The Course of Empires Chapter 3: Consummation

Three thousand more summers passed, and the river valley was almost unrecognizable. The banks had been covered over by gleaming white colonnaded marble structures, their stone steps going to the water’s surface in some areas. The stone circle was long gone, having had its stones cannibalized to make other buildings for this glorious empire. A new temple to a much different set of pagan gods stood in its place, a great golden dome standing out from the center of its roof. Out past the two lighthouses that stood on either side of the river’s estuary, even the lonely boulder wasn’t so lonely anymore, for the slopes of the high crag it had called home for so long were now dotted with villas and other such living quarters.

Back in the city itself, the masses were joyously celebrating the arrival of their new emperor and his recent victory over the rebel factions in the southern provinces. It had been his first act as the newly appointed head of state. Barely out of his twenties, he could scarcely believe how fast his rise from the general of the imperial army to the leader of an entire nation had been. Now all the decadence that belonged to an emperor, all the treasures, all the power, and especially all the women, were his to do with as he wished.

When he reached the steps of his grand palace, riding on a colossal golden chariot so large it had to be pulled by an elephant, he raised his hands (and the golden scepter he carried in his right) to signal the crowd for an abatement in their cacophonous jubilations. He then spoke in a profoundly authoritative voice that carried his words over the balconies and the lateen sailed ships floating in the harbor, giving him an aura of ageless wisdom that belied his young age.

“My humble citizens of the empire,” he called out to his subjects, “it does me great honor to report that the rebellion of the southern provinces has been thoroughly crushed into oblivion!” The crowd rejoiced at his words.

“As your emperor, I hereby make the promise that this glorious empire, which has ruled over heaven and earth for a thousand years, shall continue to rule for thousands more!”

He pointed at the lonely boulder. “Do you see that great boulder? I say to you, my people, that when the cliff holding that boulder finally crumbles and casts it into the sea, this city will still be here to bear witness!”

More rejoicing. “Our army is mighty. None can triumph over it. Not the barbarian hordes that dwell in the wilderness outside our borders, and certainly not the godless rebels within our borders who would try to destroy all we have built just to satisfy their own petty desires!”

The crowd jeered in agreement. “Forevermore will our enemies look upon our mighty works and despair! For we are invincible and will never bow down to the heathen! To the next thousand years, my friends!”

The crowd shouted in agreement, safe in the knowledge that their city would never be destroyed.

Author’s Commentary

Three down, two to go!

Not really much I have to say about this one. Here we may have reached the climactic third act of a five-act Shakespearian tragedy. The main character, humanity, has finally achieved true civilization, but at what cost?

A part of me wonders if the emperor quoting “Ozymandias” is a little too on the nose. I don’t know, what do you think?

As always, compare with the Cole painting above to see how well I did!