Final answer:
After the Western Roman Empire fell, Italy was ruled by various powers such as the Ostrogoths, but the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire continued. Money from the Roman state could have gone to several different entities, such as foreign rulers or provinces that were required to pay tribute.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the king died, half the money went to Rome, and the other half could have been distributed in a variety ways depending on the specific historical context and the king's will or the prevailing laws at the time. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, for instance, Italy, including the city of Rome, was no longer part of the empire, which had fragmented into various kingdoms. This included the Ostrogothic King Theodoric ruling Italy, while the Eastern Roman Empire, or the Byzantine Empire, persisted.
The economic policies of the Roman Empire, such as the collection of taxes and paying tribute to various parties—including foreign rulers like the kings of Egypt or in the context of war reparations as with Sweno, King of Norway—shaped the flow of money. The provincial system established after the First Punic War also influenced economic distribution, as conquered regions like Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica became provinces obligated to pay tribute.