Fabula Factus Est: The Reality of an Eastern Fable of Love

By Daniela Cesta

A historical novel set when ancient Rome was under the siege of the barbarian Visigoths, who had arrived from the far north. It is based on a true story: one woman was at the center of it allintelligent and very beautiful among a thousand other qualitiesPlacidia, sister of the emperor Honorio, becomes very important for Rome. In the great looting suffered by Rome, this Roman woman is carried off by barbarians, and love develops between Galla Placidia and a barbarian, the brother of the king of the Visigoths. Adventure, love, warthis novel contains them all. This romance became an epic love story; only death could separate the two lovers. When her lover is killed by another barbarian, Galla Placidiadaughter of an emperor, sister of an emperor, and mother of an emperoris left with the task of continuing the story of Rome.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Oct 3, 2012
• ISBN: 9781468578881

Daniela Cesta

Daniela Cesta has written more than one hundred poems and two novels. Her poems can be found online at www.pensieriparole.it. In Italy, she took an honorable mention prize for her novel, written in her native Indian. She also won a special jury prize for a novel set in the eighteenth-century (a story about Indians, which is being translated into English). Her blogs are at the following addresses: http://www.weebly.com/weebly/main.php http://cms.last-breaths-of-prairie.webnode.it/ http://cms.poesieromanzifrasi.webnode.it/ http://ilfascinodellapoesia.blogspot.it/

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© 2012 by Daniela Cesta. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse   09/05/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4685-7887-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-7888-1 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

PART I

PART II

PART I

A very splendid production! (Regia magnificentia!)

A very sensational genius! (Clarum genus!)

A very magnificent preacher! (Oratio splendid!)

This was Rome! Closed within her majestic walls with her thirty-seven gates, more than four thousand towers, and ten thousand battlements. The storm passed, and the sky opened up like a heart that had been broken by a sword. Pale sunshine penetrated through the green, ramified limbs shocked violently by the rush of the wind that sent those threatening black clouds far away. The sky briefly turned bright blue, and many of the birds started chirping wildly. The old streets on the outskirts of the city twinkled in the sunshine, and the walls were covered with the vision of springtime that was starting to become green like a woman dressing up for a festivity. They started feeling the warmth of the change of seasons that advanced.

Alaric sat atop his horse observing this beautiful landscape, very touched by the vision. Behind him were eighty thousand Visigoths followed by numerous wagons wherein resided their women, children, and elderly. The people were all clothed in animal hides and leather. They didn’t have a permanent residence; their lives were spent hunting, kidnapping, and constantly making wars. The Romans called them barbarians, because they were very uncivilized.

Ataulfo, King Alaric’s younger brother, approached him.

So, my dear brother, this is Rome! said Alaric.

Ataulfo answered, Yes, my dear brother. Rome is a treasure, the most precious treasure in the whole world. It’s like a beautiful woman who seduces a man. No one can resist her charm!

He dismounted his horse. As he walked along, he examined the walls, his brother following close behind.

Alaric said, "Stilicone was the most famous general of Rome; he was a dear friend of mine, even if we did fight against each other. He told me that these walls hold many rich resources. The city has many districts, vast streets, public squares for preachers, small roadways that go through the entire city, one hundred and ninety barns, and more than two hundred windmills. A lot of imperial forums have grown up. There are also ancient architectural structures with two hundred fountains, and many theaters, pagan temples, churches, and—best of all—gold! A lot of gold and silver! I forgot to tell you that Rome also has twenty-eight libraries. The Roman population is very intelligent. They make laws, and they read and write books—not like the northern people who don’t know how to read or write."

We are true warriors! exclaimed Ataulfo very angrily.

Our clothes are made of animal skins; they are dirty and very rough, while the Romans have baths where they can wash themselves and become more attractive than the women!

They call us barbarians, and they treat us with disdain, as being the lower class of the population. If they don’t accept our demands, this city will become a lot of stone and dust! Ataulfo made his plans very clear.

The king smiled at his younger brother. He was very tall, muscular, and blond with bright eyes that shone with passion.

We won’t accept this! exclaimed Alaric.

He pointed his arm and finger toward Rome.

"My dear brother, don’t be honest with them because the Romans aren’t very trustworthy. They are proud and cruel. We ruined many cities like Bononia¹ and Genua.² We left them in poverty and without anything to eat! We will steal all the treasure of Rome and then destroy them!" Ataulfo continued emphatically.

We fight against men! Not against walls of stones! We will throw down Rome, and all her people will starve to death! exclaimed the king of all the barbarians solemnly.

*    *    *

From the battlement walls, the Roman soldiers observed the foreigners.

They were astonished by the vision. The last time something like this had happened was when they were at war with Brenno.

Barbarians! exclaimed a senator with disdain.

How could this happen? The emperor in Ravenna absolutely has to know about this situation.

The emperor Honorio remained quiet about it for months, when finally, a messenger brought his answer from Ravenna.

You have to be strong!

The senators did not agree with him; they thought him very confused, but they sadly had to accept Honorio’s decree.

