A Roman noble, Cethegus, tries to start a war, setting the Ostrogoths and their Queen, Amalasuntha, against the Byzantine Emperor Justinian; Cethegus wants to swoop in after they have destroyed each other and create a new Roman Empire from their combined kingdoms; however, he does not factor into his plans the vagaries of love and the personal integrity of the people in both kingdoms.
People in a small German village in the last valley to remain untouched by the devastating Thirty Years' War try to exist in peace with a group of soldiers occupying the valley.
A young German man who has just arrived in America, hopes to get over the collapse of his marriage. However, he soon discovers that his ex-wife is pursuing him.
In post-war Austria, an opportunistic young man begins working as a footman to a widowed countess and uses his sexual talents to better his station in life.
