The Roman Empress

== Plot summary ==

== Plot summary ==

The Emperor of Rome, Valentitius, is at war with his brother, who has attempted to usurp the throne. The Emperor's wife, Fulvia, attempts to seduce Florus, a Roman soldier and the Emperor's Favorite. When Fulvia fails, she resolves to take revenge by claiming that Florus forced himself upon her; Florus is promptly executed. Aurelia, Valentitius's niece and Florus's former lover, has sworn Florus off (and actively advocated for his execution) after being told by her father that her lover killed her brother in battle. Upon discovering that her father lied to her in the hopes that she would cease to pursue Florus, she murders him. Afterwards, Sophonia, the Emperor's first wife- who, after being wrongfully accused of adultery, has been posing as the handmaid of Aurelia- commits suicide and leaves a note revealing her innocence as well as the fact Florus was her son, whom she, fearing that her own disgrace would endanger his life, passed off as a friend's child.

The Emperor of Rome, Valentius, is at war with his brother, Hostilius, who has attempted to usurp the throne. Valentius, believing himself to be the son of Macrinus, is clandestinely informed by Arsenius, a member of the opposing side, that he is, in actuality, his son, distressing him. The Emperor's wife, Fulvia, attempts to seduce Florus. When Fulvia fails, she resolves to take revenge by claiming that Florus forced himself upon her; Florus is promptly executed. Aurelia, Valentius's niece and Florus's former lover, has sworn Florus off (and actively facilitated his execution by claiming that he betrayed Valentius) after being told by her father that her lover killed her brother in battle. Upon discovering that her father lied to her in the hopes that she would cease to pursue Florus, she murders him. Afterwards, Sophonia, the Emperor's first wife- who, after being wrongfully accused of adultery, has been posing as the handmaid of Aurelia- commits suicide and leaves a note revealing her innocence as well as the fact Florus was her son, whom she, fearing that her own disgrace would endanger his life, passed off as Macrinus's child. Arsenius had asked Macrinus to watch his son while he left to fight for Hostilius. While Macrinus complied with the Arsenius's wishes, the latter's child died. In order to protect Valentius's son, Macrinus let Arsenius believe that the child Macrinus was now raising was his own son. Valentiius reads the note and commits suicide shortly thereafter.

== Influences ==

== Influences ==