*    *    *

Alaric continued to camp on the outskirts of Urbe in peace. He kept the situation under tight control like a well-tied knot. He was waiting for the Romans to surrender. Time passed, and the people started starving to death. Ravenna always sent messages with only one sentence: Keep strong!

Eight months after the siege began, contagious diseases were spreading, followed by many incidences of cannibalism. After this horror, which could not be tolerated, the senators decided to send Giovanni, the head of the public notaries to the Visigoths.

In the Visigoth camp, there was a crackling fire, around which the women stood grilling big pieces of meat. Alaric’s men were eating and drinking so much that they were becoming drunk. Giovanni presented himself, followed by his bodyguard. He observed all the drunk people together, and he couldn’t keep his displeasure from showing on his face.

Welcome! It’s a pleasure having you here with us! exclaimed Alaric happily.

The commander in chief of the imperial notary. It’s a pleasure, and I welcome you from the bottom of my heart, but I think you are used to another kind of dinner… let’s say a bit more luxurious, Alaric confirmed with pleasure.

It’s only a question of culture and refined tastes, my lord, answered the chief with dignity.

What do you want? Alaric asked furiously.

My lord, you are talking about an enormous city called Rome. That city has always had its rights respected with noble pride, courage, and honor. It’s word is law, and that law is superior to all prejudices. Grains of dust next to her are like nothing. Majestic Rome! What can I say? Rome is part of the world, divinity, and God! Rome is genius, and because of this, it rises to a great height!

"Sub lege libertas!³ he said. This is Rome."

Alaric sprang up and threw away the meat that he was eating.

Giovanni glanced at the meat while he continued his pompous speech about the noble pride of Rome.

With an enormous laugh, the king approached him and stopped him. He immediately turned serious and answered, I want all the slaves who have barbarian blood!

After all that, what will you leave for us? asked Giovanni.

Your courage!

The senators will surely not agree!

The worse is on Rome! declared the king as he looked straight into his eyes.

Do what you want, my lord. I only want a favor from you. Please help the young noble sister of the emperor to reach Ravenna. Her name is Galla Placidia—

No! No one can leave the city! Now go away! he said determinedly, interrupting him.

As soon as Giovanni had left, Ataulfo asked, Who is Galla Placidia?

She’s Honorio’s stepsister. Both of them are siblings of the Eastern Orient emperor. She’s very young, and they say she’s a very charming lady. They are Teodosio’s children, he answered with a half smile.

*    *    *

Just like Giovanni had predicted, the senators voted no. Even Pope Innocenzo I, the notaries of the empire, and the pagan priests were present. They talked about the end of the old empire because the Barbarians had conducted several raids against this wavering empire and it was starting to disappear. The pope was held in high esteem by the senate for his culture and moral philosophy.

Your Holiness, you have to pray for a miracle to help Rome. You absolutely have to do it for the population! declared Senator Tuscolo.

You can’t hide the reality of the question. The Romans don’t believe in God anymore. They have lost all their faith. The pope sighed. You know what they say in the streets of Rome? That God sent Alaric to betray the Urbe religion. He stayed silent for a moment and then continued, Do you really think that the Roman population will pray with me for their freedom?

No one answered.

We will ask them to pray for a miracle with our old prayers to God, proclaimed Serse, a non-Christian priest.

What do you think, Your Holiness? Senator Tuscolo asked the pope, very perplexed.

Let’s try to give this city the ability to believe in their Rome again!

The meetings will take place in public, in Campidoglio or at the Forum Traiano. These are two of the most important and biggest squares in Rome. I want all the senators to be present. Please see to it, ordered Serse.

Your Holiness, you have made the right decision.

Senator Tuscolo approached the pope and whispered in his ear, I believe in this system of government. If they continue to worship Alaric, they will only get worse!

He answered with a smile.

Day after day, Rome was venerated by the non-Christian priests in every part of the city. They were very determined to proclaim what they preached, especially in the two main squares of Rome and in the three temples devoted to Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva. Alaric was very sure of himself on the outskirts of Rome and strode about calmly and peacefully. He was still there long after a month had passed! The Visigoth king was celebrating the birth of his youngest son. They were all drinking and eating with good appetites at this important feast. Ataulfo had moved a short distance away with a beautiful young girl with a long blond ponytail.

You’re very beautiful, Ruina! proclaimed the young man. At the end of this war, I want you to become my wife.

I wish that day would arrive tomorrow! I really want to become your wife for all my life! she answered proudly.

Alaric called his brother, interrupting the two young people in their daydreaming.

My dear brother, sit with me. We don’t have time to think of love, he whispered ironically. Rome is before us, and we are killing her bit by bit. The Visigoth’s eyes suddenly became sad. That good-for-nothing Honorio is threatened by a new northern soldier who wears and tears everyone. He dominated the Britons. What do you say we try to kill him? he asked, all the hatred that he had for the man reflecting in his eyes.

If we try to form an alliance with Rome and work with them, we can change the situation that they are now in. We will form diplomatic relations with these difficult people!

Alaric couldn’t hide his pride. His