started to crumble while the East remained strong against the invading barbarian hordes. Then came the Fall of the Western Roman Empire.

5. ACT V

ACT V

SCENE I

Ravenna.

When Valens and Nepotianus arrived at Ravenna with a large battalion. They were too late. Ravenna was now under the rule of Odoacer. The Western Roman Empire had fallen.

Dismounting from his horse, Valens fell to his knees. It was then he realized that he was just someone with an ego. He was not the Roman Emperor. Romulus Augustus for all he knew was dead meaning there was no longer an Emperor in the west. Now there was only Zeno in the east, the Byzantine Emperor.

"You were right, Nepotianius." Said Valens. "The Rome I dreamt of is dead. It has been dead since before I was born. Romulus, for all I know is dead and now Odoacer is the King of this… new kingdom… this Italy!"

"What shall you do now, Valens?" asked Nepotianus.

"Politics and military matters bore me." Stated Valens. "They always have. I always felt an obligation to them because of who I thought I was. I'm not the Emperor. With Odoacer now ruling here that means Zeno alone is the Emperor. I guess I'll take a look at the arts, return to Rome, to Galla. Live a life that needs living."

The End