The Last Legion (2007) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Ambrosinus argues that killing the young emperor would only make him a martyr and inspire resistance against Odoacer's rule. By convincing Odoacer to banish Romulus instead, Ambrosinus preserves the boy's life while keeping Rome calm. This strategy allows Romulus to survive and eventually reclaim his destiny.

• ambrosinus
• odoacer
• romulus
• execution
• banishment
• political strategy

While imprisoned in a villa on Capri built by Emperor Tiberius, Romulus explores the grounds with Ambrosinus's guidance and finds a hidden chamber. Inside stands a statue of Julius Caesar holding his legendary sword, which was forged by a skilled smith after Caesar's military conquests. An inscription reads that the sword was made for 'he who is destined to rule,' which Romulus interprets as a sign of his destiny.

Foreshadowing: Ambrosinus has been secretly searching for Caesar's sword throughout the film, seeking a ruler worthy of its power.

• caesar sword
• capri
• villa
• hidden chamber
• statue
• destiny
• inscription

Mira is an agent of the Eastern Roman Empire sent to help Romulus reach Constantinople for his safety. However, when the Eastern Empire betrays them by siding with Odoacer and withdrawing the promise of safe passage, Mira learns her masters have been dishonorable. This betrayal leads her to switch allegiance and join Romulus and Aurelius instead, choosing honor over her original mission.

• mira
• eastern empire
• betrayal
• constantinople
• allegiance

The Legio IX Hispana, stationed in Britain, chose to abandon their military duties and integrate into local society after Roman authority collapsed. They married local women, formed families, and became farmers rather than continuing to fight wars for an empire that could no longer support them. They lost their motivation to wage war, preferring a peaceful life over constant battle.

Foreshadowing: Ambrosinus mentions that the Ninth Legion might still remain loyal in Britain, away from Rome's turmoil.

• ninth legion
• farmers
• britain
• hadrian wall
• roman army
• loyalty

Years after the final battle, Romulus marries Igraine, the young Celtic girl he befriended, and takes the name 'Pendragon.' He and Aurelius, who married Mira, raise Romulus as their own child. Romulus grows up to become a wise ruler, and his son is the young boy to whom Merlin (Ambrosinus) tells the story, revealing that this boy is King Arthur. The film explicitly connects Romulus Augustus to the legendary King Arthur.

• romulus
• arthur
• pendragon
• merlin
• igraine
• king arthur legend

After killing Wulfila with Caesar's sword during the final battle, Romulus looks around at the destruction and death caused by the pursuit of power. He decides to disown the sword that had driven so much conflict and embeds it firmly in stone, symbolizing his rejection of the relentless ambition that brought so much turmoil. This act represents his choice to abandon the path of conquest and embrace a different destiny.

• caesar sword
• rejection
• power
• battle
• vortgyn
• wulfila

The original inscription on Caesar's sword read 'he who is destined to rule,' hinting at the sword's magical or prophetic nature. By the film's ending, after Romulus embeds the sword in stone, the inscription has worn away to simply read 'E S CALIBVR,' which is a Latin-style rendering of 'Excalibur', the legendary sword of King Arthur. This visual detail directly connects the movie to Arthurian mythology.

• caesar sword
• excalibur
• inscription
• calibur
• latin
• mythology

Vortgyn is a warlord seeking to dominate all of Britannia, and he learns about the prophecy surrounding Caesar's sword, that it belongs to 'he who is destined to rule.' Believing the sword could legitimize his claim to power and help him conquer Britain, Vortgyn conspires with Wulfila to exchange Romulus and Ambrosinus for the sword. His ambition to rule drives him to ally with the very Goths who pursue the Romans.

• vortgyn
• goths
• wulfila
• caesar sword
• britain
• ambition

Ambrosinus is revealed to be Merlin, the legendary wizard from Arthurian legend. After the events in Britain, he remains ageless, guiding the next generation. Years later, he appears on the battlefield as an old man telling the story to a young boy, Arthur, Romulus's son, revealing his true identity as Merlin who has lived through the ages to guide the future king.

Foreshadowing: Ambrosinus uses magical illusions throughout the film, hinting at supernatural abilities beyond simple tricks.

• ambrosinus
• merlin
• wizard
• king arthur
• ages
• storytelling

Igraine, a young Celtic girl Romulus befriends in the village, becomes instrumental in the final battle. When Vortgyn threatens her family and demands she betray Romulus's location, she initially complies under duress. However, when she learns the truth about Romulus's identity as Emperor, she informs the villagers and the blacksmith seeks vengeance. The blacksmith then rallies the village to support Aurelius's forces, providing the crucial army needed for the final confrontation.

• igraine
• villagers
• betrayal
• rally
• battle
• vortgyn
• romulus identity

Odoacer, commander of the barbarian Goths allied with Roman forces, makes this demand the day before Romulus's coronation. He seeks territorial control and power within the crumbling Western Roman Empire. Orestes's refusal leads directly to Odoacer's military attack on Rome, resulting in the fall of the empire and the deaths of Orestes and his wife.

• odoacer
• orestes
• goths
• italy
• territory
• demand
• empire

Aurelius, played by Colin Firth, is the leader of the Nova Invicta Legion (New Unconquered Legion) and an old friend of Senator Nestor. He is appointed head of the royal guard following Romulus's coronation but is presumed dead after the Battle of Ravenna when Odoacer attacks. He survives with three legionaries and becomes Romulus's primary protector and military leader throughout the journey to Britain.

• aurelius
• nova invicta legion
• colin firth
• nestor
• military leader