Barbarossa (2009) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

When Alberto was a boy, he was nearly killed during a wild boar attack. Emperor Barbarossa saved his life, and in gratitude, the Emperor gifted Alberto an imperial dagger engraved with his own name. This act created a bond between them that would later become complicated as they found themselves on opposing sides of the conflict.

Foreshadowing: The dagger serves as a symbolic thread throughout the film, representing the complex loyalty and fate that binds the two men.

• Barbarossa
• Alberto da Giussano
• childhood
• dagger
• gift

At Würzburg, the prophetess Hildegard von Bingen warned Barbarossa that his name would endure in memory for centuries, but predicted his downfall through two symbols: a scythe would bring his defeat, and water would cause his death. These cryptic warnings prove prophetic, the scythe represents the Lombard League's victory at Legnano, and water refers to the serpent bite in Anatolia that kills him years later.

Foreshadowing: The prophecy establishes the film's tragic conclusion early, creating dramatic irony as viewers watch events unfold toward inevitable destiny.

• Hildegard von Bingen
• prophecy
• scythe
• water
• Barbarossa death

Barozzi, though initially part of Milan's leadership, harbors ambitions for power that exceed his station. He manipulates events to push Milan toward open rebellion against Barbarossa, believing that chaos will elevate his own influence. His betrayal is driven by cynical self-interest rather than any genuine loyalty to the Emperor, he simply sees opportunity in the conflict and exploits it ruthlessly, even killing Alberto's own brother Ranero to further his schemes.

Foreshadowing: Early scenes show Barozzi pushing Milan toward resistance while simultaneously preparing to profit from the resulting conflict.

• Barozzi
• treason
• Milan
• betrayal
• power
• Ranero

After Ranero's murder by Barozzi, Alberto sneaks into the German camp at night to confront the traitor. Barozzi openly admits his betrayal, and Alberto is captured along with other prisoners when German forces overrun the city. Barbarossa, recognizing the dagger Alberto carries, offers him a chance for mercy, but Alberto refuses to abandon his people.

Foreshadowing: This encounter sets up the personal confrontation between Alberto and Barozzi that will define their final battle.

• Alberto
• camp infiltration
• captured
• Barbarossa
• dagger

Tessa, one of the two sisters who welcomed Alberto home, is abducted by Barozzi from the nunnery where she sought refuge. He intends to force her into marriage to gain power over her family. Rather than submit to Barozzi's coercion, Tessa chooses to jump from a ledge and kills herself, becoming a tragic symbol of the personal costs of this political conflict.

Foreshadowing: Her death hardens Eleonora's resolve against Barozzi and fuels the resistance movement.

• Tessa
• death
• nunnery
• Barozzi
• abduction

Eleonora is captured by Barozzi and taken to the German camp at Alessandria, where she faces execution by burning at the stake under accusations of witchcraft. However, the Empress intercedes on her behalf, and a substitution saves her life, someone else dies in her place. This intervention preserves Eleonora so she can reappear at the Battle of Legnano, wounded but alive.

Foreshadowing: The Empress's mercy becomes crucial to Eleonora's survival and eventual reunion with Alberto.

• Eleonora
• captured
• Alessandria
• witchcraft
• Empress
• execution

After Milan's resistance galvanizes surrounding towns, Alberto travels to the Pontida Monastery where representatives from Parma, Cremona, Padua, Ferrara, and other Lombard cities gather to discuss unity. Under Alberto's leadership, they declare their creed of "Death or freedom" and form a united coalition, the Lombard League, to oppose Barbarossa's forces collectively.

Foreshadowing: This gathering establishes the coalition that will ultimately challenge and defeat the Emperor's army.

• Lombard League
• Pontida
• Alberto
• unity
• cities
• Company of Death

At Legnano, the Lombards employ new tactical approaches that counter the German cavalry advantage. They use steel lances and spears effectively against mounted knights, and the element of surprise works in their favor, the Germans believed victory was assured from two miles out. In the final confrontation, Alberto kills Barozzi by driving a stiletto into his throat, ending the treacherous threat to his family and to Milan.

Foreshadowing: The battle fulfills Hildegard's prophecy of the scythe bringing Barbarossa's defeat.

• Battle of Legnano
• Lombards
• victory
• Barozzi
• cavalry
• tactics

Fourteen years after his defeat at Legnano, Barbarossa embarks on a Crusade to the Holy Land. He meets his death on a distant riverbank in Anatolia when he is bitten by a serpent, fulfilling Hildegard's prophecy that "water" would bring his death. The Emperor who sought to unify Italy under his rule dies alone in foreign lands, while Alberto da Giussano lives a long life with Eleonora in Lombardy.

Foreshadowing: The prophecy at Würzburg explicitly foreshadows this fate through the imagery of water bringing death.

• Barbarossa
• death
• snake bite
• Anatolia
• prophecy
• water

Following the Lombard victory at Legnano and the subsequent peace, the Company of Death, the band of approximately 900 young men Alberto gathered from across the north, disbands. With their purpose fulfilled and Lombard freedom secured through the League's unity, the warriors return to their homes and normal lives. Alberto and Eleonora live together, their relationship having deepened through years of conflict and sacrifice.

Foreshadowing: The film's epilogue confirms this peaceful resolution after the hardships of war.

• Company of Death
• disband
• Alberto
• Eleonora
• Lombard
• peace